Compare the2026 Nissan AltimaVS 2025 Volvo S60

The Nissan Altima has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The S60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Altima achieved an “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volvo S60 has not been tested.

Both the Altima and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Altima is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Altima is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers the Altima 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the S60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Altima’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Altima’s reliability 16 points higher than the S60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Altima first among midsize cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The S60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 29th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 3 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Altima uses regular unleaded gasoline. The S60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Altima higher (6 out of 10) than the Volvo S60 (4 to 6). This means the Altima produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the S60 every 15,000 miles.

The Altima has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The S60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Altima stops shorter than the S60:

The Altima has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The S60 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The front and rear suspension of the Altima uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Nissan Altima may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1000 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The front grille of the Altima uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Altima a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The Altima has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S60 (100.6 vs. 96).

The Altima has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The Altima has a much larger trunk than the S60 (15.4 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Altima has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Altima is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the S60, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Altima offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the S60.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Altima optionally equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The S60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Nissan Altima empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Nissan Altima retains 52.18% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 47.58% resale value of the 2025 Volvo S60 after five years, which can save the Nissan’s owner up to $9417 in depreciation.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Altima is less expensive to operate than the S60 because typical repairs cost much less on the Altima than the S60, including $229 less for a water pump, $273 less for a muffler, $48 less for front brake pads, $190 less for a starter, $66 less for fuel injection and $457 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Nissan Altima, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S60 isn't recommended.

The Nissan Altima outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over 19 to one during 2025.