Compare the2023 Volkswagen Jetta GLIVS 2023 Volvo S60

Both the Jetta GLI and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta GLI’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the S60’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 39 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Volvo.

As tested in Car and Driver the Volkswagen Jetta GLI is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Jetta GLI gets better mileage than the S60 running its gasoline engine:

Both the Jetta GLI Automatic and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Jetta GLI Automatics have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The S60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Jetta GLI higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo S60 (5 to 7). This means the Jetta GLI produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S60 every 15,000 miles.

The Jetta GLI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The S60 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Jetta GLI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S60 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the Jetta GLI’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

The Jetta GLI stops shorter than the S60:

The Jetta GLI has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Jetta GLI uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Jetta GLI has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Jetta GLI handles at .95 G’s, while the S60 Core pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Volkswagen Jetta GLI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1100 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The Jetta GLI has .5 inches more front headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the S60.

The Jetta GLI has a much larger trunk than the S60 (14.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Jetta GLI has a standard extendable sun visor. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta GLI keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S60.

The Jetta GLI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2 of the last 3 years. The S60 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over five to one during the 2021 model year.