Lexus GS350 vs Genesis

[lookingtobuy]

Hi all,

I've been trying to decide which car to pick up and I'm stuck between the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 and the GS350. 2015 Genesis (base model) is $29K with 5k miles and the 2014 GS350 (luxury package) is CPO with 35k miles for $31k. I am in NYC. I like the Genesis exterior more (Lexus looks outdated) but the Lexus has a better interior. I'm planning on keeping the car for ~5 years and am concerned with long-term reliability and eventual re-sale value. Any advice would be appreciated, especially from members who have driven / considered the GS350. Thanks.

 

[glennk]

Hi all,

I've been trying to decide which car to pick up and I'm stuck between the Hyundai Genesis 3.8 and the GS350. 2015 Genesis (base model) is $29K with 5k miles and the 2014 GS350 (luxury package) is CPO with 35k miles for $31k. I am in NYC. I like the Genesis exterior more (Lexus looks outdated) but the Lexus has a better interior. I'm planning on keeping the car for ~5 years and am concerned with long-term reliability and eventual re-sale value. Any advice would be appreciated, especially from members who have driven / considered the GS350. Thanks.

What are your thoughts on the GS350 joystick used to choose navigation/climate control/etc? This was a huge deal to me. I couldn't stand it.

Lexus will always win when it comes to reliability and re-sale. Why? They've been in the luxury market since 1990. People have a perception of what Lexus is. Genesis is brand new.

The GS350 drives with a more sporting nature. It is lighter than the Genesis, so it will be more agile. The Lexus engine is shared with multiple platforms, which means parts will be readily available.

You need to compare how the ride quality is in NYC.

 

[Rloyola0426]

I happen to have both. Although they occupy the same segment, they dont really compare to each other well, to me at least. As the person above me said, the GS is more sportier. To me, the 6 speed transmission is more responsive and that combined with the lighter weight of the GS just makes it feel more eager and peppy. The interior reflects that as well, as it is less roomy than the Genesis. I happen to like the controller in the GS, as I feel that it is safer and easier to navigate the menus with it while driving vs the touch screen on my Genesis. The GS interior also has more soft contact points than the Genesis. Everywhere they expect your body or extremities to touch has been padded and feels soft to the touch. The Genesis interior everything feels hard and plastic.

To me, the Genesis is more of a luxury cruiser. The transmission shifts lazily and with 8 gears the acceleration is t as fast and crisp as the GS. The interior is much roomier. How low you sit in the bathtub and how high the center armrest is just feels so much more relaxing than the GS. I prefer my Genesis for longer drives.

Bells and whistles? Nod definitely goes to the Genesis. But sophistication and evidence that this isn't their first foray into this territory goes to the Lexus.

A lot of this sounds contradictory, but if you've had seat time in both cars you might know what I'm talking about.

 

[glennk]

I happen to have both. Although they occupy the same segment, they dont really compare to each other well, to me at least. As the person above me said, the GS is more sportier. To me, the 6 speed transmission is more responsive and that combined with the lighter weight of the GS just makes it feel more eager and peppy. The interior reflects that as well, as it is less roomy than the Genesis. I happen to like the controller in the GS, as I feel that it is safer and easier to navigate the menus with it while driving vs the touch screen on my Genesis. The GS interior also has more soft contact points than the Genesis. Everywhere they expect your body or extremities to touch has been padded and feels soft to the touch. The Genesis interior everything feels hard and plastic.

To me, the Genesis is more of a luxury cruiser. The transmission shifts lazily and with 8 gears the acceleration is t as fast and crisp as the GS. The interior is much roomier. How low you sit in the bathtub and how high the center armrest is just feels so much more relaxing than the GS. I prefer my Genesis for longer drives.

Bells and whistles? Nod definitely goes to the Genesis. But sophistication and evidence that this isn't their first foray into this territory goes to the Lexus.

A lot of this sounds contradictory, but if you've had seat time in both cars you might know what I'm talking about.

+1

 

[redandblackpack]

I had the previous generation GS350 and looked at the current model when looking at the Genesis as well. I was not impressed with the Lexus interior and preferred the Genesis in most ways.

 

[balfor]

I had 2 different 2013 GS350, one a F sport RWD and one a luxury package AWD. I noticed you are comparing a base Genesis to Luxury GS, with that comparison I would go with the GS as the Luxury package is a very expensive option and give you a lot of goodies.

Are you looking at rear drive or AWD? I actually like the Genesis 8 speed better than the Lexus 6spd, shifts are smoother and slightly lower rpm on the highway. The 2014 GS have an 8 speed if rear drive but only the 6 speed with AWD. Also, for some reason AWD GS' are about an inch higher than RWD models which I personally hate, makes the car look odd and hurts handling a bit.

At the end of the day it's a tough call but the luxury package GS is nice. If the GS is AWD, it will handle about the same as the genesis. If the GS is RWD and especially F sport, it will handle better.

 

[MikeyTG]

I may be alone but I can't stand the look of the Lexus' "signature" grille. It looks to me like a normal grille went malignant and is metastasizing. They may be fine cars in every other respect, but not for me...

 

[Aquineas]

If you're concerned about resale, the Genesis isn't going to win that category (yet).

 

[DubbuD]

Toyota products in general have some of the best resale value within 5 years on the market. They're known to be reliable, and generally well put together products. I've never personally sat in the seat of a GS350, but I know the resale on the Genesis is pretty bad. Comfort and driving experience though, I love the Genesis. It shifts smooth, rides smooth, and everything in the car seems well placed and put together. Couple that with good exterior looks and it's a winner for me. I'm not really a fan of the more current model Lexus vehicles, they look kinda weird to me; with the exception of the new LC, that thing looks dope.

 

[balfor]

Resale is "generally" good for Toyota/Lexus, for example my wife has a Lexus RX which hold their value well probably because most people want SUVs now. However the GS is an exception, just look at the example here a '14 GS with luxury package was around MSRP of $60k and now it is for sale for half of that with relatively low miles. You can find the 4th generation (2013+) GS all day long for mid $20s-low $30k and these are cars that generally sold for well over $50k. Pretty steep 50% or more depreciation in 2-3 years.

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[50jae]

In reponse to the post about the ugly grille, agreed, reason I didn't consider Lexus when I was in the market. Japanese luxury brands really regressed both in style and value recently and genesis can really fill that void if they play their cards right. G80 sport and g70 look like they are going in the right direction

 

[balfor]

In reponse to the post about the ugly grille, agreed, reason I didn't consider Lexus when I was in the market. Japanese luxury brands really regressed both in style and value recently and genesis can really fill that void if they play their cards right. G80 sport and g70 look like they are going in the right direction

I agree with you, I got a Genesis to replace my 2013 Lexus GS in large part due to the styling. The newer 2016+ GS grills are especially bad, they just look terrible. It's sad in a way as I've owned Lexus since 2001 but I can't take the look anymore. Even the older 2007-2011 GS were far more elegant and restrained then Lexus went off the deep end it seems.

 

[Program1]

I was torn between the Genesis and the GS also. In the end I liked the roomier feel to the Genesis (although I was shopping for an F-Sport GS). I didn't like the mouse joystick in the Lexus and my insurance was just a bit cheaper. Gas mileage was about the same but I can run regular through my Genesis (the manual of the GS says it won't take regular gas and it's widely debated so I won't get into here).

The Genesis will depreciate much more than the GS but so the "cost of ownership" calculator will show the GS to be the better buy.

But - That all glass ceiling on the Genesis is just so nice.

In the end, buy what makes you happy. If your shopping for a $25k-$30k luxury sedan, get the car you want. Not the car that makes that fills in the check boxes.

 

[Hotboi]

Though haven't owned a Lexus I really don't find myself looking at them during to the grille which has been stated. Resale value though, your best bet is to go with Lexus. But I'd consider looking down south if your looking for a Genesis. You can find a 15-16 ultimate Genesis for around $25-$29K. I imagine the bells and whistles in the Lexus probably lack in some areas that the ultimate has.
Good place to look is Atlanta and somewhere in Fla.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I guess if you want a Lexus GS, you might as well get one now. They're not making next generation GS. It's gone and it'll be replaced by the ES. The Genesis Sedan will be here for the foreseeable future with the G80...

 

[Program1]

The Genesis Sedan will be here for the foreseeable future with the G80...

If Lexus is going to discontinue the GS due to low sales, what's the sales look like for the G80?

 

[XPO439]

Not a fan of the look on the new Lexus GS. Aside from the grill, those tail lights are pretty ugly. The older GS looked okay, but the new ones are grotesque.

I love my 5.0 sedan, I get stares and compliments everywhere I go. The GS are a dime a dozen, I really don't find them unique at all. Is it better than the genny? Maybe, considering just how many people have one over a genny.

By the way, I have also been approached by Lexus GS and IS owners at car meets where they've stated, "I should've bought one of those. That V8 is crazy!"

 

[Aquineas]

I guess if you want a Lexus GS, you might as well get one now. They're not making next generation GS. It's gone and it'll be replaced by the ES. The Genesis Sedan will be here for the foreseeable future with the G80...

Man when that car came out and with the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" commercial, I wanted one BAD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA6HUySkFss