Compare the2022 Genesis G70VS 2021 Lexus ES Series

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 G70 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The ES Series doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The G70 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 ES Series doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The G70 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the ES Series’ blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the G70 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the ES Series.

Both the G70 and the ES Series 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The G70 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The ES Series’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the G70 4 years and 30,000 miles longer than Lexus covers the ES Series. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the ES Series ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The G70’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the ES Series’ (7 vs. 6 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the G70 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the ES Series (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 38 percent more Genesis dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the G70’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the G70 has a standard 800-amp battery. The ES Series’ 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the G70 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the G70’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The ES Series’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the G70 first among compact premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The ES Series isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 12th.

The G70 has more powerful engines than the ES Series:

As tested in Motor Trend the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

The G70 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The G70’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 ES Series doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the G70’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES Series:

The G70 3.3T’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ES Series are solid, not vented.

The G70 stops much shorter than the ES Series:

For better traction, the G70 has larger standard tires than the ES Series (225/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

The G70’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ES Series’ standard 55 series tires. The G70’s optional 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the ES Series 350 F Sport’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the G70 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES Series.

The G70 has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The ES Series’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The G70’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the ES Series’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the G70 more stable handling and braking.

The G70 handles at .94 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The G70 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.5 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the G70’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the ES Series’ (36.3 feet vs. 38 feet). The G70 AWD’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the ES Series w/18-19” wheels’ (37.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The G70 is 11.5 inches shorter than the ES Series, making the G70 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G70 has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES Series.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the G70’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES Series’ useful trunk space.

The G70’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES Series doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The engine in the G70 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES Series. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Consumer Reports rated the G70’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the ES Series’ headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The G70 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the ES Series. The G70 Prestige/Sport also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES Series.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Genesis G70 Standard first. They ranked the Lexus ES 300h third.

The G70 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The ES Series has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the G70 as their 2019 Car of the Year. The ES Series has never been chosen.