Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2025 Volvo S60

The Lexus IS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 IS 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus IS 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 Lexus IS is safer than the Volvo S60:

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

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 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.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS’ reliability 42 points higher than the S60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The S60 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 92 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 102 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 15th.

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 64 more horsepower (311 vs. 247) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus IS is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

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

The IS stops much shorter than the S60:

The IS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S60’s standard 45 series tires. The IS F Sport’s 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the S60’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S60.

The front and rear suspension of the IS 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 IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the S60 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S60 Plus AWD (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the S60’s (34.2 feet vs. 37.1 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the S60’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The IS has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear hip room than the S60.

The engine in the IS 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 second in service department satisfaction. With a 40% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The IS’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S60 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS (except F Sport Design) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S60 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The IS is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the S60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the IS offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the S60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the IS equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The S60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lexus IS empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS is less expensive to operate than the S60 because it costs $154 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the IS than the S60, including $233 less for a muffler, $84 less for front brake pads and $405 less for a fuel pump.

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

The Lexus IS outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over four to one during 2025.