Compare the2022 Honda InsightVS 2021 Volvo S60

Both the Insight 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

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

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Insight 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Insight’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 Insight’s reliability 15 points higher than the S60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 13 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Insight 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 Honda Insight higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo S60 (5 to 7). This means the Insight produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S60 every 15,000 miles.

The Insight has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The S60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The front and rear suspension of the Insight 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 Insight’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The S60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Insight’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the S60’s (35.7 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The Honda Insight may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 1350 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The Insight is 3.8 inches shorter than the S60, making the Insight easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Insight uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The S60 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Insight a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The Insight has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The Insight has a much larger trunk than the S60 (15.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

Consumer Reports rated the Insight’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the S60’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Insight has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Insight will be $14704 to $34685 less than for the Volvo S60.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda Insight and the Volvo S60, based on reliability, safety and performance.