Genesis VS Lexus ES

I owned a 2008 ES and traded it in for a 2013 ES and traded that in for a 2015 Genesis. I leased the Genesis AWD for $389 for three years and no money down. It was too good a deal to pass up. I will compare and contrast both cars. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

I like the looks of all three cars, but I do think that the Genesis looks the best. Inside the Genesis is nice, and the dash layout and button placements are better then the ES. The Genesis rides and handles better. It is smoother in turns. The mileage on the Genesis lags behind the ES, but I do have AWD on the Genesis and this needs to be factored in. I get about 21 MPG in mixed driving. The 10K oil change on the ES is nice compared to 7,500 recommended on the Genesis.

The placement of the USB port on the Genesis is not in the glove box, it is at arms reach, and this works much better than in the ES. The radio seems to pick up stations better in the Genesis.

Paint seems to be much better on the Genesis. The front of both ES's had many chips on the front end. The front end of the Genesis looks untouched.

The blind spot monitor on the Genesis is not as good. For example, on the Genesis when I am making a left turn and I have my turn signal on in a double left turn lane, as I make the turn a get a warning someone is in the blind spot. On the ES if the turn signal is on I think I remember that the ES disables the blind spot warning so you don't get a warning you don't need. This warning on my Genesis always alarms my passengers.

The trunk on the Genesis will open if you stand behind it for a few seconds. This feature is a Godsend and the ES needs this. The Genesis has a large hook that you can pull down and I am able to place a good number of plastic grocery bags on it. The cargo net in the ES is excellent and I was able to place a lot of goods in the net. The cargo net in the Genesis is less useful, it lays flat on the floor of the trunk.

The rain sensing wipers in the 2013 ES were perfectly tuned. The 2008 ES wipers were not as well tuned, but they were not bad. The rain sensing wipers in the Genesis are not as good as even the 2008 ES and need a lot of adjusting by the user.

Both are excellent cars. I might come back to the ES in the next generation, it is just too soon to tell. I also would not hesitate to get another Genesis.

Goo review and thank you for taking the time to write it up.

I am sad to hear that the new genesis auto wipers still suck. Mine are absolutely terrible. Way too over zealous at every little drop. I cant stand them.

The ES is also FWD, so thats a big DISLIKE. lol

lsher said:

Both are excellent cars. I might come back to the ES in the next generation, it is just too soon to tell. I also would not hesitate to get another Genesis.

Click to expand...

This is an excellent and "real life" review.

Which packages you had/have?

Would you think differently should them be better than yours?

How do you compare the interior size and comfort of both?

How about ride and noise level?

Many thanks for taking your time and bringing us this fine review.
There are plenty of great cars out there. We NEED to compare!

Isher, your cargo net is adjustable. Flat is just one position. Read the manual.

OneFunGenesis said:

Goo review and thank you for taking the time to write it up.

I am sad to hear that the new genesis auto wipers still suck. Mine are absolutely terrible. Way too over zealous at every little drop. I cant stand them.

Click to expand...

You can adjust the sensitivity of the automatic wipers using the variable stalk switch, it shows up on the dash screen while you adjust it. This makes a huge difference.

Nice review, but I was a little confused by this part. Why would it make sense to disable the blind spot warning when turning? Isn't it most important to have that feature activated when the turn signal is on?

If I'm switching lanes on the highway I would want to know if someone abruptly enters my blind spot and I typically use my turn signal when switching lanes. Do you mean that it goes off when you're stopped and in line waiting to turn, or during the actual act of turning? If it's the former, then that would be an annoyance I agree.

lsher said:

The blind spot monitor on the Genesis is not as good. For example, on the Genesis when I am making a left turn and I have my turn signal on in a double left turn lane, as I make the turn a get a warning someone is in the blind spot. On the ES if the turn signal is on I think I remember that the ES disables the blind spot warning so you don't get a warning you don't need. This warning on my Genesis always alarms my passengers.

Click to expand...

greekgeek said:

You can adjust the sensitivity of the automatic wipers using the variable stalk switch, it shows up on the dash screen while you adjust it. This makes a huge difference.

Click to expand...

Awesome. I learned something new today. Thank You!

greekgeek said:

You can adjust the sensitivity of the automatic wipers using the variable stalk switch, it shows up on the dash screen while you adjust it. This makes a huge difference.

Click to expand...

Alwaysforward said:

Awesome. I learned something new today. Thank You!

Click to expand...

Nice haha.

Also, I am first Gen. So I can adjust them but only so far. I have the sensitivity turned all the way down and yesterday a leaf hit my windshield and the wipers went crazy like that bubble fish from finding nemo haha

Thank you very much for this review. The Lexus ES has been "the other car" I've been considering in contrast to the Genesis as they're both priced about the same when loaded up. Of course, I'm leaning toward the Genesis.

As mentioned above, I'd like to hear more about interior comfort, ride quality (I'm guessing the ES is softer - which I actually prefer) and sound levels/noise...

OneFunGenesis said:

Also, I am first Gen. So I can adjust them but only so far. I have the sensitivity turned all the way down and yesterday a leaf hit my windshield and the wipers went crazy like that bubble fish from finding nemo haha

Click to expand...

First Gen'er here as well. Personally, I find the auto-wipers pretty good in the Gen 1. They are tunable using using stalk, and once set for current condition, work pretty well.

But I do not leave them on all the time. If it's not raining, off they go. That also forces the wipers to sit in a lower position than when on and waiting for the sensor to detect something. Check it out by looking at the wipers when turning them off.

Seems like rain sensing wipers are new to some here - they are most always adjustable - some car models may have more control then others, but all have several range settings.

ksoze said:

Seems like rain sensing wipers are new to some here - they are most always adjustable - some car models may have more control then others, but all have several range settings.

Click to expand...

Indeed, they're always adjustable. Some people adapt to new technology faster/slower than others. I love rain sensing wipers, though...

Hyundai Genesis said:

Indeed, they're always adjustable. Some people adapt to new technology faster/slower than others. I love rain sensing wipers, though...

Click to expand...

I don't like how ours does that initial wipe every time you start up the car. Especially since I put rainx on my front windshield. So I dont need it to make streaks on my windshield.

zielritter said:

Nice review, but I was a little confused by this part. Why would it make sense to disable the blind spot warning when turning? Isn't it most important to have that feature activated when the turn signal is on?

If I'm switching lanes on the highway I would want to know if someone abruptly enters my blind spot and I typically use my turn signal when switching lanes. Do you mean that it goes off when you're stopped and in line waiting to turn, or during the actual act of turning? If it's the former, then that would be an annoyance I agree.

Click to expand...

The blind spot warning is disabled when you are below 20 MPH, but if you are on the outside part of a double turn lane, the blind spot warning will alarm when you go over 20 MPH.

It is just a logic issue. They should use the sensor in the steering wheel to sense that the car is in a sharp turn and the turn signal is already on, so cancel the blind spot warning until the turn signal resets.

CtK said:

I don't like how ours does that initial wipe every time you start up the car. Especially since I put rainx on my front windshield. So I dont need it to make streaks on my windshield.

Click to expand...

In my opinion, rain sensing wipers are good when it's raining. If in a garage, or it's not raining, turn the wipers off. As I mentioned previously, the wipers do not sit as low when waiting for rain than when they are off (at least on the Gen 1).

craigt said:

In my opinion, rain sensing wipers are good when it's raining. If in a garage, or it's not raining, turn the wipers off. As I mentioned previously, the wipers do not sit as low when waiting for rain than when they are off (at least on the Gen 1).

Click to expand...

Gen 2 wipers don't have a different resting position in auto versus off. Also, leaving them in auto will not only mean they cycle when you remote start, but they'll activate in a car wash and potentially get damaged! I leave them off and turn to Auto when it's actually raining.

OneFunGenesis said:

Also, I am first Gen. So I can adjust them but only so far. I have the sensitivity turned all the way down and yesterday a leaf hit my windshield and the wipers went crazy like that bubble fish from finding nemo haha

Click to expand...

I don't have that problem, I can pretty much adjust mine to just how I want them. I don't know if yours being a 2009 vs. my 2012 makes any difference in this respect, they are both still first gen.

CtK said:

I don't like how ours does that initial wipe every time you start up the car.

Click to expand...

Mine doesn't do that...

Man this thread is really getting to me for a couple reasons.

1) ours dont cycle when the car is first turned on...that is one of the stupidest things I have heard thus far

2) What is the point of AUTOMATIC wipers if I have to turn them on???????????????????????

3) In gen 1, in auto the wipers rest at the SAME position as if they were OFF unless it senses rain. It wipes, then waits for more rain. If there is not more rain, they retreat back into the cowl after 3 minutes. I have timed it.

/rant