Hyundai Genesis vs Lexus IS 250 01/28/2011
Hyundai has sought to reinvent itself lately, offering some high-class luxury vehicles while leaving the budget models that it was previously known for to its sister brand, Kia. The Hyundai Genesis is the South Korean automaker's attempt at an entry-level luxury sedan. We put it up against a luxury model that's been on the market for years, the Lexus IS 250, to see how it stacks up.
The Genesis starts out approximately $350 more expensive than the IS 250, with a $33,000 price tag compared to the Lexus' sticker of $32,645. However, Hyundai does offer a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty while Lexus only offers a 6 year/70,000 mile pledge. If something were to occur with the vehicle that required maintenance after the Lexus' warranty ran out, the Genesis would quickly make up the price difference.
In terms of performance, the Genesis actually outclasses the Lexus. With a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 290 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, the Hyundai is well ahead of the IS 250's 204 hp and 185 lb-ft.
On the interior, both cars offer a nice lineup of standard features. They're almost exactly the same, except the Genesis has heated seats while the Lexus only has them as an option.
In the end, the comparison is not really close. It looks like Hyundai has a true winner on its hands with the Genesis.