For almost two decades, the Lexus RX was the biggest-selling luxury SUV in the United States. Then, all of a sudden, the Tesla Model Y came along three years ago and snatched away the crown. Lexus still sells loads of RXs and it’s hard to truly call the very basic-feeling Tesla “luxurious,” but automakers rightly understand that compact-to-midsize luxury crossovers are a segment where buyers are eager to sample electrics. They’ve launched an armada of juiced crossovers to compete, and two of the newest are the Genesis Electrified GV70 and the Lexus RZ.
While Lexus has long been the king of luxury hybrids, the RZ450e is its first-ever EV. Meanwhile, Genesis has launched three electrics in the past two years, including the smaller GV60 crossover and the Electrified G80 sedan. Lexus sells many more vehicles than Genesis (258,704 to 56,410 according to data from Motor Intelligence), but the ascendant Korean brand has given shoppers many reasons to visit its showrooms in recent years. Its characterful vehicles stand out, and they come backed by a lengthier warranty and complimentary service offerings than Lexus.
While the gas-powered GV70 competes with the smaller Lexus NX, both the Electrified GV70 and the RZ450e are natural opposites. They’re both posh, quiet and stylish machines of similar size (the RZ is 3.6 inches longer overall than the GV70) which are aimed at almost exactly the same well-heeled buyers.
Lexus will introduce a slightly less costly single-motor RZ 300e for 2024 with more range, but it’ll also have less power and it isn’t quite at dealerships yet.
In the meantime, Forbes Wheels has extensively driven both existing SUVs, even taking the Electrified GV70 off-roading (it can, but neither of these SUVs are really meant for that), but we recently got to put both vehicles to the test head-to-head at the Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Drive Revolution event. This group comparison test of 14 electrified vehicles gave us the perfect chance to see how these two elegant EVs compare. Here’s what we found.
Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: How Do They Drive?
Both of these SUVs are dual-motor electrics, which means they both pack an instant rush of torque when you step on the accelerator. They’re quiet and smooth riders, too, but their driving personalities are very different.
Lexus loyalists will find a familiar driving experience, as the RZ 450e cossets and reassures just like its gas-powered siblings, for better or for worse. With 308 horsepower, 320 pound-feet of torque and a zero-to-60 time of just 4.6 seconds, it’s quick but it doesn’t rush, and it doesn’t want to. The steering is light and while it goes where you point it, there’s a fair bit of body roll and it feels a little floaty at times. Sport mode makes the steering slightly heavier, but doesn’t change the handling. Ride comfort is superb, as you’d expect. The RZ 300e will have almost a third less power, so expect it to be slower, but it should ride just as well.
The RZ excels at quiet comfort, but that’s all it does. The Electrified GV70 can do that too, but has more tricks up its sleeve, in part because it just has far more power. Its dual motors are good for 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, plus short bursts of 483 hp if you hit the “boost” button on the steering wheel. Acceleration is nearly as brisk as the Tesla Model Y Performance, and the GV70 feels instantly alive. Boost mode’s rush of power can’t help but make you smile.
Better still, the Electrified GV70 handles very well, with precise steering and agile responses from its well-damped suspension. You don’t have to drive the GV70 like a hooligan to enjoy it, but if you want to, it’s got your back. If there’s a demerit, it’s that the big brakes don’t have great pedal feel, but many people will put the crossover into one-pedal mode. Sadly, the Lexus doesn’t have a setting for one-pedal driving.
Our driving verdict: GV70, hands down.
Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: Range & Charging
If there’s an area where the Lexus is weakest, it’s here. The RZ450e, with its 71.4-kWh battery pack, is rated for a maximum range of 220 miles with its standard 18-inch wheels. Opt for the 20-inch units and the range rating falls to 196 miles. The Genesis comes standard with 20-inch rims but delivers 236 miles of range from its 77.4-kWh battery. The RZ 300e will offer 266 miles of range from it’s slightly different 72.8-kWh pack, but only with the 18-inch wheels. On 20s, it falls to 224.
Worse still, the Lexus can only fast charge at up to 145 kW, so it maxes out on a 150-kW fast charger. The Genesis’s 800-volt architecture means can use 350-kW fast chargers to their full capacity. Under ideal conditions, the GV70 can charge from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes, while the Lexus takes 30. At home on a Level 2 charger, the GV70 can go from 10 to 100% in about 7.5 hours, but the RZ needs 9.5. The lack of a one-pedal mode also dings the Lexus, as it can’t recover some of the energy it uses along the road.
Neither of these machines are at the front of the pack on range, and the Genesis uses its electrons a little less efficiently (91 MPGe to the RZ’s 115), but it’s clear where the advantage lies.
Our range & charging verdict: GV70, again by a mile.
Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: Style
Ever since it debuted two years ago in gas-powered form, the GV70 has been a style standout. All those parabolas and that muscular stance are unmistakable on the road, and the Electrified GV70 adds pretty new wheels and a distinctive diamond-pattern fake grille. But Genesis, for now, only sells the Electrified GV70 in shades of white or gray (though more colors are coming). The angular, handsome RZ is less slinky, but unmistakably a Lexus. It offers splashes of color that highlight its exterior design, particularly Ether blue, but black hides all of its best details.
Inside, the Genesis’ cabin is again full of ovals and pleasing around shapes, all swathed in fine materials. The knurling on the knobs, the fine metal strips and beautifully machined speaker grilles are all rich-feeling touches. It looks more expensive than it actually is. Lexus’ cabin is full of vast open expanses of flat surface and a dash dominated by the huge 14-inch infotainment screen. The quality and feel of the RZ’s materials are excellent, with lots of Ultrasuede or NuLuxe leather, and again there are cool colors where Genesis offers only white or black.
The RZ looks and feels nice inside, but it doesn’t feel as special as the Electrified GV70.
Our luxury & style verdict: GV70, but not everyone will agree.
Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: Comfort & Practicality
Both of these SUVs are overachievers on comfort. They’re both whisper-quiet on the road, have silky smooth rides and very comfortable, supportive front seats. The difference, then, really comes down to the back seats and how well they can handle cargo.
The Lexus’ added length, which nudges it a little closer to midsize, makes the difference. By the numbers, it has only marginally more space, 37.5 inches of legroom and 39.7 inches of headroom to the Genesis’ 36.6 and 38.3. In practice, the Lexus’s back seat just feels bigger. The seat padding is no less comfy or supportive in the Electrified GV70, there’s just slightly less room. The Lexus also has marginally more room up front, but the difference is less noticeable.
Behind the rear seats, the Lexus boasts a larger cargo hold by volume, 34.9 cubic-feet to the Genesis’ 28.7. In practice, it’s only a little more room, but it does matter, because if you’re hauling a family of four you need as much room as you can get back there. Fold the seats down and the holds are about the same, with a slight advantage to Genesis.
Our comfort & practicality verdict: Lexus, but not by much.
Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: Infotainment & Technology
Genesis and Lexus both fit their SUVs with modern, easy-to-use infotainment systems, but they take different approaches, with the Electrified GV70 being the more old-school of the pair.
A 14.5-inch wide, but not very tall, screen perches atop the Genesis’ dashboard, running a clean, fast, and easy-to-learn operating system. The actual screen is a bit of a reach, but you can also use a rotary dial on the console and buttons on the steering wheel to control various functions. There are redundant physical controls for almost everything, and there’s no sense of “digital overkill” even though it offers plenty of features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are built in but require cords. Voice commands are decent, but unremarkable.
Lexus’ screen measures only 14 inches wide, but it’s taller and much more prominent. The bright graphics and easy-to-use system are vastly superior to the small screens and touchpads of late 2010s-era Lexuses, and the automaker has programmed in a fantastic digital assistant that works as well as the latest from BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are Apple and Amazon music streaming compatibility, but Lexus has also removed most physical controls other than the volume and temperature knobs. It’s still better than the Model Y’s purely digital interface.
Both vehicles come packed to the gills with active-safety systems, including everything from the basics of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection (front and rear) and cross-traffic alerts to adaptive cruise control with proper Level 2 assistance technology. The Lexus comes with five USB ports to the Genesis’ three.
Our infotainment & technology verdict: They’re evenly matched.
Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: Overall Value
Both automakers offer two trims each on these SUVs, but the Genesis is roughly $8,000 costlier than the RZ 450e, a big gulf to overcome and one that will be even larger for the RZ 300e.
Lexus charges $59,650 for the RZ450e Premium and $65,150 for the RZ450e Luxury (with pricing still set for 2023) while the 2024 RZ 300e will start at $55,150, a price closer to the Mercedes-Benz EQB. Meanwhile, Genesis’ Electrified GV70 Advanced rings in at $67,645 and the Electrified G70 Prestige hits $74,445 (all prices including destination).
As the Electrified GV70 Prestige comes very well equipped, with everything from gorgeous 20-inch wheels to a panoramic sunroof and oodles of active-safety gear, it seems like the better buy from Genesis. The Advanced model does bring Nappa leather, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, rear sunshades, active noise cancellation and a 15-speaker Lexicon stereo, but if you can live without these things, the Prestige will not fail to satisfy.
At Lexus, the equipment list is similar, with the Luxury adding a premium technology package that’s optional on the Premium model, ultrasuede interior fabrics, heated rear seats, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, lane change assist and a few other features. The range-eating 20-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof are still options even on the RZ450e luxury.
The Lexus comes with that company’s famously customer-friendly after-sales and service support, but the Genesis comes with a longer warranty and three years of complimentary maintenance.
Our Verdict:
It may cost more, but the driving experience, range and charging advantages of the Genesis are impossible to ignore. It’s just a more satisfying vehicle to drive and one that looks and feels even richer than its lofty price, and that makes it the better value in the long term.