2019 Volvo S60 vs 2019 BMW 3 Series

The 2019 BMW 3 Series maintained BMW's evolutionary design approach, avoiding major transformations seen in competitors like Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. The 3 Series, a compact car, was slightly longer and wider than its predecessor but retained a small footprint, making it easy to park and maneuver. The most noticeable design change was the rear doors' Hoffmeister kink, now a piece of black trim. The front featured recognizable BMW elements, including hard-edged half-circle LED running lamps and widened kidney grilles. The tail showcased simplified LED lights, though some found it reminiscent of the Kia Forte. Inside, the 3 Series kept its familiar dash structure, with a screen on top, radio and climate controls in the middle, and cupholders below. The instrument panel was entirely digital, and the interior, while top-class in fit and finish, had some coarse materials.

The 2019 Volvo S60 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design language, moving from quirky to sexy. The S60 scaled down the flagship S90's design to fit a small luxury platform, resulting in a more athletic stance. The S60's exterior featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic rear fender and C-pillar. Inside, the S60 offered trims like Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription, each with varying levels of luxury and features. The R-Design trim, for instance, included fog lights, power-retractable side-view mirrors, and an R-Design steering wheel with paddle shifters. The Inscription trim added genuine leather upholstery and 4-zone climate control. The S60's interior design was aesthetically pleasing, though some controls, like the starter and drive-mode selector, were awkwardly placed.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series offered a range of powertrains, with the 330i xDrive being the most common. It featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The engine was praised for its smoothness and torque, though it had some turbo lag at low speeds. The M340i model, available as a 2020 model, featured a twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The 330i's 8-speed automatic transmission provided perfect shifts and intuitive programming. The M Sport package included a lower and firmer suspension, staggered summer tires, and variable-ratio steering. The 330i xDrive had an EPA rating of 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined, while the RWD version was rated at 26/36/30.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, sent to FWD. The T6, which we drove, had a twin-charged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, sent to AWD. The T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. The T6 provided plenty of acceleration, with instantaneous throttle and transmission responses. The S60 felt like a firmly planted RWD sedan, staying flat through corners. The T6 AWD had an estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined. The T5 was rated at 24/36/28, while the T8's overall fuel economy was not yet available.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series offered a pleasant space for four passengers, with slightly roomier backseat legroom and 17 cubic feet of trunk space. Visibility was good in all directions, and the seats were firm but supportive over long trips. The controls were intuitive, with the main screen now a touchscreen supporting various gestures. The climate controls were easy to use, and the car featured USB-C ports.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior design prioritized form over function. While it offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample cubby space, some controls were awkwardly placed. The starter was located between the front seats, requiring an awkward reach, and the drive-mode selector was a small roller that was difficult to use. However, the S60 featured a conventional shifter, a welcome change from Volvo's previous designs. The backseat space was decent, and the S60's 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series featured extensive technology, though many features required subscription fees. The iDrive system was superb, with customizable main menu tiles and over-the-air updates. The navigation system could learn driving patterns and compensate for traffic. The car offered a credit-card-size key and a digital key option using an NFC-equipped smartphone. Gesture control allowed for various functions, though it was often wonky. The BMW personal assistant used natural speech and the web to answer questions. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included automatic steering around curves and infrared cameras to monitor driver attention.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation and graphics. However, many features were tucked away into the screen, making simple tasks like changing the temperature cumbersome. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating. The S60 did have a Volume dial and a Home button for easier navigation.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with the best ratings in all six crash tests and high ratings for its optional laser headlights and standard forward emergency braking. Pedestrian detection was standard, and optional features included blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous Traffic Jam Assist.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It also included driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and traffic-sign recognition. The Advance Package added a head-up display, headlight washers, a 360-degree camera, and active bending headlights. Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system, was also included in the package.