Compare the2024 Genesis GV70VS 2024 Mazda CX-50

The GV70’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-50 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GV70 and CX-50 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV70 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 CX-50’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.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GV70 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The GV70 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 CX-50 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the GV70 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The GV70’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The CX-50’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GV70’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GV70 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the GV70 and the CX-50 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, all wheel drive, 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 GV70 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-50’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV70 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-50. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-50 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GV70’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-50’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV70 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-50.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the GV70 has larger alternators than the CX-50:

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th.

The GV70’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 113 more horsepower (300 vs. 187) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 186) than the CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The GV70’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (300 vs. 256) than the CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The GV70’s optional 3.5 turbo V6 produces 119 more horsepower (375 vs. 256) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 320) than the CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Genesis GV70 is faster than the Mazda CX-50:

Regardless of its engine, the GV70’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo.

The GV70 has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Genesis GV70, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

The GV70’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CX-50 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the GV70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-50:

The GV70’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

The GV70 stops much shorter than the CX-50:

For better traction, the GV70 has larger standard tires than the CX-50 (235/55R19 vs. 225/65R17). The GV70 Sport’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (255/40R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The GV70’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 CX-50’s standard 65 series tires. The GV70 Sport’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV70 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50. The GV70 Sport’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo.

For superior ride and handling, the Genesis GV70 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 Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The GV70 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the GV70 flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The GV70 offers an available 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 CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GV70’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the CX-50 (113.2 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

The GV70’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the CX-50’s (58.9% to 41.1%). This gives the GV70 more stable handling and braking.

The GV70 Sport Prestige handles at .86 G’s, while the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV70 Sport Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the CX-50 (26.4 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GV70 Advanced is quieter than the CX-50 2.5 Turbo:

The GV70 has 3.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-50 (104 vs. 100.3).

The GV70 has .5 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV70’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

The GV70 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-50 with its rear seat folded (56.9 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GV70. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GV70’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The GV70’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

The engine in the GV70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-50. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The GV70 Select/Advanced/Sport/3.5T’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the GV70 and the CX-50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GV70 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GV70 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GV70’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

The GV70 Sport Prestige/3.5T has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-50.

Both the GV70 and the CX-50 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GV70 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Genesis GV70 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-50.

The GV70 Advanced/Sport/3.5T has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GV70 Sport Advanced/Sport Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. 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 CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV70 third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CX-50 isn’t in the top three.

The GV70 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 2023. The CX-50 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the GV70 as their 2022 Sport Utility of the Year. The CX-50 has never been chosen.