2019 Volvo S60 vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

Volvo had managed to transform its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade. The 2019 S60, a scaled-down version of the flagship S90 sedan, competed with luxury models like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The S60 featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic stance thanks to its rear fender and C-pillar design. The S60's design was so captivating that it invited closer inspection, even if it didn't always prioritize function.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was one of the best-looking cars on the market, despite not being a sports or luxury car. Available as a sedan and a hatchback, the latter showcased Mazda's design prowess with a clean rear quarter panel and sports-car-like taillights. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was equally impressive, with clean, uncluttered spaces and seamless technology integration. The low, sports-car-like seating position added to its appeal, although it made rear-seat accommodations tight.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured 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, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, sent to all-wheel drive. The T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, offering a 21-mile all-electric range. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T6 provided instant throttle and transmission responses, making it a joy to drive. Fuel economy for the T6 was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with our test model achieving 23.2 mpg.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available with the automatic transmission. The SkyActiv-G engine offered responsive acceleration and athletic handling, making it a great commuter car with the potential for spirited driving. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the most efficient being the FWD automatic sedan at 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. Our test model achieved 28.2 mpg in combined driving.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior prioritized form over function, with sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample storage space. However, the placement of the starter and drive-mode selector was awkward. The conventional shifter was a welcome choice, offering familiarity in a market filled with proprietary designs. The backseat was decently spacious compared to competitors, and the S60 offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The low, sports-car-like seating position benefited front-seat passengers but made rear-seat accommodations tight, especially for taller individuals. The center console had a deep tray and a center bin, but the armrest design was cumbersome.

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 did include a volume dial, play/pause button, and a home button for easier navigation.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3's 8.8-inch screen ran the latest MazdaConnect infotainment system with crisp graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which could be less intuitive for some users. The head-up display and fully digital instrument panel added to the luxury feel, but the remote-only control system required a learning curve.

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 features 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 Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. However, these features were not standard on the base sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage parking brake system was not intuitive.