2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2019 Volvo S60

2019 Volvo S60
2019 Volvo S60
$35,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
$21,750MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Volvo S60
$35,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
$21,750MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2019 Volvo S60 is 8.3 out of 10, while the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2019 Volvo S60 is the recommended choice for its superior performance, luxury, and advanced safety features.

Overview

MSRP

$35,800

MSRP

$21,750

Average price

$22,861

Average price

$21,765

Listings

94

Listings

304
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Poor ergonomic design
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Outdated technology

2019 Volvo S60 Reviews Summary

The Volvo S60 competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus IS, and Infiniti Q50. But the S60 wasn't always so competitive. In fact, dating back to 2000, it was kind of its own thing, the closest competitor being Saab. Well, Saab is no more, and Volvo woke up, realizing it had to make a sedan with mass appeal. From a visual standpoint, it’s hard not to find the S60 appealing.

2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Reviews Summary

When the Honda Civic first went on sale in the US in 1973, it was a tiny 3-door hatchback capitalizing on concerns arising out of the OPEC Oil Embargo. In other words, it was a safe and smart choice during a period of unrest and uncertainty. Eventually though, years after oil pipelines once again gushed with plentiful crude, hatchbacks became synonymous with economic despair. Judgmental types assumed you couldn’t afford anything better, and soon few people wanted them anymore. Today, hatchbacks are making comebacks, and the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback is a good example of why.
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 250 hp I4

Engine

1.5L 174 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

174 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

24

MPG City

31

MPG Highway

36

MPG Highway

40
2019 Volvo S60
2019 Volvo S60
$35,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
$21,750MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2019 Volvo S60
$35,800MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
$21,750MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2019 Volvo S60 is 8.3 out of 10, while the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2019 Volvo S60 is the recommended choice for its superior performance, luxury, and advanced safety features.

Overview
MSRP
$35,800
$21,750
Average price
$22,861
$21,765
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.5
4.6
Expert reviews

8.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Poor ergonomic design
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Fun to drive
Cons
  • Outdated technology
Summary
The Volvo S60 competes with the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus IS, and Infiniti Q50. But the S60 wasn't always so competitive. In fact, dating back to 2000, it was kind of its own thing, the closest competitor being Saab. Well, Saab is no more, and Volvo woke up, realizing it had to make a sedan with mass appeal. From a visual standpoint, it’s hard not to find the S60 appealing.
When the Honda Civic first went on sale in the US in 1973, it was a tiny 3-door hatchback capitalizing on concerns arising out of the OPEC Oil Embargo. In other words, it was a safe and smart choice during a period of unrest and uncertainty. Eventually though, years after oil pipelines once again gushed with plentiful crude, hatchbacks became synonymous with economic despair. Judgmental types assumed you couldn’t afford anything better, and soon few people wanted them anymore. Today, hatchbacks are making comebacks, and the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback is a good example of why.
Video
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.0L 250 hp I4
1.5L 174 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
250 hp @ 5500 rpm
174 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
24
31
MPG Highway
36
40
Look and feel
2019 Volvo S60
10/10
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
7/10

Volvo had successfully transformed its image from quirky to sexy over the past decade, and the 2019 S60 was a testament to this change. The S60 scaled down the flagship S90 sedan’s design to fit a small luxury platform, competing with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. The exterior featured straight lines and precise angles, with the rear fender and C-pillar giving it an athletic stance. The S60’s design was so captivating that it invited closer inspection, even if it didn’t always prioritize function over form.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned half a decade ago, continued to evolve with subtle tweaks for the new model year. The styling updates included body-color crossbars on the air intakes, a new grille, and smoked headlights. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint and glossy black detailing, garnered admiration and even some mistaken identity as a Type R. Inside, the Civic Hatchback offered stitched leather on the steering wheel and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The manual gearbox added a sporty touch, and the overall design provided a refined and quiet driving experience.

Performance
2019 Volvo S60
8/10
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
9/10

The 2019 Volvo S60 offered three powertrain options: T5, T6, and T8. The base T5 engine was a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, sent to front-wheel drive. The T6, which we drove, featured a twin-charged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to all-wheel drive. The range-topping T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 400 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, capable of a 21-mile all-electric range. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T6 provided instant throttle and transmission responses, making it a joy to drive, while the AWD system ensured a firmly planted feel through corners. Fuel economy for the T6 was estimated at 21 mpg city, 32 highway, and 25 combined, with our test achieving 23.2 mpg.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque was 162 pound-feet with the CVT and 177 pound-feet with the 6-speed manual transmission. The Civic Hatchback’s engine was quiet and refined, providing ample power for front-wheel drive. The manual transmission’s long clutch travel and gearbox throws differentiated it from the Civic Si, which offered a tighter and more thrilling driving experience. The Civic Hatchback, however, was easier to live with daily, offering a softer ride and quieter cabin. Fuel economy was rated at 32 mpg combined, with our test achieving 32.7 mpg.

Form and function
2019 Volvo S60
6/10
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
8/10

The 2019 Volvo S60’s interior design favored form over function, with some awkward control placements. The starter was located between the front seats, requiring a “T-Rex Arm” reach, and the drive-mode selector was a cumbersome roller. However, the conventional shifter was a welcome choice. The backseat offered decent space, especially compared to competitors like the Lexus IS, and the trunk provided 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the HR-V Touring. While it couldn’t match the HR-V for maximum volume, the Civic’s performance and fuel efficiency were superior. The driver’s seat was low but comfortable, with ample thigh support, though the passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The center console storage was brilliantly designed, with configurable space for large water bottles. Rear seat comfort was good, but the lack of air-conditioning vents and dark tinted glass could make it uncomfortable in hot weather.

Technology
2019 Volvo S60
6/10
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
8/10

The 2019 Volvo S60 featured the Sensus touchscreen infotainment system, which looked great but had a steep learning curve and occasional lag issues. Many functions were buried in the touchscreen, making simple tasks like adjusting the climate control cumbersome. However, it did include a volume dial, play/pause button, and track skip buttons for convenience.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback’s dashboard included digital instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the LX trim. The system featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, a quick-charging USB port, and a 12-speaker premium sound system. While it lacked a tuning knob and had subpar voice recognition, it offered automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock for added convenience.

Safety
2019 Volvo S60
10/10
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
7/10

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 features 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.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, featuring forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, though it lacked refinement. The Civic did not have a blind-spot monitoring system but included LaneWatch for the right-side blind spot. The Civic received top marks for crash-test performance but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance.

Cost Effectiveness
2019 Volvo S60
10/10
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
7/10
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