Compare the2022 Toyota Prius PrimeVS 2021 Volvo S60

The Toyota Prius Prime has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps 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 knee airbags.

Both the Prius Prime 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Prius Prime 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Prius Prime’s warranty.

The S60’s redline is at 6000 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Prius Prime has a 4000-RPM redline.

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 Prius Prime’s reliability 23 points higher than the S60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Volvo is ranked 18th.

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the S60 Recharge running on electricity (145 city/121 hwy vs. 70 city/68 hwy MPGe).

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

The Prius Prime’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 25 miles, 14% further than the S60 Recharge’s 22-mile range.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Prius Prime uses regular unleaded gasoline. The S60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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

The Prius Prime 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.

The front and rear suspension of the Prius Prime 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 Prius Prime’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the S60’s (33.4 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The Toyota Prius Prime may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 1050 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The Prius Prime is 4.5 inches shorter than the S60, making the Prius Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Toyota Prius Prime amounts to more than styling. The Prius Prime has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is lower than the S60 (.27) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Prius Prime get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Prius Prime 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.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Prius Prime Limited is quieter than the S60 Momentum:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Prius Prime a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The Prius Prime has 2 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more front legroom than the S60.

The Prius Prime has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the S60 (19.8 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Prius Prime has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Prius Prime will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Prius Prime will retain 46.7% to 46.86% of its original price after five years, while the S60 only retains 40.05% to 43.62%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Prius Prime is less expensive to operate than the S60 because it costs $354 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Prius Prime than the S60, including $406 less for a muffler, $78 less for front brake pads, $112 less for fuel injection and $416 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Prius Prime will be $12709 to $32553 less than for the Volvo S60.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Prius Prime as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.