Compare the2023 Volvo S60VS 2023 Lexus LS

Both the S60 and LS 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 LS’ 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 LS doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the S60 and the LS 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.

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 LS has not been tested, yet.

The S60’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LS’ (12 vs. 6 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the S60 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the LS (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 15 percent more Volvo dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the S60’s warranty.

The S60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 39 more horsepower (455 vs. 416) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 442) than the LS 500’s standard 3.4 turbo V6.

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

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

The S60 T8 can travel with zero emissions for 41 miles. The LS has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

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). Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

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 LS doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The S60 stops much shorter than the LS:

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 LS’ standard 50 series tires. The S60’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front tires.

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 LS; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The S60 Plus AWD handles at .94 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The S60 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The Volvo S60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 900 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The S60 is 1 foot, 6 inches shorter than the LS, making the S60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volvo S60 amounts to more than styling. The S60 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is lower than the LS (.28 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S60 get better fuel mileage.

The S60 has .1 inches more front headroom and 1.3 inches more front legroom than the LS.

The S60’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The S60 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The LS 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 LS doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo S60 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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 LS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volvo S60, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Volvo S60 Plus AWD higher than the Lexus LS 500 F Sport.

The Volvo 60 Series outsold the Lexus LS by almost three to one during 2022.