Compare the2025 Volkswagen JettaVS 2024 Volvo S60

Both the Jetta and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Jetta is safer than the Volvo S60:

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

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Jetta’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 1 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Volvo.

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

Both the Jetta Automatic and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Jetta Automatics 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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Jetta uses regular unleaded gasoline. The S60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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

The front and rear suspension of the Jetta 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.

For better maneuverability, the Jetta’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the S60’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The Volkswagen Jetta may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1400 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The front grille of the Jetta uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Jetta has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the S60.

The Jetta has a much larger trunk than the S60 (14.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Jetta to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the S60.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the Jetta has a standard extendable sun visor. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Jetta SEL 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 Jetta owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Jetta will cost $1510 to $9980 less than the S60 over a five-year period.

The Jetta will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Jetta will retain 51.63% to 56.7% of its original price after five years, while the S60 only retains 40.81% to 45.27%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Jetta is less expensive to operate than the S60 because typical repairs cost much less on the Jetta than the S60, including $68 less for front brake pads and $309 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Jetta will be $25407 to $42212 less than for the Volvo S60.

The Volkswagen Jetta outsold the Volvo 60 Series by almost four to one during 2023.