2022 Genesis GV70 vs. 2021 Acura RDX

2022 Genesis GV70 ・ Photo by Genesis

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is an all-new luxury crossover with seating for up to five people. It has a beautiful interior with plenty of room to get comfortable and ample space for cargo. There’s a choice of two responsive powertrains across a range of four well-equipped trims. It also has good standard safety and infotainment.

The 2021 Acura RDX is also a five-person luxury crossover that’s available in four trims with a single powertrain across the lineup. It has a solid suite of standard safety features and a comprehensive infotainment system. These two vehicles are well-matched. Let’s take a closer look and see which of these luxury crossovers is the best.

Four Trims With Varying Features

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is all-wheel-drive only with two turbocharged engines across four trims. It starts at $41,000 with a 12-way power driver’s seat and 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. The top trim is priced from $52,750 with a sport appearance package, leather seats with mesh inserts, and haptic carbon trims.

The 2021 Acura RDX offers front-wheel or all-wheel drive on all four trims with a single powertrain. The base trim is $38,400 with 12-way power seats and a 10.2-inch infotainment display screen. The top trim is priced at $46,200 with 16-way power seats and a 16-speaker premium audio system. We give this one to the RDX for its lower pricing, even with all-wheel drive.

: Acura RDX

Photo by Acura

More Engines Offer More Choice

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is powered by a choice of two engines that are both available across the full lineup. The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The optional engine is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

The 2021 Acura RDX is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cyliner engine with 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. This is your only option with the RDX. Although a powerful and responsive engine, the GV70 wins for its choice of two engines, both of which are more powerful.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

Fuel Economy That Keeps You on Budget

The 2022 Genesis GV70 gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined with the 2.5-liter engine. Choose the 3.5-liter and figures drop to 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined.

The 2021 Acura RDX gets up to 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. Equipped with all-wheel drive, it gets 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. The GV70 wins for getting the same fuel economy with more power and all-wheel drive as the RDX does with less power and front-wheel drive.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

What if You Don’t Want All-Wheel Drive?

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is all-wheel drive only. The 2021 Acura RDX is available with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive across all four trims. If you go with front-wheel drive, then you save $2,000, which may be enough to make a higher, more well-equipped trim fit into your budget.

There are lots of benefits to all-wheel drive, especially for those who live where it snows. It makes handling winter weather easier and even helps when roads are simply wet. There are, however, those who don’t need that kind of capability. If you live in a more temperate climate and don’t want to pay for something you don’t want, only the RDX gives you that option.

: Acura RDX

Photo by Acura

The Ride and Handling of a Luxury Car

The 2022 Genesis GV70 combines the comfort of a luxury car with two turbocharged engines. Whichever engine you choose, the GV70 has crisp handling that engages the driver without becoming tiring. The ride is composed so both driver and passengers can relax and enjoy the trip.

The 2021 Acura RDX also provides a quiet ride with a responsive engine. Though less powerful, it’s equally engaging with handling that leans more toward sporty. The interior leans that direction, too, with more heavily bolstered seats. The suspension system smooths out the worst of the road’s imperfections and makes it easy to relax. This is close, but we give it to the GV70 for its more refined, quieter ride.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

It All Comes Down to Rear Legroom

The 2022 Genesis GV70 and 2021 Acura RDX both have luxurious interiors. Trims are attractive with standard leatherette seating surfaces, 12-way power front seats that are also heated, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Options include 16-way power front seats with ventilation and heated rear seats. With similar features, it all comes down to space.

The challenge in a crossover isn’t front-seat space so much as it is room for rear passengers. The RDX has slightly more room up front, but there’s more headroom and legroom for rear passengers in the GV70. It makes this a better choice for those who frequently have rear-seat passengers, especially if they have plans to carry three adults.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

Plenty of Room for Cargo

The 2022 Genesis GV70 has 28.9 cubic feet for cargo behind the rear seats. Those seats split fold 60/40 to easily accomodate cargo and people. Fold them completely and there’s 56.9 cubic feet for cargo. The GV70 can also tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Acura RDX also has plenty of room for cargo. There’s 29.5 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. Cargo capacity expands to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It can also tow, but only up to 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. Despite its slightly larger interior cargo capacity, we give the win to the GV70 for its significantly higher maximum tow rating.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

Infotainment Size Matters

The 2022 Genesis GV70 has a standard 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. There’s also Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and a 9-speaker premium audio system. The screen is easy to see with good sensitivity and logically organized menus. It’s quickly mastered and intuitive enough that even passengers unfamiliar with the system will find it easy to use.

The 2021 Acura RDX has a 10.2-inch infotainment display screen. This is controlled by a touchpad located on the center console. Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 9-speaker audio. Navigation is not standard and the lack of a touchscreen interface makes the system difficult to use. The GV70 not only has a touchscreen, but it’s also a significantly larger screen.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

Extensive Standard Safety

The 2022 Genesis GV70 comes with a wide range of standard safety features. These include forward collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, lane following assist, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and safe exit assist.

The 2021 Acura RDX has standard collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and auto high beams. That’s a solid suite of safety features, but it does not include blind spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic monitoring on the base trim.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

And The Winner Is…

The 2021 Acura RDX is a spacious and luxurious 5-person crossover. It has a wide range of standard and available features and offers a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It’s also more affordably priced, making it easier to fit into your budget.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 has a smoother ride, stronger engine options, and better fuel economy. Infotainment features a large touchscreen that’s easy to use, and it has a higher tow rating. It doesn’t offer front-wheel drive, and it has higher pricing across the lineup, but it still has more to offer, which gives it the win.

: 2022 Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis