Nissan Sentra vs Volvo S60

Volvo had successfully transformed its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade. The 2019 S60, a scaled-down version of the flagship S90, competed with luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Its design featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic stance thanks to the rear fender and C-pillar. The S60's beauty was evident, and its design invited closer inspection. The trims included Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription, each offering various luxury features and driver-assistance systems. The R-Design trim, which was tested, included fog lights, power-retractable side-view mirrors, and an R-Design steering wheel with paddle shifters. Optional add-ons included heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a premium stereo system.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra, on the other hand, had never been known for its looks until this model. The new Sentra, especially in Electric Blue paint, was a scaled-down Altima with a more refined and mature design. It featured a lower and wider body, detailed stampings, and a V-shaped grille. The SV Premium Package added 17-inch wheels, while the SR trim included 18-inch wheels and fog lights. The interior was upgraded with a flat-bottom leather steering wheel, white-stitched leatherette dash, and knurled climate knobs. The SV Premium Package offered quilted tan leather seats and Infiniti-grade materials, making the Sentra's interior comparable to entry-level luxury cars.

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 was tested, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder 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 output of 400 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, featuring a hybrid all-wheel-drive layout. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T6 provided instant throttle and transmission responses, making it enjoyable to drive. The S60 felt like a rear-wheel-drive sedan despite its front-wheel-drive layout, staying flat through corners. The T6's fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with a real-world average of 23.2 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra came with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Sentra's acceleration tapered off after 30 mph, partly due to an overly sensitive throttle pedal. The Eco mode subdued this behavior, while Sport mode held the revs longer. The CVT mimicked gear changes smoothly and responsively. The Sentra's independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, with quick steering and good on-center feel. The EPA-rated fuel economy was 29 mpg city, 39 highway, and 33 combined, with a real-world average of 30 mpg.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior focused on aesthetics, with sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample cubby space. However, some controls were awkwardly placed, such as the starter and drive-mode selector. The conventional shifter was a smart choice, offering 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 Sentra's backseat was surprisingly spacious, accommodating a 5-foot-11 passenger comfortably. The front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity cushioning, reducing fatigue on long drives. The lowered body profile improved side visibility, but the rear window was raked and partially blocked by headrests. The driving position and controls were user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning. The trunk space measured 14.3 cubic feet, with foldable seatbacks for added versatility.

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 Home button for easier navigation.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra did not offer ProPilot, navigation, or wireless charging, but it came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and WiFi on the mid-level SV. The SV also included dual-zone climate control, proximity-entry key, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start. The SV Premium Package added bright LED headlights, while the SR trim included a Bose stereo, sunroof, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and 360-degree cameras.

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, active bending headlights, and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2020 Nissan Sentra had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top ratings. It included rear side airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, forward and reverse emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a driver attention monitor as standard features.