Compare the2023 Volkswagen JettaVS 2023 Volvo S60

Both the Jetta 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta 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 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’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Jetta’s reliability 18 points higher than the S60.

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.

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

Both the Jetta 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 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 uses regular unleaded gasoline. 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 higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo S60 (5 to 7). This means the Jetta produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S60 every 15,000 miles.

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

The Jetta stops shorter than the S60:

The front and rear suspension of the Jetta 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 Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1450 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The front grille of the Jetta uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Jetta has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the S60.

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

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Jetta to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the S60.

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

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta SEL 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Jetta owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Jetta with a number “3” insurance rate while the S60 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Jetta is less expensive to operate than the S60 because typical repairs cost much less on the Jetta than the S60, including $68 less for front brake pads and $309 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Jetta, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S60 isn't recommended.

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