2019 Volvo S60 vs 2019 Toyota Prius

Volvo had successfully transformed its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade, and the 2019 S60 was a testament to this change. The S60 scaled down the flagship S90 sedan’s design to fit a small luxury platform, competing with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The result was a car with more flair than the S90, featuring straight lines and precise angles, but with an athletic stance thanks to its rear fender and C-pillar. The S60’s design was so captivating that it invited closer inspection, even if it didn’t always prioritize function.

The 2019 S60 came in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum trim included features like a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The R-Design, which was the test model, added fog lights, power-retractable side-view mirrors, and an R-Design steering wheel with paddle shifters. The top-tier Inscription trim offered genuine leather upholstery and 4-zone climate control, among other premium features.

The 2019 Toyota Prius, on the other hand, was never known for its looks. The fourth-generation Prius, introduced in 2016, had an extroverted design that some argued hurt its sales. Despite its polarizing appearance, the Prius remained a practical choice for daily driving. The 2019 lineup included L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited trims, with prices starting at $23,770 and going up to $32,200, excluding destination charges and the optional AWD-e system.

The test model was an XLE with AWD, painted in Electric Storm Blue. It featured an Advanced Technology Package that included a head-up display and other upgrades, bringing the total price to $32,146. The interior of the Prius was unusual, with centralized controls and a joystick-style gear selector. While the design was offbeat, it was functional, though the gloss black interior trim attracted dust.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 was a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which was the test model, featured a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine making 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, sent to all-wheel drive. The range-topping T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, capable of a 21-mile all-electric range.

The T6 provided plenty of acceleration, with instantaneous throttle and transmission responses. Despite its FWD layout, the S60 felt like a firmly planted RWD sedan, staying flat through corners. The T6 with AWD had an estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, though the test model averaged 23.2 mpg. The T5 had better fuel economy at 24 mpg city, 36 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The AWD-e system powered the rear wheels up to 6 mph and provided extra traction up to 43 mph, after which the Prius operated as a FWD vehicle.

The AWD-e system resulted in lower gas mileage, with the standard FWD Prius achieving 52 mpg combined (56 mpg in L Eco trim) and the AWD-e getting 50 mpg. The test model averaged 48.6 mpg. The Prius used a CVT for power delivery, and the transmission controls were located on the dashboard. The Prius offered a good ride and decent handling, with an EV driving mode for speeds under 25 mph.

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 controls were awkwardly placed. The starter was located between the front seats, requiring a "T-Rex Arm" reach, and the drive-mode selector was a cumbersome roller. However, Volvo made a smart choice with a conventional shifter, which was a welcome change in the luxury market. The backseat space was decent, and the S60 offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which was average for its class.

The 2019 Toyota Prius provided comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver’s seat and heated front seats. Rear passengers had good thigh support and decent legroom, though there were no air conditioning vents in the second row. The Prius offered up to 27.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seat (24.2 in the LE, XLE, and Limited trims) and up to 65.5 cubic feet with the seat folded down (62.7 with AWD-e). These figures were comparable to many small crossover SUVs, making the Prius a practical choice for cargo space.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation and graphics. While it looked great, many features were tucked away into the screen, making simple tasks like changing the temperature cumbersome. The system had a steep learning curve and occasionally lagged or froze. However, it did have a Volume dial, Play/Pause button, and a Home button for easier navigation.

The 2019 Toyota Prius Limited trim offered an impressive infotainment system with an 11.6-inch split-screen display, navigation, and a premium JBL sound system. The XLE AWD-e test model had a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player. The instrumentation was housed in a horizontal strip below the windshield, with some displays looking modern and others outdated. The Advanced Technology Package included a head-up display and adaptive headlights. However, the Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making its technology offerings less impressive.

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, along with the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2019 Toyota Prius Limited trim included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Every Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added a blind-spot-monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking-assist sensors. The Prius received a 5-star rating in federal crash tests and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.