2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It featured signature Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition, yet it was sleeker than its larger sibling, the 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 size and luxury style, outperforming competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in finesse and offering a more cohesive design than the Porsche Macan and Mercedes-Benz GLC. 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 boasted a distinctive interior with traditional luxury touches like quilted Nappa leather and a panoramic sunroof, complemented by unique details such as an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, presented a more understated appearance despite its $90,000 price tag. It featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers, but its overall design was unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunch swell. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different powertrains and efficiency levels. The RX 350h was the most efficient, while the RX 500h delivered the most power with 366 hp. All models came with standard AWD in Canada, and the RX 500h featured sport-tuned suspension and advanced AWD technology. Inside, the RX Hybrid offered a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting, though some controls were ergonomically challenging. The RX avoided the common single curved display approach, maintaining a unique interior design.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options, with the gasoline version featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a 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 AWD. The Electrified GV70, with front and rear electric motors, produced a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered vigorous acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match its sporty rivals, feeling larger and heavier through corners. 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 version, with the added benefit of adjustable regenerative braking for one-pedal driving.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance. The RX 350h, the least powerful, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same engine with a larger battery and more powerful electric motor, producing 304 hp and achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured sport-tuned suspension, 21-inch wheels, and advanced AWD, offering rewarding straight-line acceleration but lacking in fuel efficiency. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension provided a firm ride, and while capable on twisty roads, it filtered communication, making it less rewarding to drive.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It provided 818 litres of cargo space with rear seats in place, surpassing the Mercedes but slightly less than the Audi Q5. Folding the rear seats increased cargo volume to 1,611 litres, though less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70's battery pack minimally impacted interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The GV70's stylish interior design came at the cost of limited small-item storage, though it included features like automatic side bolsters for front seats in Sport mode.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats, while heated and ventilated, felt snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the automatic climate system's fan was loud. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which offered power-reclining, heated, and ventilated options. The RX provided ample rear-seat space for adults. Interior storage was practical, though the rear centre armrest lacked lining, potentially causing noise. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

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 grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen was intuitive, and a rotary controller provided an alternative interface. A fingerprint scanner allowed for individual driver profiles, though digital key functionality was not yet available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with high-tech features. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line included digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The steering wheel controls were distracting, but the Lexus Interface infotainment system was advanced, featuring a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a conversational digital voice assistant. The RX offered generous connected services, including a cloud-based navigation system. However, the test vehicle experienced a glitch with satellite radio display, and the head-up display was smaller than some rivals. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

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

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering up to ten years of free service with automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 was standard, featuring forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX Hybrid also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress, using braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS rated it Poor in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test. The RX offered a surround-view camera and lane-change assist, though the latter was slow to respond.