2022 Genesis GV70 vs. 2022 Lexus NX

2022 Genesis GV70 ・ Photo by Genesis

The 2022 Genesis GV70 is an all-new luxury SUV with seating for five passengers. It has standard all-wheel drive across a range of four trims with two responsive powertrain options. There’s a large infotainment touchscreen with smartphone connectivity and good standard safety. Genesis isn’t as well-known as other luxury automakers, but the GV70 is a solid entry in the segment.

The 2022 Lexus NX is also an all-new luxury SUV that received a thorough redesign this year. It’s available with a wide range of powertrains including gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. There’s an all-new infotainment system and numerous standard safety features. Let’s take a closer look at these two luxury SUVs to see which is the best.

A Wider Range of Trims at a Lower Starting Price

The Genesis GV70 offers four trims, all with standard all-wheel drive. Base trims have a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, 12-way power driver’s seat, and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with a starting price of $41,000. The top Sport Prestige has a more powerful 3.5-liter, leather seats, and a sport appearance package at $52,750.

The Lexus NX has four powertrains across 12 trims. All-wheel drive is standard with optional front-wheel drive on the base 250, which has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder priced from $37,950. The 350 adds a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder at $39,550. The 350h hybrid comes in at $41,050 while the 450h+ plug-in hybrid is $55,560. More choices and a lower starting price put the Lexus NX ahead.

: Lexus NX

Photo by Lexus

Only One Offers Hybrid Options

The Genesis GV70 has two powertrains. The base engine is a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Optional 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 and offer strong performance.

The Lexus NX has four powertrains starting with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 203 horsepower. There’s also a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 275 horsepower. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid feature a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with electric motors for 239 and 302 horsepower, respecitvely. Though less powerful, the Lexus NX wins for the availability of a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain.

: Lexus NX

Photo by Lexus

All-Wheel Drive Only

The Genesis GV70 is available exclusively with all-wheel drive. Though this is fine for those who live where winter weather brings snow, not everyone needs that capability. Those who don’t need it will still be paying for this feature.

The Lexus NX offers a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive on its base trim. The rest of the lineup is all-wheel drive only. Those who live in sunnier regions will appreciate being able to choose a trim without all-wheel drive, and they’ll appreciate the lower starting price.

: Lexus NX

Photo by Lexus

The Smooth Ride of a Luxury Car

Both the Lexus NX and the Genesis GV70 are luxury suvs that offer a smooth, comfortable ride. There’s a minimum of road and wind noise that intrudes into the cabin, so passengers are easily able to relax and enjoy the trip. luxury cars should coddle their passengers, and both of these SUVs meet that expectation.

Adding to that luxury feel is handling that keeps these SUVs composed at all times. Even during quick highway maneuvers at higher speeds, there’s minimum bounce and roll. They’re well-matched, but the Genesis GV70 has an exceptional ride quality. It offers a more serene experience with smoother handling that gives it the edge over the Lexus NX.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

The Efficiency of a Hybrid

The Lexus NX achieves varying fuel economy depending on the powertrain. The 2.5-liter gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined while the 2.4-liter sees a drop to 25 mpg combined. The hybrid sees an increase to 39 mpg combined while the plug-in earns 84 mpge.

The Genesis GV70 gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined with the base 2.5-liter engine. The optional 3.5-liter drops that figure to 21 mpg combined. These more powerful engines can’t match the fuel economy of the Lexus NX, and there are no hybrid options.

: Lexus NX

Photo by Lexus

Beautiful and Welcoming Interiors

The interior of the Lexus NX is quiet and comfortable with seating for up to five people. Front seats are sporty with heavy bolstering to hold you in place on the corners. Rear seats work for three adults on shorter trips but do better when there are only two along for the ride. Materials are high-quality with plenty of visual appeal.

The Genesis GV70 likewise has seating for five with comparable roominess. Front seats aren’t quite as heavily bolstered, which makes them better for larger passengers. Trims are top-notch throughout, with a higher level of refinement than the Lexus. While both provide a luxury experience, the Genesis does so at a more elevated level.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

More Room for Cargo and a Higher Tow Rating

The Genesis GV70 offers a generous amount of room for cargo with 28.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 56.9 cubic feet behind the front seats. It can also tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The Lexus NX has 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats with 46.9 cubic feet behind the front seats. Gas models can tow up to 2,000 pounds properly equipped while hybrids are not rated for towing. It simply doesn’t match up when it comes to cargo.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Intuitive Infotainment Offerings

The Genesis GV70 has a standard 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 9-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless device charging. Upgrades include an 18-speaker Lexicon audio system. It’s easy to learn with a responsive touchscreen and well-organized menus.

The Lexus NX debuts an all-new system that features a 9.8-inch touchscreen with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the option for wireless charging. A 14.0-inch touchscreen is optional. Though both are strong offerings, Genesis wins for its larger standard screen size.

: Genesis GV70

Photo by Genesis

Lots of Standard Safety Features

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

The Lexus NX also has a long list of standard safety features that includes road sign assist, pre-collision with pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorcycle detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, intelligent high beams, dynamic radar cruise control with curve speed management, risk avoidance emergency steer assist, left turn oncoming vehicle detection and braking, and right/left oncoming pedestrian detection and braking. The Lexus NX wins for having more standard safety features.

: Lexus NX

Photo by Lexus

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Lexus NX and 2022 Genesis GV70 are well-matched competitors. They both have luxurious, roomy interiors with plenty of standard amenities and smooth quiet rides. The Genesis GV70 is more refined with stronger infotainment, more powerful engines, and more room for cargo.

The Lexus NX comes out ahead with a wider range of trims, the option for two fuel-efficient hybrids, and a lower starting price. It also has an abundance of standard safety features and available front-wheel drive.

: Lexus NX

Photo by Lexus