Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2023 Volvo S60

The Lexus LS 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 LS 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 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.

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 LS’ reliability 16 points higher than the S60.

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 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.

The LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 107 more horsepower (354 vs. 247) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6 is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 (21.7 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 6.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 (22.2 vs. 15.9 gallons).

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S60.

The LS 500h 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.

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

The LS stops shorter than the S60:

For better traction, the LS has larger standard tires than the S60 (245/50R19 vs. 235/45R18). The LS 500 F Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S60 (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S60. The LS’ optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the S60.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The LS has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The LS F-Sport offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the LS 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 LS has a standard 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 LS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The LS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The S60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 9.9 inches longer than on the S60 (123 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the LS is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S60.

The LS 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.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the LS 500 AWD is quieter than the S60 Core:

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

The LS has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S60 (99.4 vs. 96).

The LS has .2 inches more front hip room, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The S60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the S60 (17 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

The engine in the LS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 LS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the LS’ 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 LS has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

The LS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The S60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The LS has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the S60.

The LS offers optional massaging front and rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the S60.

The LS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The S60 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.