Compare the2023 Lexus ESVS 2023 Volvo S60

The Lexus ES 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 S60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the ES and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The S60 has not been fully tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 99 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 14th.

As tested in Consumer Reports the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6 is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The S60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The ES 300h 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 ES has standard front gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the ES 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 ES offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The ES F Sport 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 ES a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The ES has 3.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S60 (99.9 vs. 96).

The ES has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear hip room than the S60.

The ES has a much larger trunk than the S60 (13.9 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

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 ES’ 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 S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S60 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the ES 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 ES owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the ES with a number “1” insurance rate while the S60 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ES is less expensive to operate than the S60 because it costs $45 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the ES than the S60, including $88 less for a water pump, $163 less for a muffler, $46 less for front brake pads and $389 less for a fuel pump.

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

The Lexus ES outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost six to one during 2022.