2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a more affordable option with its EX-L Hybrid trim, priced at $48,909, including fees. Its sporty black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim contrasted with a relatively basic interior. The Touring Hybrid, priced at $50,909, featured Canyon River Blue paint and no optional accessories. The CR-V's conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it appeared visually heavy over the front wheels. The rear quarter view, with Volvo-like taillights, offered an upscale appearance, complemented by 19-inch gloss black wheels.

Inside, the Touring model boasted leather seats with orange stitching and quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vents. The cabin exuded sophistication, with a satisfying door slam sound and knurled metallic trim on the knobs, making it a standout in the compact SUV segment.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself with sleek styling, featuring split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition. 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 and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 balanced SUV presence with luxury-car style, outperforming competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in finesse. The Electrified GV70, awarded the 2024 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year, maintained the same styling as gasoline models, with a shiny grille housing the charge port for convenient charging.

Inside, the GV70 offered a distinctive interior with quilted Nappa leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof. Unique features included an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller with a futuristic design. The dashboard's rounded cross-section added to its appeal, showcasing Genesis's effort to stand out.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to all four wheels, with a fuel efficiency rating of 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. However, during testing, it achieved 8.7 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The CR-V Hybrid offered a compliant ride with predictable handling, though the steering felt unusually heavy. While it was easy to drive, it lacked off-road capability and excitement for spirited driving.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered two gasoline engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-litre 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 and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode providing 483 horsepower. Despite its power, the GV70's chassis tuning didn't match its sporty rivals, feeling heavier and slower through corners. The ride quality was competent but not exceptional, with a suspension that crashed over bumps. The Electrified model offered adjustable regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. It featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front and rear seats. The CR-V's wide rear doors made it easy to install child safety seats, and the back seat provided excellent leg support and comfort. With a cargo area of 1,028 litres, expandable to 2,030 litres with the seats folded, it was among the most spacious in its class.

The Genesis GV70 provided comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than some competitors. It offered 818 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,611 litres with them folded. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack. The stylish interior design, however, limited small-item storage. The Electrified model featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. While the voice recognition system was basic, the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

The Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a rotary controller for easy navigation. A fingerprint scanner allowed for personalized driver profiles, though digital key functionality was not yet available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It featured forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS but received a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award. It came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 added automated lane-change capability. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.