Is the Genesis G70 more reliable than the Lexus IS?

Based on our data, the Lexus IS is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 66/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Genesis G70 or the Lexus IS?

The Genesis G70 has more recalls (15) compared to the Lexus IS (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Genesis G70 or the Lexus IS?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus IS has a lower complaint rate at 0.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.8 for the Genesis G70. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS: Reliability Compared

Genesis G70

Good

More Reliable

Lexus IS

Excellent

Choosing between the Genesis G70 and the Lexus IS? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus IS currently leads with an average score of 82/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Genesis G70 and Lexus IS Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lexus IS is in its third generation, which spanned from 2014 to 2023, with a significant facelift occurring in 2021. This mature platform was well-sorted by the end of its cycle, offering a more refined and reliable experience due to the resolution of early issues typical in new models. In contrast, the Genesis G70, which debuted in 2019, is in its first generation. It underwent a facelift in 2022 and a refresh in 2023. Being earlier in its lifecycle, the G70 might still be addressing initial model year challenges, which are common in newer platforms.

Verdict

The Lexus IS is more reliable than the Genesis G70, scoring 82/100 vs 66/100.

The Lexus IS demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Genesis G70, with an average reliability score of 82 out of 100 versus the G70's 66. The Lexus IS also has significantly fewer recalls over the years, tallying only 6 compared to the G70's 15. Additionally, the IS boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 0.7 per 10,000 sold, whereas the G70 has a rate of 13.8. These metrics highlight the Lexus IS as the more dependable choice, particularly concerning recall history and owner satisfaction.

Key Differences

1Lexus IS scores 16 points higher in reliability
2Lexus IS has 13.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Lexus IS has 9 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0Genesis G70

—

3Lexus IS

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS: Which Is More Reliable?

Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Genesis G70	Lexus IS
Reliability Score	66/100	82/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	15	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	13.8	0.7
Year Wins	0	7

What Are the Common Problems With the Genesis G70 and Lexus IS?

The Lexus IS exhibits a relatively low number of complaints, with issues primarily related to unknown or other problems, tires, and structure, including one crash-linked tire complaint. In contrast, the Genesis G70 has a broader and more severe problem profile, with significant concerns in the electrical system, power train, and engine, alongside crash-linked complaints in unknown or other, power train, and service brakes categories. Notably, the Genesis G70's higher volume of complaints in critical areas such as the electrical system and power train suggests potential reliability concerns that are not as pronounced in the Lexus IS. The presence of multiple crash-linked complaints in the Genesis G70 further emphasizes potential safety issues.

Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS common problem areas comparison
Component	Genesis G70	Lexus IS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.5Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	1.3Low	—None
ENGINE	1.1Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.4Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.4Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.2Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS Reliability Compare by Year?

Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Genesis G70	Lexus IS	Edge
2025	71/1000R / 1C	83/1000R / 1C	Lexus IS
2024	75/1000R / 0C	83/1000R / 3C	Lexus IS
2023	67/1001R / 17C	83/1000R / 9C	Lexus IS
2022	65/1002R / 25C	83/1000R / 13C	Lexus IS
2021	64/1004R / 4C	83/1000R / 1C	Lexus IS
2020	64/1003R / 12C	83/1000R / 3C	Lexus IS
2019	55/1005R / 57C	79/1004R / 8C	Lexus IS
2026(predicted)	71/100(predicted)	83/100(predicted)	Lexus IS

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Genesis G70 scored 75/100 and the 2025 Lexus IS scored 83/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Genesis G70 vs the Lexus IS?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind in your vehicle choice, the Lexus IS is a compelling option. With a reliability score of 82/100 and only 6 total recalls, it stands out as a dependable choice. The Lexus IS also boasts a low owner complaint rate of just 0.7 per 10,000 sold, suggesting a generally satisfying ownership experience. While specific repair cost estimates aren't available, the lower recall and complaint figures indicate fewer potential headaches down the road. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Genesis G70 for its features or design, be aware of its lower reliability score of 66/100 and higher recall count of 15. The owner complaints rate of 13.8 per 10,000 sold highlights potential issues, particularly in the electrical system and power train. The Genesis G70 may appeal to those willing to trade some reliability for style or performance, but be prepared for possible maintenance challenges.

Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS: Common Questions

Is the Genesis G70 more reliable than the Lexus IS?: Based on our data, the Lexus IS is more reliable with an average score of 82/100 compared to 66/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Genesis G70 or the Lexus IS?: The Genesis G70 has more recalls (15) compared to the Lexus IS (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Genesis G70 or the Lexus IS?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus IS has a lower complaint rate at 0.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.8 for the Genesis G70. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Genesis G70 comparisons

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More Lexus IS comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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