Compare the2025 Lexus LSVS 2025 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 110 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 25th.

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 Car and Driver the LS 500h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	LS	S60
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	6.1 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	14.5 sec	15.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.3 sec	7 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.1 sec	3.5 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.3 sec	14.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	98 MPH
Top Speed	141 MPH	131 MPH

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:

	LS	LS 500 F Sport	S60
Front Rotors	14 inches	15.7 inches	13.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.1 inches	14.1 inches	12.6 inches

The LS stops shorter than the S60:

	LS	S60
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	114 feet	Motor Trend

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 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 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.4 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:

	LS	S60
At idle	38 dB	42 dB
Full-Throttle	74 dB	75 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	68 dB

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 48% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

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 in the rear.

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 Lexus LS has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the S60.

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

The LS’ optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The LS will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the LS will retain 45.41% to 49.82% of its original price after five years, while the S60 only retains 40.81% to 45.27%.