2023 Genesis GV70 vs Mazda CX-5

What's the difference?

Genesis is conducting a stealthy, slow and steady attack on established players in the Australian luxury car market.

Minimal fanfare, low-key strategic planning in terms of brand awareness, retail presence and product portfolio, with annual sales likely to break four figures locally for the first time this year.

So, small numbers, but the range is growing with a distinct focus on electrification. In fact, Genesis has committed to cease production of combustion models in 2025, and move to a 100 per cent electric line-up by 2030.

And this is the brand’s latest EV arrival, the Electrified GV70. A five-seat SUV designed to win over open-minded prestige buyers willing to look beyond the usual suspects at the premium end of the market.

We were invited to its local launch including a first drive from Sydney to the NSW Southern Highlands and back.

Australia loves Mazda.

We have all sorts of Mazdas. Big ones, small ones, relatively affordable ones, expensive ones, but one which stands above the rest is the CX-5.

That's because this mid-sizer does a lot of the heavy lifting for the Japanese brand, keeping it in the fight against titans like Toyota in the sales charts.

If you're ready to feel old, this second-generation version of the CX-5 with its eye-catching design is now a whopping seven years old, although it has been tweaked recently in 2022 to bring a few updates, as well as the addition of the variant we're looking at here, the Touring Active.

So, the question we're wrestling with is whether this car's continued massive popularity is still warranted.

Is this still one of the best mid-size SUVs you can buy for your family, or should you be considering more recently arrived alternatives?