2021 Lexus IS vs Genesis G70: Battle of the Compact Luxury Sedans

Stiff Competition

It goes without saying that the once incredibly popular compact luxury sedan segment has dwindled greatly in recent years as more and more people flock to crossovers. But the new 2021 Lexus IS is proof that the segment isn't dead yet. In fact, it has some formidable competition in the form of the quite attractive Genesis G70, so it's worth taking a closer look at how these two sedans match up.

Photos: Lexus

New but Good

Genesis is the relatively new spin-off luxury arm of Hyundai, but despite its newness, the automaker is already cranking out great cars. That includes the G70, which offers a low starting price of $37,025, lots of standard tech features, solid handling, multiple engine choices, and a class-leading warranty.

Photos: Genesis

>>Join the conversation about the IS vs the G70 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Evolutionary Ride

On the other side, we have the new IS, which benefits from Lexus' long-established reputation for building reliable and comfortable cars that hold their value exceptionally well. The newest IS isn't a total revolution but rather an evolution of its predecessor, which can be both a good and bad thing for a number of reasons. It's also a bit more expensive than the G70 with a starting MSRP of $40,025.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the IS vs the G70 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Power Brokers

Both of these cars come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant, but the G70 offers a bit more with 252 horsepower versus 241 in the IS, along with 260 pound-feet of torque versus 258. The G70's optional 3.3-liter V6 makes 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet, while the IS's 3.5-liter V6 offers up 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

Photos: Genesis

>>Join the conversation about the IS vs the G70 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Similarities

Fuel economy between the base versions of these cars is a wash, as the G70 returns 22/30/25 city/highway/combined, while the IS is rated at 21/31/25. Both cars come equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and are available in either rear- or all-wheel-drive configuration.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the IS vs the G70 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Warranty Coverage

The G70 does offer a better warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles with 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The IS comes with a 4-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty, and a 6-year, 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. In terms of interior quality and comfort and tech and safety features, both of these sedans offer buyers plenty.

Photos: Genesis

>>Join the conversation about the IS vs the G70 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Paper Comparison

Ultimately, the G70 seems like a strong competitor for the refreshed IS on paper. It's cheaper, offers more power, and a better warranty, though pretty much everything else is a wash. Now all that's left to do is drive these cars back-to-back, and then we can make the determination as to which of these new compact luxury sedans ultimately comes out on top.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the IS vs the G70 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.