Compare the2023 Volvo S60VS 2022 Toyota Prius Prime

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
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 Toyota Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the S60 and Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime’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 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 Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime Limited 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 Prius Prime Limited has a rear cross-path warning system.

Compared to metal, the S60’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Toyota Prius Prime has a metal gas tank.

Both the S60 and the Prius Prime 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, 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 Volvo S60 weighs 402 to 1098 pounds more than the Toyota Prius Prime. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Toyota Prius Prime:

	S60	Prius Prime
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	192	229
Neck Injury Risk	25.7%	33%
Neck Stress	189 lbs.	323 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 Toyota Prius Prime:

	S60	Prius Prime
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	168
Hip Force	212 lbs.	373 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	490 lbs.	781 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S60 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Prius Prime last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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 Prius Prime’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 Prius Prime’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the S60 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Prius Prime (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Engine

The S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 126 more horsepower (247 vs. 121) and 152 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 106) than the Prius Prime’s 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The S60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 334 more horsepower (455 vs. 121) and 417 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 106) than the Prius Prime’s 1.8 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Prius Prime:

	S60	Prius Prime
Zero to 30 MPH	2.3 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	10.2 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.2 sec	30.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7 sec	10.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.5 sec	4.7 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.7 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	17.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98 MPH	79 MPH
Top Speed	131 MPH	115 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The S60 T8 can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 41 miles. The Prius Prime has to start its internal combustion engine after only 25 miles.

The S60 has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Prius Prime (15.9 vs. 11.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The S60 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Prius Prime doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	S60 T5	S60 Polestar	Prius Prime
Front Rotors	12.7 inches	14.6 inches	10 inches
Rear Rotors	11.9 inches	12.6 inches	10.2 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 Prius Prime are solid, not vented.

The S60 stops much shorter than the Prius Prime:

	S60	Prius Prime
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the S60 has larger tires than the Prius Prime (235/45R18 vs. 195/65R15).

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 Prius Prime’s standard 65 series tires. The S60’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Prius Prime’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S60 has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 15-inch wheels are available on the Prius Prime. The S60 offers optional 19-inch wheels.

The S60 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on T8) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Prius Prime; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S60’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the Prius Prime (113.1 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the S60 is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Prius Prime.

The S60 Plus AWD handles at .94 G’s, while the Prius Prime Limited pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The S60 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the Prius Prime XLE (25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The S60 has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Prius Prime (96 vs. 91.5).

The S60 has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Prius Prime.

Cargo Capacity

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

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the S60 offers cargo security. The Prius Prime’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the S60. The Prius Prime doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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 Prius Prime doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Towing

The S60 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Prius Prime has no towing capacity.

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 Prius Prime doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The S60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Prius Prime 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

When two different drivers share the S60, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions and outside mirror angle. The Prius Prime doesn’t offer a memory system.

The S60’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Prius Prime’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the S60 and the Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Prius Prime LE/XLE’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Prius Prime doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The S60’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Prius Prime’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 Prius Prime doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The S60 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Prius Prime has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the XLE/Limited.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the S60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Prius Prime 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.

When the S60 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Prius Prime’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Prius Prime offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the S60 and the Prius Prime offer available heated front seats. The S60 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Prius Prime.

The S60’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Prius Prime doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the S60 and the Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the S60 is less expensive to operate than the Prius Prime because typical repairs cost much less on the S60 than the Prius Prime, including $215 less for a water pump, $125 less for front struts, $823 less for a timing belt/chain and $136 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volvo S60 and the Toyota Prius Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance.