Volkswagen Passat vs Volvo S60

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, but its rear fender and C-pillar gave it an athletic stance. The design was so captivating that it invited closer inspection, even if it didn't always prioritize function.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum included a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other features. The R-Design, which was tested, added fog lights, power-retractable side-view mirrors, and an R-Design steering wheel with paddle shifters. The top-tier Inscription offered genuine leather upholstery and 4-zone climate control, along with the optional Advance Package, which included a 360-degree camera and Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat resembled its predecessors from 2012 to 2019 and took styling cues from the redesigned VW Jetta. However, the interior was revamped, featuring a dashboard that adhered to the previous car's design, including a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The Passat lacked the latest VW technology, but its simplicity made it easy to use.

Inside, the Passat was spacious with wide, comfortable seats and excellent outward visibility. It offered four trims: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL. The base S trim was priced at $22,995, while the top-of-the-line SEL was $31,095. The SE trim, priced at $25,845, provided a good blend of value and equipment. The R-Line, tested at $28,645, featured sporty looks and additional options like Aurora Red paint and remote engine start.

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 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.

The T6 provided impressive 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's fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with a real-world average of 23.2 mpg. The T5 had an estimated 24 mpg city, 36 highway, and 28 combined, while the T8's overall fuel economy was not specified.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It used a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. The Passat's simplicity extended to its powertrain, with no complex driving modes. The engine's torque allowed for easy acceleration, although the transmission occasionally upshifted too eagerly. Sport mode improved this behavior. The Passat averaged 26 mpg in combined driving, close to the EPA's 27-mpg rating.

The Passat's steering was light and effortless, with good precision. The brakes were slightly grabby but effective. The car handled predictably with impressive roll control, although the suspension tuning was less than ideal. It was too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over rises and dips, resulting in a busy ride. However, the Passat conveyed important road surface information, thanks to its German engineering.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior prioritized form over function. While it offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample storage space, some design choices were awkward. The starter's location between the front seats and the drive-mode selector's roller mechanism were inconvenient. However, the conventional shifter was a welcome choice. The backseat space was decent, and the 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide seats, large door openings, and excellent visibility. The base S trim featured cloth upholstery, while the SE and R-Line had V-Tex leatherette seats. The SEL trim included genuine leather and sport seats. The Passat's trunk space measured 15.9 cubic feet, with a flat load floor for maximum utility. The trunk could easily accommodate full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation. While it looked great, many features were buried in the screen, making simple tasks like adjusting the temperature cumbersome. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating. However, it included a volume dial, play/pause button, and track-skip buttons for convenience.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest VW technology, but its 6.3-inch touchscreen display covered the basics. It included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim added navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs. The test car also had remote engine start, and the SEL trim offered a parking steering-assist system.

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 active bending headlights. It also included Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system with smart cruise control.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning as standard. It also featured an automatic post-collision braking system. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned the top rating of Good in crash-test assessments by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).