Compare the2023 Genesis GV80VS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the GV80 and 4Runner have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The 4Runner’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The GV80 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The 4Runner doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GV80 offers optional Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The 4Runner doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GV80. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the GV80 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The 4Runner uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the GV80 and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	GV80	4Runner
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.1%	47%
Neck Stress	157 lbs.	438 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	254/334 lbs.	488/468 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	263	367
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	57%
Neck Stress	228 lbs.	271 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the 4Runner:

	GV80	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.1/1 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.72/.4	.95/.85
Tibia forces R/L	2.8/2.7 kN	5/2.9 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

	GV80	4Runner
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	41
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	179 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	89
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	36 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	20 inches
HIC	290	507
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	640 lbs.	895 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the GV80, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 7.7% to 9.1% less likely to roll over than the 4Runner, which received a three-star rating.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GV80 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 96 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 4Runner is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The 4Runner’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the 4Runner. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the 4Runner ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GV80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the 4Runner’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the 4Runner (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 14th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

Engine

The GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (300 vs. 270) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 105 more horsepower (375 vs. 270) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Genesis GV80 is faster than the Toyota 4Runner:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	5.3 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16 sec	13.8 sec	22 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7 sec	6.1 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	13.9 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	101 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	140 MPH	149 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GV80 gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

			MPG
GV80
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6	18 city/23 hwy
4Runner
	RWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
	AWD	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GV80’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Genesis GV80, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 4Runner:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	4Runner
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	12.3 inches

The GV80 stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	GV80	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the 4Runner (265/40R22 vs. 245/60R20).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner’s standard 70 series tires. The GV80’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 4Runner. The GV80’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Genesis GV80 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota 4Runner has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The GV80 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The 4Runner’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GV80 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GV80’s wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the 4Runner (116.3 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GV80 is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The GV80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the 4Runner’s (53.6% to 46.4%). This gives the GV80 more stable handling and braking.

The GV80 PRESTIGE handles at .86 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 PRESTIGE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

Unibody construction lowers the GV80’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The 4Runner uses body-on-frame design instead.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the GV80 3.5T has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The 4Runner uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The GV80 Prestige uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GV80 PRESTIGE is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (74 vs. 76 dB).

Passenger Space

The GV80 has 12 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 4Runner (140 vs. 128).

The GV80 has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 5.8 inches more rear legroom, .4 inches more rear shoulder room and 1 inch more third row legroom than the 4Runner.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV80’s middle and third row seats recline. The 4Runner’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The GV80’s cargo area provides more volume than the 4Runner.

	GV80	4Runner
Behind Third Seat	11.6 cubic feet	9 cubic feet

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 4Runner doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GV80’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GV80’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the 4Runner’s (6000 vs. 5000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the GV80 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The GV80 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the GV80 automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The GV80’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GV80 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GV80’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the GV80 and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GV80 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GV80’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The GV80 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GV80’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GV80 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GV80’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 4Runner’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The GV80 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GV80 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 4Runner doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GV80’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the GV80 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 4Runner’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GV80’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 4Runner offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GV80 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the 4Runner Premium/Limited/TRD Pro. The GV80 also offers optional heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The GV80 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 4Runner doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

On extremely cold winter days, the GV80’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The GV80 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 4Runner.

The GV80 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the 4Runner Limited/TRD Pro.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Genesis GV80 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The GV80’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 second among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 4Runner isn’t in the top three in its category.

The GV80 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2021. The 4Runner has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

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