2026 Genesis GV70 vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Genesis GV70 showcased Hyundai's luxury arm's prowess in crafting premium vehicles, embodying the "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy. Its refined style was marked by a strong grille, a sleek profile, and a distinctive roofline. The GV70 was available in eight colours, including four matte hues and the new Ceres Blue, inspired by the first dwarf planet discovered by humanity. The front fascia featured a sharpened crest-shaped grille flanked by two-line headlamps with micro lens array lighting elements. The skid plate at the bottom added a bold design element, while the Sport trim's intake resembled a catfish's open mouth, contributing to its unique and polished appearance. Inside, the 2026 GV70's dashboard underwent significant changes, dominated by a 27-inch OLED screen. The interior lighting elements added a techy glow, and the Sport model featured carbon fibre trim and flashy interior colours, offering a luxurious and sporty look.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages depending on the powertrain, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package by default and options for Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 packages. The TX 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The exterior design retained a large grille with a spindle shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. The interior offered three colour options, ambient lighting, and suede trim over the glovebox. However, the material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastic elements present. The redesigned door handles, which reacted to pressure rather than pulling out, were a unique feature, though some might have preferred more attention to detail in the cabin.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 offered a base 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 on the 3.5T Sport trim delivered 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, providing exhilarating performance. The GV70 featured Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, along with a new Terrain Mode for Snow, Mud, and Sand settings. The Comfort mode offered a relaxing experience with direct steering feel, while Sport+ allowed for some wheel slippage. New hydro bushings and Highway Body Motion Control enhanced ride comfort, and the Road Preview feature improved suspension control.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid included a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had electronically controlled full-time AWD, while the TX 500h used Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes allowed for ride customization, with Sport mode increasing throttle sensitivity. The 500h offered adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 provided ample space for tall drivers in the front seats, though the 27-inch OLED screen was partially blocked by the steering wheel. The wide centre console featured a rotary shifter and infotainment dial, which could be confusing. Rear seats offered headroom and shoulder room, but legroom was limited, and the sloping roofline made the back seat feel cramped. Cargo space was adequate but less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious with a recline function, cupholders, and USB-C ports. A one-touch button facilitated third-row access, though folding the second row flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. All TX models could tow up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 featured a 27-inch OLED touchscreen infotainment system with over-the-air updates, customizable themes, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen displayed external camera angles, including a 360-degree Surround View Monitor. Digital gauges offered map views, ADAS readouts, and phone projection. Voice commands controlled climate, infotainment, and windows, though some features needed refinement. The GV70 included Genesis Digital Key and a fingerprint authentication system.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly but lacked some features, like manual satellite radio input. Steering wheel buttons controlled adaptive cruise control and volume, but their multi-functionality was confusing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but occasionally conflicted with the native audio system. Subscription services offered in-dash navigation, a voice assistant, and a digital key. The back-up camera provided a clear view, and the Advanced Park system handled parking duties. The TX featured seven USB ports and wireless charging, with a 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 included a comprehensive suite of advanced driver safety features, such as forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and more. The Genesis Highway Driving Assist II technology detected hands on the steering wheel and proved reliable. Although the 2026 model hadn't been tested by safety organizations, previous versions received high ratings, and similar expectations were held for the refreshed model.

The 2026 Lexus TX came standard with Safety System+ 3.0, featuring forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was initially confusing. The NHTSA rated the TX 350 and TX 500h five stars for crash safety, while the IIHS gave it an "Acceptable" score for the small overlap front crash test on the driver's side and a "Good" score for the passenger's side.