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Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS

2026 Genesis G70 vs 2026 Lexus IS — two compact cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Genesis G70

2026 Genesis G70

Compact CarsAWD/4WD
VS3 – 0Genesis G70 wins 3 of 3 categories
Lexus IS

2026 Lexus IS

Compact CarsAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Genesis G70 is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $350 a year less in fuel for the Genesis G70 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Genesis G70 has had fewer recall campaigns (6 vs 15).

The two cars

The 2026 Genesis G70 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.3L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,926 lb (4dr Sedan 2.5l).

The 2026 Lexus IS is a compact car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,913 lb.

Buying used? The 2024 G70 and the 2024 IS have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 G70 and the 2015 IS.

Basics

Compact Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.3L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
22 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
19 city
$3,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,750

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
311 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
184.3 in
Length
185.8 in
72.8 in
Width
72.4 in
55.1 in
Height
56.3 in
3,926 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,913 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
0
6
Recalls, all years since 2005
15
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

5,702
Wikipedia views, 30 days
28,367

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Genesis G70 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (24 vs 22 MPG)
  • You put reliability history first (6 vs 15 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Lexus IS if…

It doesn't clearly beat the Genesis G70 on any measure we track.

Pros & cons of each

2026 Genesis G70

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 24 MPG combined, 18% below the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Lexus IS

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 25% below the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Genesis G70 specs →Full 2026 Lexus IS specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →