BMW 3 Series vs Genesis G70 vs Lexus IS
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
Choose your shortlist
The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 BMW 3 Series edges ahead by just 2.8 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 BMW 3 Series
63.4
2026 Lexus IS
60.6
2026 Genesis G70
57.5
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Lexus IS
$42,385 incl. destination — $5,285 less than the runner-up
2026 BMW 3 Series
25/34 city/hwy
2026 Lexus IS
311 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Lexus IS and the 2026 BMW 3 Series and the 2026 Lexus IS. Start with the 2026 Lexus IS at $42,385 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
BMW · Mid-Size Sedan
2026 BMW 3 Series
“Engaging and class-leading driving dynamics”
See the full reviewTrim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- 3 Series$61,770
- G70$56,250
- IS$45,560
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- 3 Series$1,223/mo
- G70$1,114/mo
- IS$902/mo
vs. Base Trim
- 3 Series+$14,100
- G70+$8,500
- IS+$3,175
| 3 Series M340i | G70 3.3T Sport Prestige | IS IS 350 F Sport Design | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $61,770 | $56,250 | $45,560 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $1,223/mo | $1,114/mo | $902/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$14,100 | +$8,500 | +$3,175 |
11 of 11 features shown
3 SeriesG70IS
2.0L TwinPower Turbo Engine
Included Not included Not included
BMW Curved Display
Included Not included Not included
3.0L Inline-6 Engine
Included Not included Not included
M Sport Suspension
Included Not included Not included
300-hp 2.5L Turbo engine
Not included Included Not included
10.25-inch Navigation System
Not included Included Not included
365-hp 3.3L Twin-Turbo V6
Not included Included Not included
Brembo Braking System
Not included Included Not included
Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
Not included Not included Included
311-hp 3.5L V6
Not included Not included Included
F Sport Exterior Styling
Not included Not included Included
| 2.0L TwinPower Turbo Engine | Included | Not included | Not included |
| BMW Curved Display | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 3.0L Inline-6 Engine | Included | Not included | Not included |
| M Sport Suspension | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 300-hp 2.5L Turbo engine | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 10.25-inch Navigation System | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 365-hp 3.3L Twin-Turbo V6 | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Brembo Braking System | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 | Not included | Not included | Included |
| 311-hp 3.5L V6 | Not included | Not included | Included |
| F Sport Exterior Styling | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Full Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- 3 Series$46,675
- G70$46,500
- IS$41,235
Est. dealer invoice
- 3 Series$43,875
- G70$43,710
- IS$38,761
Destination fee
- 3 Series$995
- G70$1,250
- IS$1,150
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- 3 Series$47,670
- G70$47,750
- IS$42,385
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- 3 Series$944/mo
- G70$946/mo
- IS$839/mo
Trims offered
- 3 Series2 (from $46,675)
- G702 (from $46,500)
- IS2 (from $41,235)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- 3 Series2.0L Turbo I4, 3.0L Turbo I6
- G702.5T I4, 3.3T V6
- IS2.0L Turbo I4, 3.5L V6, 5.0L V8
Horsepower
- 3 Series255 hp
- G70300 hp
- IS311 hp
Fuel economy
- 3 Series25/34 city/hwy
- G7020/28 city/hwy
- IS21/28 city/hwy
Seating
- 3 Series5 seats
- G705 seats
- IS5 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- 3 SeriesMid-Size Sedan
- G70Compact Sedan
- ISCompact Sedan
Assembly location
- 3 SeriesMunich, Germany & San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- G70Ulsan, South Korea
- ISTahara, Japan
Safety awards & ratings
- 3 SeriesIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- G70IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- ISIIHS Top Safety Pick (2026)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- 3 Series330i
- G702.5T Standard
- ISIS 350 F Sport Design
Trim to skip
- 3 SeriesM340i
- G703.3T Sport Prestige
- ISIS 300
Key rivals
- 3 SeriesMercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus IS
- G70BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4
- ISBMW 3 Series, Genesis G70, Audi A4
| |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $46,675 | $46,500 | $41,235 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $43,875 | $43,710 | $38,761 |
| Destination fee | $995 | $1,250 | $1,150 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $47,670 | $47,750 | $42,385 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $944/mo | $946/mo | $839/mo |
| Trims offered | 2 (from $46,675) | 2 (from $46,500) | 2 (from $41,235) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | 2.0L Turbo I4, 3.0L Turbo I6 | 2.5T I4, 3.3T V6 | 2.0L Turbo I4, 3.5L V6, 5.0L V8 |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 300 hp | 311 hp |
| Fuel economy | 25/34 city/hwy | 20/28 city/hwy | 21/28 city/hwy |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Mid-Size Sedan | Compact Sedan | Compact Sedan |
| Assembly location | Munich, Germany & San Luis Potosí, Mexico | Ulsan, South Korea | Tahara, Japan |
| Safety awards & ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | IIHS Top Safety Pick (2026) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | 330i | 2.5T Standard | IS 350 F Sport Design |
| Trim to skip | M340i | 3.3T Sport Prestige | IS 300 |
| Key rivals | Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus IS | BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 | BMW 3 Series, Genesis G70, Audi A4 |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Lexus · Compact Sedan
2026 Lexus IS
“Striking and aggressive exterior design that hasn't aged”
See the full reviewPros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
BMW 3 Series
Mid-Size Sedan
Pros
- Engaging and class-leading driving dynamics
- Clean and modern digital dashboard
- Respectable fuel economy for the performance
Cons
- Steep monthly payment for the segment
- Polarizing lack of physical climate buttons
Genesis G70
Compact Sedan
Pros
- Punchy base engine performance
- High-quality physical interior controls
- Distinctive and premium exterior styling
Cons
- Tight rear seating and trunk space
- Lower fuel efficiency than hybrid rivals
Lexus IS
Compact Sedan
Pros
- Striking and aggressive exterior design that hasn't aged
- Exceptional build quality from the Tahara, Japan plant
- User-friendly physical controls and comfortable seating
Cons
- Dated infotainment interface and screen integration
- Below-average fuel efficiency for the compact segment
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
BMW 3 Series
Performance
- Linear and punchy power from the 255 hp I4
- World-class 8-speed automatic transmission
- M340i's I6 is a masterpiece of smoothness
- Steering feel can be slightly synthetic in Comfort mode
Handling
- Near-perfect weight distribution for balance
- Excellent body control through corners
- Direct and responsive turn-in
- M Sport suspension is stiff on rough roads
Comfort
- Highly supportive and adjustable front seats
- Quiet cabin at highway speeds
- Premium interior touchpoints
- Tight legroom for the rear middle passenger
Genesis G70
Performance
- Potent 300-hp base engine
- Linear power delivery from the V6
- V6 fuel economy is thirsty in city driving
Handling
- Communicative and weighted steering
- Excellent chassis balance
- Ride quality can be stiff over broken pavement
Comfort
- Highly adjustable, supportive front seats
- Quiet cabin at highway speeds
- Cramped rear legroom for taller adults
Lexus IS
Performance
- Linear power delivery from the 311 hp V6
- Refined and smooth engine notes across the range
- Predictable throttle response without turbo lag
- Six-speed automatic can feel dated during spirited driving
- Fuel economy is lower than most turbocharged rivals
Handling
- Heavy, communicative steering feel
- Excellent chassis balance and mid-corner stability
- Rear-wheel-drive dynamics provide an engaging experience
- Noticeable weight penalty compared to the BMW 3 Series
- Turning radius is slightly wider than expected
Comfort
- Superb seat ergonomics and long-haul comfort
- Quiet cabin with minimal wind and road noise
- High-quality interior materials feel built to last
- Rear seat legroom is tight for taller adults
- Small trunk opening limits cargo utility
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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