2019 BMW 330i and 2019 Volvo S60 matchup | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #207
TLDR: CR prefers the BMW’s handling, ride, cockpit layout and fuel efficiency and would buy it over the Volvo.
The Volvo leaves them wanting more, especially the goofy screen.
CR seems to think leasees don’t care about the bad screen because they are only keeping the car a couple years.
Volvo will not drive and handle better than a BMW, period. Why even compare them on this?
because it was supposed to be a competitor (sports sedan)
Nah, not a competitor as a sports sedan. Competitor in mid(?) size - entry(?) luxury sedans - yes.
IDK. The one I had as a loaner recently felt more like a sport sedan than luxury.
BMW? Sure it is a sport sedan. Volvo - no way. That’s what I’m trying to say 
ohhh…gotcha. Misunderstood what you were saying.
Yep, so they should be compared on everything, but sportiness.
Than again most of the time I’m not slinging a car around curves in sports mode as I drive bumper to bumper on the beltway. At those moments I’m really more concerned with adaptive cruise control and insulation from NVH.
This is a strange comparison, the swedespeed message board is all hurt about it ha. This idea of comparing the “typical model” at 47k T5 to a 53k 330i when for example my T6 R-design stickered under 50k and addresses many of the issues. I get their point, but on the other hand I or anyone else is not confined to only buying whatever CR considers the “typical model” so what does it matter.
I take exception that the Volvo can’t be compared on sportiness… you see the T6 R-design has this little $200 option called “sport chassis” that very few dealers are ordering on stocked S60s. In fact I asked the @Bostoncarconcierge to have the dealer find one for me. I drove one at another dealer that smartly stocked a few of them, then I scoured every dealer site in New England trying to find another without luck. In the end the dealer was able to find one…the very same car I drove.
All the presser R-designs that are getting great reviews on the sport aspect, are euro spec with standard sport chassis. I have a lot of experience modifying suspensions for street/sport. The Volvo sport chassis is a massively impressive setup as far as compromise for good wheel control without totally ruining comfort. Its surprisingly aggressive for a Volvo. So you can get a Volvo that compares to an M-sport 330i or sport pack A4…If you can find one…
Agreed. Their explanation for testing a T5 is bogus. The T6 would be an appropriate comparison even without the sport suspension.
The T5 MOM doesn’t even get that high. A loaded one is around $44k, nicely loaded is around $42k. But 330i in the test might have a 46k one.
Now, you are comparing a 316 hp T6 to a 255 hp M-sport 330i, how’s that apples-to-apples? At least they tried to compare similar trims, though T5 does not come with AWD. T6 R with sport chassis (and you can also add Polestar) may be the sportiest S60 ever, but it still will not be better than 340i, IMO
Sorry Bear but I disagree. This is what Volvo describes the S60 as on their website (I’m sitting at an airport in the UK so ignore the saloon naming).
Designed for driving
The new Volvo S60 is the sport saloon that rewrites the driving story. Effortless performance meets intuitive technology, while a sophisticated chassis balances comfort and control.
If they want to talk the talk then they are fair game.
I don’t know, how would I as a buyer compare cars? Based on what @Ursus has decided is “the same class”? I compared what was affordable and the M340i (starts at 56k my S60 stickered at $49790) was out of my price range, the 330i and the S60 were similarly affordable. Who cares about the HP numbers. The Swedish horses are clearly not as strong as the German ones anyways. But the price and performance is comparable.
In fairness they don’t have that copy on the US site, and they show the R-design, which gets the sport chassis as standard in Europe.
But marketing will do what marketing does. They can say whatever they want. “balance comfort and control” means something vastly different to a typical Volvo customer vs a BMW customer, I am guessing…
Anyone here in the Los Angeles area (westside) come see me I will test drive you in both of them. Message me if you are interested in buying/leasing either one of these cars
Calling the 330 a sports sedan is becoming a stretch more and more.
I would think these two are becoming closer than we would have ever thought.
They described the previous generation S60 as “naughty”, implying sportiness 
Doesn’t matter what Volvo calls it.
You need compare apples-to apples, like I said. That’s why they compared T5 to 330i and not T6 R to 330i. BMWs are obviously more expensive by 4-6k, but Volvo is a much better value, that’s why you got one. Not because it drives better then a comparable 340i. But Volvo has always been a different type of car with emphasis on the safety, while BMW’s emphasis is on driving experience.
Agree to disagree ha, apples to apples is price, features, performance, all on par with the 330i. The M340i is a beast and costs more. I didn’t actually compare the 2019 anyways, due to the lease deals it would have to have been a '18, and that car…drives like a turd. I didn’t even consider it really.
I don’t really give a crap about branding, BMW’s “emphasis” has been fading for years, and safety is at such a high level now its not really a reason to buy a Volvo for me. I was literally not interested in any Volvo, ever except the RD with sport chassis. You really ought to drive one some time!