Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2026 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 help 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.

There are over 12 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Genesis dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the IS’ warranty.

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 36 points higher than the G70.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The G70 was rated second.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 9th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 73 more problems per 100 vehicles, Genesis is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Genesis vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Genesis is ranked 14th.

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 11 more horsepower (311 vs. 300) than the G70 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus IS is faster than the G70 2.5T 2.5 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.

The IS stops much shorter than the G70:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the G70 (235/40R19 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 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 Prestige AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the G70 Sport Prestige AWD (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.2 seconds @ .69 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 second in service department satisfaction. With a 66% lower rating, Genesis is ranked 29th.

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.

The IS’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The G70’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The IS has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The G70 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

The Lexus IS has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the G70 Prestige.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus IS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the G70 Prestige offers wireless charging.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Lexus IS retains 60.76% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 50.98% resale value of the 2026 Genesis G70 after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner up to $3930 in depreciation.

The Lexus IS outsold the Genesis G70 by 71% during 2025.