Lexus RX Hybrid vs Genesis GV70

The 2026 Genesis GV70 showcased Hyundai's luxury arm's prowess in crafting a premium vehicle, embodying the brand's "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy. Its refined style was marked by a strong grille and fascia treatment, complemented by a sweeping profile and roofline. The GV70 was available in eight colours in Canada, including four matte hues and a new Ceres Blue, inspired by the first dwarf planet discovered by humanity. The car's face was sharpened with a redrawn crest-shaped grille, flanked by two-line headlamps with micro lens array lighting elements. The front fascia featured a bold skid plate, separated from the main grille by an intake that added a unique touch to the Sport trim. Inside, the GV70's dashboard was dominated by a 27-inch OLED screen, offering a luxurious look with redesigned interior lighting elements.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid aimed for high style with the RX 500h F Sport Performance, though it sometimes overshot with excessive flair. The controversy lay in the nose, where Lexus replaced its "spindle" grille with a large, black, trapezoidal item, flanked by slim headlights and air intakes. The profile was stylish, with flat flares surrounding each wheel and a character line suggesting motion. The floating roofline resolved into a rear spoiler, and the 500h sat on 21-inch wheels. Inside, the RX 500h offered Dark Graphite or Rioja Red leather, with a sporty element added by the perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals. The driver was surrounded by soft-touch materials and a pair of digital screens.

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. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup. The 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 in 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. Hydro bushings and Highway Body Motion Control enhanced ride comfort, while the Road Preview feature used forward-facing cameras to control the electronic suspension system.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid, specifically the RX 500h, matched the power of some luxury crossover SUV rivals with a different approach. It combined a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine generating 271 horsepower with two electric motors, achieving a total of 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The front motor sat between the engine and the six-speed automatic transmission, while the rear motor was part of an eAxle providing all-wheel drive. The RX 500h offered a 5.9-second 0-96 km/h time, with steering wheel shift paddles for downshifting. Standard adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering, and a firmer suspension contributed to its performance, though the ride could become overly firm on bumpy roads.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 provided ample space for tall drivers in the front seats, with most controls easily reachable. However, the 27-inch OLED screen was partially blocked by the steering wheel, necessitating a good driving position. The wide centre console featured a rotary shifter and dial for the infotainment screen, though it could be confusing when shifting gears. The rear seats offered headroom, elbow room, and shoulder room for six-foot occupants, but rear legroom was not the car's strongest suit. Cargo space was adequate but less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid's interior was comfortable, with front-seat occupants enjoying eight-way power-adjustable sport seats with heating and cooling. The rear seats provided good legroom, though fitting three adults could be uncomfortable. The RX 500h offered 838 litres of cargo space with the second row up, expanding to 1,308 litres with the seats folded down, which was average for the class.

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 various external camera angles, including a 360-degree Surround View Monitor. A customizable set of digital gauges sat in front of the driver, with additional voice commands for climate control, infotainment, and windows. The GV70 included Genesis Digital Key and a fingerprint authentication system.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid in Canada came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch touchscreen, and a standard head-up display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Lexus Intelligent Assist for voice commands. The touchscreen was responsive, though the steering wheel's touch-sensitive pads were frustrating. Lexus provided a three-year Drive Connect subscription with Google points of interest and real-time traffic information.

The 2026 Genesis GV70 boasted a comprehensive package of advanced driver safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance assist. The Genesis Highway Driving Assist II technology featured capacitive sensors on the steering wheel. Although the 2026 model had not been tested by the IIHS, the 2025 GV70 was rated as a Top Safety Pick+, and past versions earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane keep assist. Standard features included front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but scored "Poor" in the updated moderate front overlap test by the IIHS, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick award.