Compare the2022 Genesis G70VS 2021 Lexus IS 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 IS 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 IS Series doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The G70’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The IS Series doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the G70 and the IS 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, 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 IS 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 IS 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 IS Series ends after only 6 years or 70,000 miles.

The G70’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the IS 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 IS 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.

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 IS 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 IS Series was rated second.

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 IS Series:

As tested in Motor Trend the G70 3.3T 3.3 turbo V6 is faster than the Lexus IS Series:

On the EPA test cycle the G70 gets better mileage than the IS Series:

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the G70 2.0T’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip with its optional disable switch. The IS Series doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Genesis G70 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The IS Series requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 IS Series doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the G70 3.3T’s brake rotors are larger than those on the IS Series:

The G70 stops much shorter than the IS Series:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the G70’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the IS Series (111.6 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the G70 is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the IS Series.

The G70 handles at .94 G’s, while the IS 300 AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The G70 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the IS 300 AWD (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The G70 has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the IS Series (95.9 vs. 90.2).

The G70 has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the IS Series.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the G70’s trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The G70 3.3T Prestige/3.3T Sport also has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The IS Series doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

The G70 Sport Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The IS Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the G70 and the IS Series have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the G70 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The IS Series prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The G70’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The IS Series’ cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the G70 has standard extendable sun visors. The IS Series doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The G70 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the IS 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 IS Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Genesis G70 Prestige/Sport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The IS Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the G70 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the G70 will cost $2160 less than the IS Series over a five-year period.

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

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