Compare the2024 Lexus ISVS 2024 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 Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The G70 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the IS and the G70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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.

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’ reliability 25 points higher than the G70.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The G70 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 18th.

The IS 500’s 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 107 more horsepower (472 vs. 365) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (395 vs. 376) than the G70 3.3T’s optional 3.3 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the IS 500 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the G70 3.3T 3.3 turbo V6:

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.

For better stopping power the IS 500 Performance’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the G70:

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 standard Brake Assist 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.

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the G70 (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19). The IS F Sport’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 IS 500 F Sport’s has 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 Advanced/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 53.95% to 59.37% of its original price after five years, while the G70 only retains 49.24% to 51.02%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus IS, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Genesis G70 isn't recommended.

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 70% during 2023.