Compare the2023 Lexus ISVS 2023 Genesis G70

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS 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 its rear seat belts.

The IS’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The G70 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Lexus IS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The G70 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The IS 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 IS offers optional Auto Rear 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 IS 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The G70 was rated second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked fifth.

The IS has more powerful engines than the G70:

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the G70 2.0T 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

The IS has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the G70 (17.4 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus IS higher (5 out of 10) than the Genesis G70 (3). This means the IS produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G70 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the IS’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the G70:

The IS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G70 2.0T are solid, not vented.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The IS 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 IS stops shorter than the G70:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the G70 (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19). The IS Performance’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G70 (F:235/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

The F Sport Design’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the G70’s 40 series front tires.

The IS has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The G70’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the G70 Sport Advanced pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 500 Performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the G70 Sport Advanced (25.2 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 26 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the G70’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.3 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the G70 AWD’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The IS has a larger trunk than the G70 (10.8 vs. 10.5 cubic feet).

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Genesis. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 61% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 23rd.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the G70 3.3T/Sport Prestige, the IS 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.

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The G70 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the IS 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.

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

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The G70 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the IS will retain 44.72% to 48.44% of its original price after five years, while the G70 only retains 43.59% to 44.28%.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The G70 isn’t in the top three.

The Lexus IS outsold the Genesis G70 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.