2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2019 Volvo S60

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, giving it a more upscale presence. It featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, which added a dramatic flair compared to the previous generation's staid appearance. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, creating a cohesive and upscale feel. The interior was spacious and functional, with comfortable seats suitable for long drives. The base S trim came well-equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like V-Tex leatherette seating, a panoramic moonroof, and advanced driver-assistance systems.

The 2019 Volvo S60, on the other hand, transformed Volvo's image from quirky to sexy. It scaled down the flagship S90's design to fit a small luxury platform, resulting in a more athletic stance. The S60's design was both beautiful and functional, with trims including Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The base Momentum trim offered a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a power driver’s seat with memory settings. The R-Design added sporty touches like fog lights and paddle shifters, while the Inscription featured genuine leather upholstery and advanced driver-assistance features. The S60's interior was stylish but had some awkward control placements, like the starter and drive-mode selector.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta featured a single engine option: a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than the previous model, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with smooth and sporty steering. It offered a refined ride without feeling too soft, and both the manual and automatic transmissions returned 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 was a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which we drove, featured a twin-charged 2-liter engine producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, sent to all-wheel drive. The T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined 400 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. The T6 provided instant throttle and transmission responses, and the S60 felt firmly planted through corners. The T6's fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with our test model achieving 23.2 mpg.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable even on long trips, and both front and rear legroom were adequate despite being slightly reduced. Trunk space decreased to 14.1 cubic feet but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen moved above the front climate vents and the shifter repositioned for better usability. The Jetta blended touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, making it highly functional.

The 2019 Volvo S60 took a form-over-function approach with its interior. While it offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample cubby space, some physical controls were awkwardly placed. The starter and drive-mode selector were difficult to reach, but the conventional shifter was a smart choice. The backseat space was decent, and the S60's 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable 10.25-inch digital display that could project navigation and other information.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation. While visually appealing, it required multiple touches for simple tasks like adjusting the climate control. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating. However, it included a Volume dial, Play/Pause button, and a Home button for easier navigation.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base S. The SEL and SEL Premium added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2019 Volvo S60 included front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. Standard driver-assistance features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and traffic-sign recognition. The Advance Package added a head-up display, 360-degree camera, and Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.