There are two excellent options for a luxury sedan in 2025: the Lexus IS and Genesis G70. Both cars deliver premium features, great performance, and upscale touches, but one relies on proven reliability and brand history, while the other offers competitive pricing with modern tech features. In this car comparison review, we’ll look at which sedan might fit your California lifestyle best based on what you care about most.
Pricing and Value
Lexus offers a wide range of different trim options in IS, IS F SPORT, F SPORT DESIGN, and IS 500 F SPORT PERFORMANCE variants. Across 10 different versions, Lexus IS prices run from $41,830 for the 2025 IS 300 to $65,315 for the top-tier IS 500 F SPORT PERFORMANCE PREMIUM with its unique V-8. This gives you a range of options to suit your budget.
The G70 features a simpler lineup: 2.5T Standard, 2.5T Sport Prestige, 3.3T Sport Advanced, and 3.3T Sport Prestige. The G70 is slightly more expensive at the entry level, with the 2.5T rear-wheel drive (RWD) starting at $42,500. The 3.3T models jump to $55,350 for the RWD Sport Prestige. This pricing positions Genesis as an attainable luxury choice.
Performance and Efficiency
Let’s compare their car engines and performance.
Engine Options and Driving Dynamics
The G70 offers two turbocharged engines and available all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2.5-liter four-cylinder outputs 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 produces 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. It hits 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with the base engine and 4.5 seconds with the twin-turbo V-6. Genesis also equips the G70 with an eight-speed automatic and shift-by-wire dial. The 3.3T adds variable exhaust.
Lexus takes a different approach with more choices. The IS 300 RWD uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter that delivers 241 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD version gets a 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 is equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 that outputs an enhanced 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The IS 500’s 5.0-liter V-8 delivers an impressive 472 hp, going 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Depending on the model, you also get either a six-speed paddle-shift transmission or an eight-speed automatic.
Fuel Economy
Lexus shows slightly better efficiency than Genesis. The base IS reaches 25 mpg combined with RWD or 22 mpg combined with AWD, while the IS 350 RWD offers 23 mpg combined. The speedy V-8 IS 500 gets a reasonable 20 mpg combined. In contrast, the G70’s 2.5T RWD gets 24 mpg combined, while AWD drops to 23 mpg. The 3.3T RWD also achieves 20 mpg combined, but with less power than the IS 500.
Interior and Comfort Features
Both models offer premium quality and advanced tech, but there are differences.
Cabin Design and Material Quality
Genesis impresses with beautiful interiors featuring top-grade materials, elegant designs, and premium comfort. The G70 starts with leatherette but offers leather and nappa leather on top trims. Colors include Fog Gray, Obsidian Black, or bold Sevilla Red. Lexus offers classic luxury with quality materials, soft surfaces, and NuLuxe seating with wood or metal trim. Glazed Caramel and Rioja Red with Black Metallic trims are some of the colors you can choose for the interior.
Technology and Infotainment Systems
Lexus comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen that’s upgradable to a 10.3-inch screen. You can easily stay connected with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an HD Radio. For music, a 10-speaker system is standard, but you can choose a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system for premium sound quality.
The G70 offers a larger standard 10.25-inch display. Other features include a 15-speaker Lexicon sound system, wireless charging, and Digital Key 2 Touch.
Passenger Space and Cargo Capacity
The IS and G70 have similar dimensions, both seating up to five. The IS measures 185.4 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 56.5 inches tall, with 36.9 inches of rear headroom and 32.2 inches of rear legroom. In comparison, the G70 measures 184.4 inches in length, 72.8 inches in width, and 55.1 inches in height. You also get more room with 38.7 inches of rear headroom and 34.8 inches of rear legroom.
As for trunk space, they’re nearly identical at 10.5 cubic feet for the G70 vs. 10.8 cubic feet for the IS. Both include cupholders, center consoles, glove boxes, and door pockets for storage.
Safety, Reliability, and Warranty
While both models will keep you safe on the road, the Lexus stands out when it comes to reliability.
Safety Ratings and Advanced Safety Features
Lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, forward collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision warning, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist come standard on every G70. This sedan also includes Smart Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and highway driving assistance.
Meanwhile, Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 includes a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Road Sign Assist. Additionally, both sedans have five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Reliability
Lexus came first in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study out of 33 brands, ranking the best among car brands. Genesis only ranked eighteenth. This shows that while both brands use quality materials and solid engineering, Lexus is more reliable.
Warranty Coverage and Maintenance Plans
Genesis offers superior warranty coverage with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. You also receive five-year roadside assistance and three years/36,000 miles of free maintenance.
Lexus provides a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage, plus four years of roadside assistance. Genesis wins with much better protection, especially that 10-year powertrain warranty.
Finding Your Perfect Luxury Sedan Match
These cars are nearly even overall, with Genesis making a compelling case with its competitive pricing and industry-best warranty. But if you plan to keep your sedan for many years, Lexus’s famous reliability and established service network might save you more money over time. Plus, you have more powerful engine options.
Why not visit Longo Lexus in El Monte and explore the 2025 IS’s refined luxury yourself? Our team can show you why the IS isn’t just a car but a smart investment that’ll keep you happy for years.
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