Volvo S60 vs Honda Civic

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 2020 Honda Civic, on the other hand, was the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design across its three body styles—sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback. The sedan had an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback’s tall rump added a quirky touch. The Civic’s exterior was visually stimulating without appearing cheap, and the 2019 model year updates to grilles, bumpers, and wheels carried over to 2020, enhancing its already appealing look.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The base T5 featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive (FWD). The T6, which we drove, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine making 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, sent to all-wheel drive (AWD). The range-topping T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, featuring a hybrid AWD layout. The T6 provided instantaneous 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 yielding 23.2 mpg.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered four engines and two transmissions, all front-wheel drive (FWD). The base LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 making 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the hatchbacks in Sport or Sport Touring trims making 180 hp. The Si variant boosted the 1.5-liter engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R delivered an insane 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Si and Type R came exclusively with a stick-shift. The Civic Si’s adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a thrill to drive, despite some turbo lag. Fuel economy for the Si was rated at 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined.

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 physical controls were awkwardly placed. The starter’s location between the front seats and the drive-mode selector’s roller design were not user-friendly. However, the conventional shifter was a smart choice. The backseat space was decent, and the 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2020 Honda Civic improved its interior with a volume knob and better cupholders. The hatchback had more sound insulation, and the EX hatchback featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The three-spoke steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel, and the conventional PRNDL shifter was a welcome feature. The Civic felt roomy for rear passengers, though it lacked rear air vents. The trunk offered 15 cubic feet of cargo space in sedan trims, 12 cubic feet in coupes, and up to 46 cubic feet in hatchbacks with the rear seats folded down.

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 even froze, which could be frustrating. Despite these issues, the Sensus system had a volume dial, play/pause button, and a home button for easy navigation.

The 2020 Honda Civic’s infotainment system was outdated, slow, and complex compared to newer Honda models. The 7-inch touchscreen, standard on all models except the base LX, included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. LaneWatch, a camera system for blind-spot monitoring, was very effective. Automatic climate control was standard, and Honda Sensing was included on all trims, offering advanced safety features.

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 Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2020 Honda Civic featured Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Improvements to the optional LED headlights helped the Civic earn the Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R. The Civic received a five-star rating from the NHTSA in all categories except the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe, which received four stars.