Compare the2019 Lexus IS SeriesVS 2018 Genesis G80

Both the IS Series and the G80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Lexus IS Series is safer than the Genesis G80:

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS Series’ reliability 27 points higher than the G80.

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 350 is faster than the G80 5.0:

On the EPA test cycle the IS Series gets better fuel mileage than the G80:

The IS Series’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G80 3.8 are solid, not vented.

The IS Series stops shorter than the G80:

The IS Series AWD handles at .89 G’s, while the G80 3.8 AWD pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 AWD goes through AutoWeek’s slalom 1.8 MPH faster than the G80 3.8 AWD (44.9 vs. 43.1 MPH).

The IS 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the G80 5.0 (26 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS Series’ turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the G80’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.2 feet). The IS Series AWD’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the G80’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Lexus IS Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 1000 pounds less than the Genesis G80.

The IS Series is 1 foot shorter than the G80, making the IS Series easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The IS Series 300 RWD offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The G80 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the IS 350 F Sport is quieter than the G80 5.0 (65 vs. 70 dB).

The IS Series’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The G80 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the G80, the IS Series offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

If the windows are left open on the IS Series the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (Your Lexus service department must activate this window function.) The driver of the G80 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the IS Series’ headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the G80’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the IS Series offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Optional air conditioned seats in the IS Series keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The G80 only offers an air-conditioned driver’s seat.

The Lexus IS Series outsold the Genesis G80 by 64% during 2017.