2019 Volvo S60 vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

Volvo had managed to 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. Its design featured straight lines and precise angles, with an athletic stance thanks to its rear fender and C-pillar. The S60 was available in three trims: Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription. The entry-level Momentum came with a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other features. The R-Design added sporty elements like fog lights and paddle shifters, while the Inscription offered genuine leather upholstery and advanced driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima shared a design language with other cars in Nissan’s lineup, featuring the signature V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design and quad-tip exhaust finishers added a sporty touch, especially in the SR trim, which also included a rear spoiler. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims. The Platinum trim, which we tested, came with 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a premium interior. The Maxima’s cabin was spacious and well-finished, with the Platinum Reserve Package adding semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The thick center console created a segmented front row, but the overall space was generous.

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The T5 featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 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 making 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, sent to all-wheel drive. The T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T6 provided instant throttle and transmission responses, making it a joy to drive. Fuel economy for the T6 was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with our test yielding 23.2 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. While marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more of a comfortable cruiser. Its Sport drive mode and paddle shifters (available only in the SR trim) made the drive more engaging, but it excelled in soaking up road imperfections. The Maxima was front-wheel drive with an 18-gallon fuel tank. Fuel economy was estimated at 20 mpg city, 30 highway, and 24 combined. The Maxima did not offer a hybrid option, unlike some of its competitors.

The 2019 Volvo S60 had a form-over-function approach to its interior. While it offered sensible steering-wheel-mounted controls and ample storage space, some controls were awkwardly placed. The starter and drive-mode selector were particularly hard to reach. However, the conventional shifter was a smart choice. The backseat space was decent, and the S60 offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which was average for its class.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima provided spacious seating, a large trunk, and modern features. The thick center console limited the feeling of spaciousness up front, but the cabin was otherwise roomy. The Maxima had 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, less than some of its competitors. It offered 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, which was also less than rivals like the Toyota Avalon and Honda Accord. Despite these numbers, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing. The front in-door bottle holders could accommodate 20-ounce bottles, a handy feature for families.

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which had a tablet-like approach to menu navigation and graphics. However, many features were buried in the screen, making simple tasks cumbersome. The system occasionally lagged and froze, which could be frustrating. Despite these issues, the Sensus system had a Volume dial, Play/Pause button, and a Home button for easier navigation.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display. While functional, these screens were not the most modern. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, and the Maxima Platinum offered NissanConnect Services. The available Bose Premium Audio system provided high-quality sound. The Maxima also featured the Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, and keyless entry. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging devices convenient.

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 active bending headlights. Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system, was also part of the package.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control were standard on all trims except the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, earning top ratings in front crash prevention.