SUVs tend to dominate the American auto market, but if you’re looking for a premium sedan, you’ve got plenty of choices. Two of the leading contenders are the 2022 Volvo S60 and the 2022 Honda Accord. Both models offer stylish looks, spacious cabins, and exciting performance. You also have the option of efficient hybrid powertrains. Here at Volvo Cars Palo Alto, we’ve put together this guide so you can see how these two sedans compare.
Volvo S60 vs Honda Accord Trim Levels
The gas-powered 2022 Volvo S60 is offered in Momentum, R-Design, and Inscription trim levels. The S60 Recharge plug-in hybrid comes in R-Design Expression, R-Design, Inscription, and Polestar Engineered trims. With the standard 2022 Honda Accord, you have the option of the LX, Sport, Sport Special Edition (SE), EX-L, and Touring Trims. With the Accord hybrid powertrain, you can opt for the base Hybrid trim, Hybrid Sport, EX-L, or Touring.
Exterior Styling Comparison
The Volvo S60 features a bold front grille and fascia, an elegantly sculptured profile, stylish rear end, and a distinctive front and rear LED lighting signature that make it stand out as a luxury sedan. It comes standard with smart key entry, gloss black accents, LED headlights, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic power-folding and dimming mirrors, and door handles with integrated ground lighting. The Inscription trim adds 19-inch wheels, while Polestar Engineered models offer unique, high-performance styling cues.
The Honda Accord has a more aggressive road stance with a fastback style profile, which gives it a sportier appearance. Standard exterior details include keyless entry, LED front and rear lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels. With higher-spec trims, you get features such as LED fog lights, a rear spoiler, and mirrors with turn signals, while the top two trims get a power moonroof and courtesy lighting.
Available Powertrains
Standard power for the S60 comes from the B5 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology. It delivers 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission transfers power to the front wheels or the available all-wheel-drive system.
Powering the S60 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.0-liter turbo paired with an electric motor to generate an impressive 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard on Recharge models and can accelerate you from zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
The Accord’s base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder unit, delivering 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. The Touring trim features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is an option in the Sport trim. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
For the Accord Hybrid, a 2.0-liter engine is paired with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission to develop a total system output of 212 horsepower. It can go from zero to 60 mph in around 7.0 seconds. The Accord is not available with all-wheel drive.
Fuel Economy and MPG
The S60 B5 comes with front-wheel drive, and you’ll be rewarded with up to 26 mpg on Palo Alto’s city streets and 35 mpg when you hit California’s highways. The S60 Recharge returns 74 mpg equivalent and offers an all-electric range of 41 miles.
The Accord’s smaller base engine gives you up to 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg for highway driving. With the equivalent 2.0-liter turbo engine, you’ll get up to 22 mpg and 32 mpg for city and highway driving. The Accord Hybrid returns up to 47 mpg combined.
Interior Features Comparison
Inside the Volvo S60, you’ll find yourself enveloped by premium materials and elegant Scandinavian craftsmanship. The standard panoramic power sunroof provides a light and airy ambiance. Standard in the momentum trim are faux leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a steering wheel and gear selector wrapped in luxurious hand-stitched synthetic material, ambient lighting, and dual-zone automatic temperature control. Available features include leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, limewood trim, quad-zone climate control, and enhanced ambient lighting.
The Honda Accord carries over the sporty looks to the cabin. As standard, it comes with manually adjustable cloth front seats and dual-zone climate control. The Sport SE and higher trims offer leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, a leather-bound steering wheel and shift knob, and sports pedals. Stepping up to the Touring trim gets you heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and ambient lighting.
Technology
Leading the way in innovative technology, the S60 offers a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch infotainment touch screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, four USB ports, and a 10-speaker sound system. Available tech includes a head-up display, navigation, wireless phone charging, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, or a 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
The Accord comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen, smartphone integration, two USB ports, and a four-speaker sound system. Stepping up the model line gets other features, such as an eight- or 10-speaker audio system, additional USB ports, and a wireless phone charger. The top trim offers a head-up display, navigation, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability.
Price Comparison
The starting MSRP for the 2022 Volvo S60 Momentum is $40,295, rising to $43,295 for the sporty R-Design and the luxurious Inscription trims. S60 Recharge models start with an MSRP of $48,695 for the R-Design Expression, while the dynamic Polestar Engineered model starts at $68,845.
For the base 2022 Accord LX, the starting MSRP is $27,615, while the Touring trim starts at $39,545. The Accord Hybrid starts at $28,815, increasing to $32,165 for the Sport, $35,135 for the EX-L, and $38,685 for the Touring trim.
Shop the New Volvo S60 in Palo Alto, CA
The 2022 Volvo S60 offers a more refined driving experience than the 2022 Honda Accord. It also has the added advantages of luxurious interior appointments, extra available features, and technology, and it provides more base engine and hybrid power. To see the Volvo S60’s superb features for yourself, come visit us at Volvo Cars Palo Alto, or call us at (650) 353-4700 to schedule a test drive. You can also fill out our short contact form online and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible. Once you’ve driven the new Volvo S60, we think you’ll be hooked.