2019 Volvo S60 vs 2020 Nissan Altima

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 exterior featured straight lines and precise angles, with the rear fender and C-pillar giving it an athletic stance. 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 a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other features. 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, along with the contents of the Advance Package, which included active bending headlights and a 360-degree camera.

The 2020 Nissan Altima was available in base S, sporty SR, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The test car was a Platinum model equipped with a turbocharged engine, extra-cost paint, a rear spoiler, and illuminated doorsill kick plates, bringing the price to $37,825. The Altima Platinum featured 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels, which enhanced its appearance. The redesign from the previous year had cleaned up the styling, though some details like the door handles and body-color lower diffuser panel were less appealing.

Inside, the Altima's design was clean and contemporary, with an ergonomic layout. The touchscreen infotainment system was high on the dashboard, and the climate controls were easy to read. The materials quality was on par with the midsize sedan segment, with matte chrome detailing and simulated wood trim adding a touch of elegance. However, the interior color options were limited to black or gray.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured 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, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine making 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, sent to all-wheel drive. The range-topping T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, featuring a hybrid all-wheel-drive layout and a 21-mile all-electric range.

The T6 provided plenty of acceleration, with instantaneous throttle and transmission responses. Despite its front-wheel-drive layout, the S60 felt like a firmly planted rear-wheel-drive 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 achieved 23.2 mpg in combined driving. The T5 had an estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 36 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 Nissan Altima mostly came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing up to 188 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) powering the front wheels. All-wheel drive was an option with this engine. The test car had the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the VC-Turbo, which produced 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 29 mpg, though the test model averaged 26.2 mpg.

The Altima featured a strut front, multi-link rear suspension, dual-pinion electric steering, and 4-wheel-disc brakes. The SR and Platinum trims had 19-inch wheels, with the SR also getting sports suspension tuning. The Altima's ride and handling were impressive, thanks to standard Active Ride Control and Intelligent Trace Control. The VC-Turbo engine provided a satisfying driving experience, with quick and responsive performance.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior design prioritized form over function, though it still offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample cubby space. However, the placement of the starter and drive-mode selector was awkward. The conventional shifter was a smart choice, providing a familiar P-R-N-D layout. The backseat space was decent, and the 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2020 Nissan Altima's seats were designed for superior comfort, though the lack of a front passenger's seat height adjuster and ventilated front seats was disappointing. The Altima offered heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote engine starter with climate control operation. Rear air conditioning vents were standard, but heated rear seats were not available. The trunk had 15.4 cubic feet of space, with optional grocery bag hooks and an interior grab handle.

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 adjusting the temperature cumbersome. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating.

The 2020 Nissan Altima offered an 8-inch infotainment system with physical and virtual buttons for easy navigation. It came standard with Bluetooth, a text-messaging assistant, Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included satellite radio, a navigation system, a 9-speaker Bose audio system, and NissanConnect Services. The door-to-door navigation function was particularly helpful, though the voice recognition technology could be improved.

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 Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2020 Nissan Altima included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking standard on the base S trim. Higher trims added pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high-beam assistance. Additional safety systems included a driver monitoring system, road-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera. ProPilot Assist, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving aid, was also available. The Altima received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS.