2025 Volvo S60 vs. Competitors
Buyers looking for a European compact sports sedan tend to focus on the German models, but the Volvo S60 represents a credible alternative, especially for shoppers looking to stand out more. Let’s see how the Volvo S60 breaks out from the pack by comparing it to the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Unless mentioned otherwise, this matchup looks at the least expensive all-wheel-drive trims for each nameplate (S60 B5 Core, A4 Premium, BMW 330i, and Mercedes-Benz C 300) for the 2025 model year.
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Pricing
While the S60 ($44,750) and A4 ($44,100) have similar starting prices, the 330i ($47,950) and C 300 ($48,500) come at a substantial premium. Moving up to the top-tier trims, the Volvo has an approximate $1,000 advantage over the Audi, while still costing thousands less than the BMW and Mercedes.
Powertrains
All four vehicles have similar equipment under the hood: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system to enhance efficiency. The S60’s 247-horsepower output trails the 330i and C300 (both with 255 hp) and the A4 (261 hp), but this translates into mostly better fuel economy (which we explain below).
In addition, the S60 is also available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which the A4 and 3 Series don’t offer. The S60 Plug-In Hybrid puts out a robust 455 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and up to 41 miles of all-electric driving for a starting price of $52,100. The Mercedes C-Class is available as a PHEV but only as a high-performance AMG variant, with a base MSRP of $86,050.
Expert and Consumer Ratings
The S60 has an 8.0 out of 10 overall Edmunds expert rating, narrowly beating the A4 and C 300 (each with 7.9). The 330i just edges out the S60 with an 8.1 rating. However, there are several specific categories where the Volvo stands above the others or at least matches them. The S60 excels in comfort (8.5), outperforming the A4 (8.0) and C-Class (7.5), while its fuel economy score (9.0) equals the BMW and surpasses the Audi (7.5) and Mercedes (8.0). In driving dynamics, the S60 scores an 8.5, matching the BMW and Mercedes while outscoring the Audi A4 (7.5). Consumers on the Edmunds website also favor the Volvo S60. The sedan received an overall 4.5 out of 5 rating, beating the A4 (4.4), 330i (4.3), and C 300 (3.5).
Dimensions
The Volvo S60 provides the best front legroom at 42.3 inches, exceeding the Audi A4 (41.3 inches), BMW 3 Series (42.0 inches), and Mercedes C-Class (41.7 inches). The front shoulder room is also generous at 56.1 inches, surpassing the A4's 55.9 inches and the 330i’s 56.0 inches. The S60's wheelbase of 113.1 inches is the longest in the group, exceeding that of the A4 (111.0 inches), BMW (112.2 inches), and Mercedes (112.8 inches), which contributes to a smoother ride quality. The S60 also offers slightly more front headroom (37.4 inches) than the A4 (37.3 inches).
