2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

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 aesthetics, outperforming competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC in terms of finesse and style. 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 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 Mazda CX-50 presented a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with significant design changes that included a lower, wider, and longer body, emphasizing its broad-shouldered proportions with square wheel arches and fake air vents. Available in three trim levels in Canada—GS-L, GT, and Meridian Edition—the CX-50 offered a fresher design than the CX-5. The Meridian Edition, in particular, enhanced the active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. Despite its rugged appearance, the CX-50 did not include suspension changes or additional drive modes for off-road capability. The interior featured a pleasing design with a BMW-like infotainment screen placement and impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, Mazda's aspiration to move upscale was still a work in progress, as evidenced by standard half-leatherette seats and a manually adjustable passenger seat in base models. The CX-50's interior design and material choices reflected a balance between ruggedness and practicality, appealing to buyers with active lifestyles.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options, with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 delivering 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 standard AWD with front and rear electric motors generating a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered vigorous straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning did not match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The GV70's suspension was reasonably comfortable but tended to crash over bumps rather than glide. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar dynamics despite its additional weight, offering adjustable regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo version offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, and a Towing mode on turbo models. The CX-50's towing capacity increased to 1,587 kilograms with the turbo engine. While sharing powertrains with the CX-5, the CX-50 offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving comfort than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires provided limited grip and increased noise, with additional wind noise from the roof platform. Despite these drawbacks, the CX-50 remained well-mannered, making it a practical choice for daily driving.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It provided 818 litres of cargo space with rear seats up, surpassing the Mercedes but slightly less than the Audi Q5. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 1,611 litres, less than its German competitors. 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, featuring an orb-like infotainment controller and rotary shifter, limited small-item storage but included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. Automatic side bolsters in the front seats added a touch of luxury, enhancing occupant security during spirited driving.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom in both rows. It provided 889 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,595 litres with seats folded, slightly less than the CX-5. The CX-50's cargo space trailed most competitors, although it offered a power liftgate for easier access. The Meridian Edition's rugged looks were not matched by additional cargo-area functionality, and the optional roof platform was challenging for shorter users. The interior featured a sensible layout with adequate storage, despite the presence of a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller. Mazda's design choices balanced practicality with style, appealing to buyers seeking a versatile and functional interior.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades 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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with an intuitive layout and a high-quality rotary controller. A fingerprint scanner allowed for individual driver profiles, although digital key functionality was not yet available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the centre console. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims offering wireless phone charging and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback for easier use. The infotainment system's dated graphics and basic functions made it suitable for buyers seeking simplicity, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration compensating for the native system's limitations.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were incomplete, but the 2023 GV70 received a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Highway Driving Assist. An optional Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability. Genesis also offered high-tech safety features like safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received lower scores for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were incomplete, with a five-star frontal crash-test rating and four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, with optional features like emergency lane-keeping and a 360-degree camera system.