2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Genesis GV70 was a standout in the Genesis lineup, offering a sleek design that balanced luxury and SUV presence. Its styling featured signature Genesis elements like split headlights and a large grille, but it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirks of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70's design effectively communicated its luxury brand status, unlike some competitors that relied on brand prestige or struggled with SUV proportions. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling, with a unique grille housing the charge port, making it convenient for charging. Inside, the GV70 boasted 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 controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in five trims, debuted in 2024 with a chunky, boxy design featuring a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. Its H-shaped LED headlamps and taillights fit Hyundai's design aesthetic, with bright color options like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned too low for visual balance. Each trim had specific wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, with the XRT trim adding chrome and black accents. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except for the Calligraphy trim with captain's chairs. Interior materials ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather. While the fit and finish were generally good, some squeaks and rattles were noted. The Santa Fe featured physical HVAC dials, but fan speed controls were less intuitive, requiring precise pressing of flat icons.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered two gasoline engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing 429 horsepower, with a Boost Mode providing 483 horsepower for short bursts. Despite its power, the GV70's chassis tuning didn't match its sporty rivals, feeling heavier and less agile through corners. The ride quality was reasonable but not exceptional, with the suspension crashing over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar driving dynamics, with adjustable regenerative braking and a 236-mile range.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD-only. The Santa Fe Hybrid combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for 231 horsepower. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners with responsive steering, but turbo lag and occasional transmission delays were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance for off-road capability, but it wasn't suited for rugged terrain.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats up, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but features like automatic side bolsters in Sport mode added to the luxury experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample space, with the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats had adjustable cushion angles, and both the second and third rows could be folded for up to 79.6 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, making it easier to load large items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT trim capable of 4,500 pounds. The base SE trim was basic, but higher trims offered features like heated seats, a sunroof, and a premium audio system.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a rotary controller for added convenience. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and a digital key for smartphone access.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with a digital gauge cluster on higher trims. The infotainment system was easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included USB-C ports and wireless charging. A digital rearview mirror and head-up display were available on higher trims. The Bluelink app provided remote connectivity and over-the-air updates.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, with four-star frontal and rollover ratings from NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system added lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe included standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The NHTSA gave the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories. The top trims offered a Blind-View Monitor and an expanded driver monitor system.