2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It retained key Genesis styling features like split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition, yet it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV presence and luxury style, outperforming competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC in finesse and brand representation. The Electrified GV70, recognized as the 2024 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year, maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a unique grille housing the charge port for convenient charging. Inside, the GV70 offered a distinctive interior with traditional luxury touches like quilted Nappa leather and a panoramic sunroof, complemented by unique design elements such as an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since its 2021 debut, aligning more closely with its siblings like the Telluride and EV9. The Sorento featured a robust new front end with vertically stacked LED headlights and wing-like amber daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating appearance. The rear saw subtle updates with new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's trims in Canada included LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, with the latter two offering more aggressive looks and off-road capabilities. Inside, the Sorento boasted a new dashboard with a clean, horizontal design, and combined gauge cluster and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. Higher trims featured twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and seats, enhancing the Sorento's upscale feel compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 retained its powertrain options, offering a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors delivering a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning did not match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The ride quality was reasonable but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar dynamics to the gasoline model, despite being heavier. It offered adjustable regenerative braking with steering-wheel paddles, allowing for one-pedal driving, and a range of 380 kilometres.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's mechanical components remained largely unchanged, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, making it less satisfying. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, mated to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic. This setup provided lively performance and ample passing power, with zero-to-100 times in the mid-seven-second range. All Sorentos in Canada came with AWD, with ground clearance varying by trim. The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires and improved engine cooling, allowing for a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. While the gas-powered Sorentos had average fuel economy, the Hybrid and PHEV versions offered better efficiency.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. Second-row legroom was slightly more than the X3 but less than the Q5 and GLC. The GV70 provided 818 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, surpassing the Mercedes and BMW but falling short of the Audi. Folding the rear seats yielded 1,611 litres, less than its German rivals. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable in the first two rows, though tight in the third. It offered more legroom in the front and second rows than most two-row SUVs, with 1,052 millimetres in the front and 1,060 mm in the second row. The third row had 752 mm of legroom, more than the Toyota Highlander and Volkswagen Tiguan. The Sorento's third row was suitable for children, making it a practical choice for families. With optional captain's chairs, the second row allowed easy access to the third row. The Sorento's new dashboard was ergonomic, with logical controls and ample small-item storage. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering 357 litres, but expanded to 1,090 to 1,274 litres with it folded, and up to 2,139 litres with all seats down.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a straightforward infotainment system with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller provided an alternative input method. A fingerprint scanner allowed for individual driver profiles, though digital key functionality was not yet available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2024 Kia Sorento adopted a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a redesigned software system called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC). Lower trims had a gauge cluster with two dials and a 4.3-inch display, while higher trims featured a second 12.3-inch digital display. The CCnC system prioritized popular features on the home screen and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported over-the-air updates and included USB-C outlets in all three rows. Higher trims had a Bose 12-speaker audio system, and Digital Key 2.0 was available on the top trims, allowing for keyless access and driving.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. An advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system was available, adding automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured an extensive suite of standard and optional safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-following and lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Advanced options included navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2 with automated lane changes. The Sorento's adaptive cruise control systems learned from driver behaviour and offered precise distance maintenance. Available options included surround-view cameras and a rear-view camera mirror. The IIHS had not fully evaluated the 2024 Sorento, but it received "Good" ratings in several tests. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2024 model.