Compare the2023 Volvo S60VS 2022 Honda Accord

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo S60 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Honda Accord doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The S60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Accord doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the S60 and Accord have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Accord’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The S60 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Accord doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The S60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Accord doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The S60 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Accord doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The S60 offers an optional 360° Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Accord only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The S60 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Accord Sport 2.0T/EX/EX-L/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S60 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Accord Sport 2.0T/EX-L/Touring has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the S60 and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras 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 Volvo S60 is safer than the Honda Accord:

	S60	Accord
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	192	261
Neck Compression	63 lbs.	74 lbs.

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 Volvo S60 is safer than the Honda Accord:

	S60	Accord
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	140
Hip Force	212 lbs.	431 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	271	386
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	62 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	34 G’s
Hip Force	490 lbs.	756 lbs.

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

Warranty

The S60 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Accord’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The S60’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Accord’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the S60 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Accord.

Reliability

The battery on the S60 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the S60’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Accord’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (247 vs. 192) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 192) than the Accord’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The S60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 203 more horsepower (455 vs. 252) and 250 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 273) than the Accord’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Honda Accord 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

	S60	Accord
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	7.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.2 sec	19.1 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7 sec	8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.5 sec	4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.7 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	91 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	121 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the S60 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Accord:

			MPGe
S60
	AWD	T8 Electric Motor	74 city/73 hwy
Accord
			MPG
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
		Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/35 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy

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

			MPG
S60
	FWD	B5 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/35 hwy
	AWD	B5 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/33 hwy
		T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	28 city/33 hwy
Accord
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/32 hwy

The S60 T8 can travel with zero emissions for 41 miles. The Accord can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the S60 T8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Accord doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the S60’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available T8). Honda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Accord 1.5T.

The S60 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord (15.9 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the S60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord:

	S60 T5	S60 Polestar	Accord	Accord Sport/Touring
Front Rotors	12.7 inches	14.6 inches	11.5 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	12.6 inches	11.1 inches	11.1 inches

The S60’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Accord are solid, not vented.

The S60 stops much shorter than the Accord:

	S60	Accord
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the S60 has larger tires than the Accord (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17).

The S60’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S60 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Accord.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S60’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the Accord (113.1 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

The S60 Plus AWD handles at .91 G’s, while the Accord pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S60 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Accord (25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the S60’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Accord LX/EX-L’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The S60’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Accord 2.0T’s (37.1 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

Chassis

The S60 is 8 inches shorter than the Accord, making the S60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the S60 Core is quieter than the Accord Sport:

	S60	Accord
Full-Throttle	75 dB	78 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	70 dB

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the S60’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Accord’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the S60’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Accord doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The S60’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord LX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S60’s power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Accord doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Towing

The S60’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Accord’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the S60 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Accord doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The S60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Accord uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Accord EX-L/Touring, the S60 Ultimate/Polestar has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The power windows standard on both the S60 and the Accord have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the S60 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Accord prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The S60’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The S60’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Accord’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the S60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Accord doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Accord doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the S60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Accord doesn’t offer cornering lights. The S60 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The S60’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord Sport 2.0T/Sport SE/EX-L/Touring.

The S60’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Accord offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the S60’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the S60 and the Accord offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the S60 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Accord doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s Park Assist Pilot can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Accord doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the S60 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the S60 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Accord is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the S60 is less expensive to operate than the Accord because typical repairs cost much less on the S60 than the Accord, including $13 less for a starter, $81 less for fuel injection, $37 less for front struts and $533 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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

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