Compare the2024 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2024 Volvo S60

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the E-Class Sedan are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The S60 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the E-Class Sedan. But it costs extra on the S60.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The E-Class Sedan has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The S60 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the E-Class Sedan 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, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

There are over 36 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 49 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 61 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

The E 350 Sedan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 8 more horsepower (255 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the E-Class Sedan and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All E-Class Sedans have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The E-Class Sedan has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes E-Class Sedan higher (7 to 8 out of 10) than the Volvo S60 (5 to 7). This means the E-Class Sedan produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S60 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S60.

The E-Class Sedan’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the E 450 Sedan’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

For better traction, the E-Class Sedan’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S60 (F:245/45R19 & R:275/40R19 vs. 235/45R18).

The E-Class Sedan’s 245/35R21 front and 275/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S60’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Class Sedan has standard 21-inch wheels. The S60’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the E-Class Sedan 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 front and rear suspension of the E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The S60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The S60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the S60 (116.6 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the E-Class Sedan is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the S60.

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

The E-Class Sedan has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S60 (100 vs. 96).

The E-Class Sedan has a much larger trunk than the S60 (19.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

The engine in the E-Class Sedan 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.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry and exit feature 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.

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

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan 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.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes E-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S60.

The E-Class Sedan’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Volvo S60 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Volvo 60 Series by 39% during 2023.