Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Genesis GV70

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was priced at just over $50,000 for the base Hybrid LE, with the Limited trim reaching $61,800 in Canada. It featured minimal appearance changes, with a new Cypress Green paint colour. The design was criticized for being overly styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was described as visually obnoxious, with mismatched textures and tones, and controls that felt inexpensive. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was noted for its quietness on the road.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV70 stood out with its sleek design and distinctive styling features, such as split headlights and a large grille. It was praised for balancing SUV size with luxury-car style, offering a more refined appearance than competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a unique grille housing the charge port. Inside, the GV70 featured a distinctive interior with luxury touches and innovative design elements, such as an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. It offered standard AWD and could operate solely on electricity at low speeds. However, the gas engine's torque was limited, affecting high-speed passing power and towing capability. The Highlander Hybrid featured Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, but its performance was described as uninspiring, with soft suspension and a lack of engaging driving dynamics. Fuel economy was a focus, though real-world consumption exceeded official estimates.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options, with a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 300 horsepower and an available 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp. The Electrified GV70 featured electric motors delivering 429 hp, with a Boost Mode providing 483 hp. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning was less sporty than rivals. The suspension was reasonably comfortable but lacked the refinement of higher-tier luxury SUVs. The Electrified model included adjustable regenerative braking, enhancing its driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, though the third row was best for occasional use. It featured standard three-zone climate control and heated front seats, with additional comfort features in higher trims. The interior offered practical storage solutions, though some design choices were criticized for complexity and lack of lining. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,387 litres available with seats folded.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 provided competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than some rivals but more front-seat legroom. Cargo capacity was substantial, though slightly less than the Audi Q5. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by its battery pack. The stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but features like automatic side bolsters in Sport mode added to its appeal.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The system supported over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A Drive Connect service plan offered advanced features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The JBL sound system provided decent audio quality, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an intuitive layout and a high-quality rotary controller. A fingerprint scanner allowed for personalized driver profiles, though digital key functionality was not yet available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist, among others. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring high safety standards.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and electrified models. While full NHTSA ratings were pending, the gasoline model had received a five-star overall safety rating for 2023. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV70 also offered advanced features like safe exit assist and a sophisticated Highway Driving Assist 2 system.