Compare the2022 Lexus NXVS 2021 Volvo V60

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the NX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The V60 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus NX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the NX’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The V60 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the NX and the V60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the V60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the V60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 66 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 18th.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h is faster than the V60 T5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the NX 450h running on electricity gets better mileage than the V60 T8 Polestar running on electricity (93 city/75 hwy vs. 70 city/68 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the V60 running its gasoline engine:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 37 miles. The V60 T8 Polestar has to start its internal combustion engine after only 22 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus NX higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Volvo V60 (5 to 7). This means the NX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the V60 every 15,000 miles.

The NX offers an available 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 V60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The NX stops shorter than the V60:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX offers optional 20-inch wheels. The V60’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The V60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The V60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the NX uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the V60, 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.

For greater off-road capability the NX has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the V60 (7.7 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Volvo V60.

The NX is 3.9 inches shorter than the V60, making the NX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The NX has 1 inch more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the V60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The V60’s rear seats don’t recline.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The V60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

The NX’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The V60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The V60 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the NX has standard extendable sun visors. The V60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus NX offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The V60 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The NX 350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The V60’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 56.76% to 60.81% of its original price after five years, while the V60 only retains 42.19% to 43.68%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus NX will be $11082 to $27603 less than for the Volvo V60.

The Lexus NX outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.