Compare the2021 Lexus ES SeriesVS 2021 Genesis G70

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus ES Series have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Genesis G70 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The ES Series has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The G70 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES Series offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The G70 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the ES Series and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in reliability. Genesis is ranked fifth.

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the ES 300h CVT gets better fuel mileage than the G70 2.0T Auto RWD (43 city/44 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the ES 350 FWD gets better fuel mileage than the G70 2.0T RWD with its standard engine (22 city/32 hwy vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the ES Series Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G70 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES Series uses regular unleaded gasoline. The G70 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus ES Series higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the ES Series produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The G70 doesn’t offer a CVT.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The ES Series has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The ES Series stops shorter than the G70:

For better traction, the ES Series’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G70 (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES Series’ wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the G70 (113 inches vs. 111.6 inches).

The ES Series F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The G70 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the ES Series a Mid-size car, while the G70 is rated a Compact.

The ES Series has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G70 (99.9 vs. 93.8).

The ES Series has .9 inches more rear headroom and 4.4 inches more rear legroom than the G70.

The ES Series has a much larger trunk than the G70 (13.9 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES Series offers cargo security. The G70’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

If the windows are left open on the ES 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. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the G70 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES Series and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Series Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G70 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The ES Series will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ES Series will retain 45.88% to 46.4% of its original price after five years, while the G70 only retains 36.72% to 42.83%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES Series will be $1761 to $7240 less than for the Genesis G70.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES Series and the Genesis G70, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus ES Series outsold the Genesis G70 by over four to one during 2019.