2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Genesis GV80

The 2024 Genesis GV80 was a luxury SUV that offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6. In Canada, both engines were available with the Advanced trim, while the Prestige trim was exclusive to the V6. The pricing ranged from $76,000 to $92,500, and the all-inclusive, no-haggle pricing included five years of scheduled maintenance and at-home concierge service. The GV80 3.5T test vehicle arrived in the top-shelf U.S. trim, Prestige Signature, which was not available in Canada. The Prestige trim offered six exterior colours and stylish 22-inch wheel designs, with interior details like diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and metallic-finish accents. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display underscored the GV80’s luxury status. Despite the absence of the Prestige Signature trim in Canada, the regular Prestige trim was recommended for its luxury appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a throwback to an earlier era, with its design last updated in 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, the interior showed its age with old-school styling and outdated technology. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen were reminiscent of a bygone era. The interior had hard plastic surfaces, but cushioned panels and grained seat upholstery provided some comfort. While the 4Runner's design leaned heavily on nostalgia, it lacked the modern touches found in competitors like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system. The GV80 provided five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow, and had a ground clearance of 20.5 centimetres. It could tow up to 2,720 kilograms when properly equipped. The GV80 3.5T delivered a rewarding driving experience with swift acceleration and commendable grip from its P265/40R22 all-season tires. The adaptive damping suspension and larger front brakes enhanced its athleticism, while the two-spoke steering wheel design added comfort during long drives.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. It was equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, which limited its responsiveness compared to competitors with more advanced transmissions. The TRD Pro model featured standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. While the 4Runner excelled off-road, its on-road performance was less impressive. The soft suspension tuning resulted in noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and an unsettling amount of nosedive under hard braking. The 4Runner's handling suffered from body roll and residual bounces, but its tall tire sidewalls and soft suspension absorbed larger road imperfections.

In 2024, the Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige was the only model offering a third-row seat. Depending on the trim level, the GV80 featured real or Nappa leather upholstery. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, triple-zone climate control, and a power hands-free liftgate. The Prestige trim added ventilation to the rear seats and power-operated side window shades. However, the GV80's seats were uncomfortable for long trips, and the rear seats didn't recline far enough for a relaxing ride. The cabin offered commendable storage space, with 988 litres of cargo space behind the second row and up to 2,378 litres with the back seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior design appeared outdated, but its layout was user-friendly. Large climate-control dials and protruding driveline levers were easy to use, even with gloves. The 4Runner provided excellent outward visibility, with front roof pillars pushed forward for an expansive view. The front seats offered ample space, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second-row seats provided abundant legroom, but headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner offered a third row on select trims and had numerous storage options, including cupholders, a large armrest bin, and deep door pockets. It could hold 1,337 litres of cargo behind the rear seats and up to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases in the cargo area was a drawback.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though its placement required using a control dial on the centre console. The standard infotainment package included a navigation system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GV80 also offered Genesis Connected Services, wireless smartphone charging, and a digital key system. The Prestige trim included a Lexicon premium sound system, which would be replaced by Bang & Olufsen components in 2025. A head-up display was standard in Canada, providing blind-spot warnings and other helpful information.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model came with a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but road noise often obscured the music. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with dials for Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. The 4Runner's infotainment system lacked the off-road-specific apps and gauges found in competitors, but it offered essential features for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 came equipped with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) and safety features. Highlights included a camera-based Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The HDA system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist and lane-change assist, though it was less desirable in heavy traffic. The Blind-Spot View Monitor displayed a video feed within the digital instrument panel when signaling a lane change. The GV80 also offered a Remote Smart Parking Assist system, allowing the SUV to park itself with the driver standing outside. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the GV80 a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star overall rating.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings. The NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but noted "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, the system's alerts were often oversensitive, requiring adjustments for optimal performance.