Compare the2024 Volvo S60VS 2023 Audi S5 Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The S60 has standard CTA Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The S60 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the S5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S60 has standard Cross Traffic Alert and Braking Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for rear cross-path warning on the S5 Sportback.

The S60’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the S60 and the S5 Sportback 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, plastic fuel tanks, 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, rearview cameras, 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 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The S5 Sportback is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the S60 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S5 Sportback.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the S60 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The S5 Sportback’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the S60 has a standard 800-amp battery. The S5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The S60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 106 more horsepower (455 vs. 349) and 154 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 369) than the S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the S60 T8 running on electricity gets better mileage than the S5 Sportback (74 city/73 hwy MPGe vs. 21 city/30 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the S60 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the S5 Sportback:

The S60 T8 can travel with zero emissions for 41 miles. The S5 Sportback can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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 S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S60’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the S5 Sportback (113.1 inches vs. 111.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the S60 is .5 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the S5 Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the S60’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the S5 Sportback’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

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 S5 Sportback (.3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the S60 get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the S60 Core is quieter than the S5 Sportback Prestige:

The S60 has 5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Sportback (96 vs. 91).

The S60 has 1 inch more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the S5 Sportback.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the S60’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

The S60 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The S60 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the S5 Sportback, 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.

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 S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback 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 is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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