The 2021 Volvo S60 and Lexus IS300 are two of the top competitors in the luxury sport sedan segment. Though the two share distinctive qualities, both draw rave reviews for their sophistication, craftsmanship and performance. Let’s put the two competitors head to head and see which sport sedan comes out on top.
Volvo S60 vs. Lexus IS300 Luxury
You can’t really compare two luxury sport sedans against each other without exploring what amenities each offer. Buyers in this segment don’t simply want a point A to point B mode of transportation. Drivers want to be overwhelmed from the moment they open the door with an aura of elegance. They want passengers to be impressed, and rightfully so—this isn’t carpooling in a Chevy Cruze.
Inside, the S60 stuns with a stylish cabin filled with many high-tech features. A massive 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 9-inch Sensus touchscreen infotainment system provides drivers with a higher level of connectivity than ever before. With control of your smartphone, apps, navigation and screen displays directly at your fingertips, the S60’s interior technology integration is both seamless and unparalleled. This is a large step up over the Lexus IS300, which comes standard with only an 8.0-inch infotainment screen and a gauge cluster that’s far less visually striking and intuitive.
Volvo S60 vs. Lexus IS300 Performance
While luxury may be at or near the top of buyer’s wish lists, performance certainly is an equal counterpart in this segment. The S60 is available with three major powertrain variants—a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder in the T5, a 316-horsepower 2.0L twin-charged four-cylinder (both turbocharged and supercharged) in the T6, and a plug-in hybrid variant of the 2.0L twin-charged unit that also receives a boost from an electric motor, delivering more power to the rear axle. In the AWD Recharge T8 trim, the S60 delivers an astounding 400 horsepower. Impressively, that figure is even further increased to 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque in the range-topping Recharge T8 Polestar.
The Lexus certainly delivers respectable performance, but it’s simply outclassed by the Volvo S60 here. In base configuration the IS300 features a 241-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and an upgraded 311-horsepower V6 in the IS350.
Volvo S60 vs. Lexus IS300 Pricing
The 2021 Volvo S60 starts at $39,390 in base T5 Momentum trim. The 2021 Lexus IS300 is priced slightly above that figure with a $40,025 starting MSRP after destination and handling. The next closest competitors are the performance-oriented S60 T6 R-Design and Lexus IS350 F-Sport. These AWD sport sedans deliver more horsepower, better handling and more aggressive styling for those looking for top-tier performance in the segment.
The 2021 S60 T6 R-Design starts at $49,640, while the Lexus IS350 starts at $45,925. While the cars are close competitors in entry-level configuration, the Volvo ascends beyond the Lexus in terms of pricing in upper-level trims as shown here. Though it’s a bit pricier, the S60 R-Design boasts a world-class interior adorned with high-grade materials and unrivaled technology. This statement doesn’t apply to the IS350 to the same degree, and that’s not even mentioning the S60’s superior zero to 60 mph time (5.2 seconds in the T6 R-Design compared to 5.5 seconds in the IS350).
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