2020 Dodge Charger vs 2019 Volvo S60

Volvo had managed to completely transform its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade. The 2019 S60, a scaled-down version of the flagship S90 sedan, competed with luxury cars like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The S60's design featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic stance thanks to its rear fender and C-pillar. The S60's beauty was evident, and its design invited closer inspection.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum included features like a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The R-Design, which we drove, added fog lights, power-retractable side-view mirrors, and an R-Design steering wheel with paddle shifters. The top-tier Inscription offered genuine leather upholstery and 4-zone climate control, along with the optional Advance Package, which included active bending headlights and a 360-degree camera.

Dodge resurrected the Charger name in 2006 with a modern muscle car silhouette. The 2020 Charger, which had undergone a major facelift in 2015, retained its menacing headlights and gaping grille. The 2015 update introduced a thin inlet grille and more aggressive headlights, aligning with Dodge's identity as a modern American performance brand.

The Charger's cabin blended retro and modern elements, with vintage-looking bezels housing digital displays. The rear-wheel-drive platform required a raised transmission tunnel, creating a cockpit-like feel. The 2020 Charger came in several trims: SXT, GT, R/T, and Hellcat. The SXT featured 17-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen, while the GT added 20-inch wheels and a larger 8.4-inch infotainment screen. The R/T and Hellcat trims offered powerful V8 engines and additional performance features.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which we drove, had a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, sent to all-wheel drive. The T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, offering a 21-mile all-electric range. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The T6 provided impressive acceleration, with instantaneous throttle and transmission responses. Despite its front-wheel-drive layout, the S60 felt like a rear-wheel-drive sedan, staying flat through corners. The T6's fuel economy was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with our test model achieving 23.2 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered various powertrains corresponding to its trim levels. The SXT and GT featured a 3.6-liter V6, producing 292 hp in the SXT and 300 hp in the GT. Both engines sent power to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available as an option. The R/T came with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, delivering 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, along with an upgraded performance suspension and active exhaust.

The R/T Scat Pack boasted a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, Brembo brakes, and launch assist. The range-topping Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Charger lineup offered a range of performance options, from the base V6 to the powerful Hellcat, with each model providing a unique driving experience.

The 2019 Volvo S60's interior prioritized form over function, with sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample storage space. However, some controls, like the starter and drive-mode selector, were awkwardly placed. The conventional shifter was a welcome choice, offering a familiar P-R-N-D layout. The S60's backseat space was decent, with 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, about average for its class.

The 2020 Dodge Charger offered ample space, with plenty of legroom in the rear seats. The driver and front passenger enjoyed well-bolstered bucket seats and generous head- and legroom. The Charger featured helpful storage solutions in the doors and center console, along with a large 16.5 cubic foot trunk. The 60/40 split-fold rear bench provided additional storage space, making the Charger a practical choice for families and performance enthusiasts alike.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which took a tablet-like approach to menu navigation and graphics. While the system looked great, it required multiple touches to access certain features, like climate control. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating. However, the Sensus system included a Volume dial, Play/Pause button, and Home button for easier navigation.

The 2020 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch screen available on higher trims. Both screens ran FCA's Uconnect system, which featured Bluetooth, USB connectivity, satellite radio, HD radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Uconnect system's simplicity and logical menu layout made it easy to use, with docked icons for quick access to various functions. The digital display screen in the instrument panel provided additional information and was easy to navigate using the steering wheel controls.

The 2019 Volvo S60 came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It also included driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and traffic-sign recognition. The Advance Package added a head-up display, headlight washers, a 360-degree camera, and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system with smart cruise control.

The 2020 Dodge Charger featured standard front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and rear parking sensors. Available safety features included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. The Charger also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Charger's crash prevention technology earned the highest score of Superior from the IIHS, though many of these features were optional.