Volvo S60 vs Nissan Versa

Volvo had managed to completely 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 cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The S60's design featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic stance thanks to its rear fender and C-pillar. The car's beauty was evident, and its design invited closer inspection.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum included features like a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. 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, among other premium features.

The 2020 Nissan Versa had moved away from its previous "big car" styling details, adopting a more handsome design inspired by its larger siblings, the Maxima and Altima. The new Versa's styling was evocative without borrowing oversized elements. Inside, the cabin resembled that of the Nissan Kicks, offering plenty of interior space for a subcompact sedan.

The Versa's cabin featured a straightforward yet stylish design, with a two-tone theme and unique seat patterns. The car came in three trims: S, SV, and SR. The base S trim included 15-inch steel wheels, power-adjustable side-view mirrors, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The mid-range SV trim, which was tested, upgraded to 16-inch alloy wheels and added heated side mirrors. The top-tier SR trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and automatic climate control.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The base T5 engine was a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which was tested, 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, 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 observed fuel economy of 23.2 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, now producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine sent power to the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The base S trim came with the manual transmission, while the CVT was standard on the SV and SR trims.

The Versa's acceleration had improved, making it more capable of getting up to highway speeds. The CVT in the SV trim managed power well, with a Sport mode for livelier performance. The Versa's steering was responsive, and the car handled turns with precision. Fuel economy for the manual transmission was 27 mpg city, 35 highway, and 30 combined, while the CVT offered 32/40/35. Observed fuel economy during testing was 34.7 mpg.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior design prioritized form over function, with sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample cubby space. However, some physical controls, like the starter and drive-mode selector, were awkwardly placed. The conventional shifter was a smart choice, offering a familiar P-R-N-D layout. Backseat space was decent, and the S60's 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space was average for the class.

The 2020 Nissan Versa retained its predecessor's 15-cubic-foot trunk, one of the largest in the class. However, it lost 6 inches of rear legroom, making the backseat less suitable for long drives. The front seats offered plenty of legroom, even for taller drivers, making the Versa a good personal commuter car.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation. While the system 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.

The 2020 Nissan Versa stepped up its game with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text-messaging assistant. The SV trim added the NissanConnect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The upgraded instrument panel featured a digital screen with a digital tachometer and various menus for safety alerts, Bluetooth streaming, and fuel-economy stats.

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 Versa added standard driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Other standard safety features included a reversing camera, front- and side-impact airbags, and Nissan's Easy Fill Tire Alert.