How Does the Genesis G70 Stack Up to the Lexus IS?
All-new Genesis G70 is nearly upon us. Does Lexus (and the Germans) have anything to worry about?
The once red-hot compact luxury performance sedan just ain’t what it used to be. Once the hottest and most competitive segment in all of the automotive world, these capable yet comfortable cruisers have given way to crossovers and SUVs in recent years. But one could argue that today’s offerings are the best yet. And automakers continue to pour resources into producing some highly entertaining cars.
Just take the latest from the recently spun off luxury performance brand Genesis, for example. The newly announced Genesis G70 is clearly aimed at segment stalwarts like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class, and Lexus IS. It also becomes the third car in the Genesis lineup, which is rapidly expanding as it tries to gain ground in luxury automobile market.
Unlike the larger G80 and G90, however, the G70 features a much more daring design. And it shares a platform and drivetrain with the impressive Kia Stinger, a car that has so far garnered rave reviews. That means powertrain options including a a 2.0-liter turbo I4 and 3.3-liter gas V6. And in our opinion, the Genesis G70 is the best looking car of the bunch. Even if the front end does look like an awful lot like BMW’s venerable 3-Series.
But the real question is, has Genesis done enough with the G70 to make it a real threat to the Lexus IS? Or to make it a viable competitor for other newcomers like the Alfa Romeo Giulia? Judging by the responses from Club Lexus forum members, well, maybe? “Similar reaction to the Stinger: At first I thought, wow, that’s pretty damn nice. But the more you look, the more you realize it’s a mishmash of styling cues and treatments,” remarks Lexus2000. “Won’t age well.”
It’s quite obvious that the designers of the Genesis G70 took their inspiration from a variety of existing models. “Looks like an Infiniti Q50 on the outside and a BMW 3 on the inside,” adds fellow Club Lexus forum member EZZ. “It looks good. A mix between the Infiniti Q50 and Kia Optima,” says RXSF. “Nav screen is a bit too small for the luxury market, interior dash and nav combo remind me of Mazda.”
Even though the G70 sports a uniquely familiar exterior, the interior drew some less than rave reviews for its basic design. “Interior does not impress me much, looks okay and kind of plain, says UDel. “A bit minimalist for my taste, but it’s a good starter,” adds Propulsion. “It would help a lot if the designers put some wood or wood-tone in that big, plain-looking area above the glove box,” says mmarshall. We agree, and it’s safe to say that the Lexus IS sports a much more attractive and sophisticated interior design. Not to mention wholly unique exterior styling.
So it’s quite obvious that the G70 isn’t exactly an original design, but it is attractive at the very least. Looks aren’t everything in the compact luxury performance sedan market, however. And they can be quite subjective. What really matters is how the car feels and performs. But since we can’t get our hands on a G70 for a test drive (yet), we’ll see how the newcomer fares with the Lexus IS in regards to numbers.
| Specs | Genesis G70 | Lexus IS |
| Length | 184.4 | 184.3 |
| Wheelbase | 111.6 | 110.2 |
| Widty | 72.8 | 71.3 |
| Height | 55.1 | 56.3 |
| Engine/Model | 2.0-Liter Turbo I4 | 2.0-Liter Turbo I4 |
| G70 2.0T | IS 300 | |
| Base MSRP | TBA | $38,210 |
| Horsepower | 248 hp | 241 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| 0-60 Time | TBD | 6.9 seconds |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Engine/Model | 3.3 Liter Turbo V6 | 3.5-Liter V6 |
| G70 Sport | IS 350 | |
| Base MSRP | TBA | $41,830 |
| Horsepower | 365 hp | 311 hp |
| Torque | 376 lb-ft | 277 lb-ft |
| 0-60 Time | 4.7 seconds (estimated) | 6.0 seconds (2017 model) |
If it wasn’t already obvious who Genesis was targeting with the new G70, it sure is now. The G70 and IS are virtually identical in regards to size. Both base, 2.0-liter turbo I4 models are essentially interchangeable. But if you’re stepping up to the more expensive, more powerful V6 models, the differences quickly become glaringly evident.
For 2018, Lexus bumped up power for its 3.5-liter IS 350 by 5 hp, though torque remains unchanged. Despite the improvement, the Genesis G70 Sport uses a single turbo to edge the IS by a considerable 54 hp and 99 lb-ft of torque. The 2018 IS 350 should best last year’s 0-60 time of 6.0 seconds flat, but it still isn’t going to be able to touch the G70 Sport. Not by a long shot.
The big caveat, of course, is price. While Genesis has not yet announced pricing for the G70, existing models undercut the competition by several thousand dollars. So we’d expect the same from their compact offering. That could be problematic for Lexus, but buyers don’t seem to mind paying a premium for the brand’s legendary quality and reliability. Genesis, on the other hand, hasn’t been around long enough to establish those kinds of qualities, but early reports are good.
The G70 doesn’t go on sale in the U.S. until next April as a 2019 model. Yet a select few have had the chance to drive Korean-tuned examples. Road & Track came away impressed with the G70 Sport’s power and “nicely balanced” and “grippy” handling. Autoweek noted the lack of turbo lag, “crisp hard-throttle upshifts,” and smooth gearshifts. Car & Driver calls the steering “excellent” and power delivery “effortless.”
We’re still a few months away from seeing a U.S spec Genesis G70. But it’s already abundantly clear that the young luxury brand isn’t just dipping its toe into the compact luxury performance sedan market. It’s jumping in, head first. If nothing else, Genesis is putting segment stalwarts like the Lexus IS on notice. But as we’ve seen in the past, competition isn’t always a bad thing. If nothing else, the new Genesis G70 might just force Lexus to step its game up a little. Or at least bring back the IS F!
