In a world where automotive technology evolves at breakneck speed, one truth remains unchanged: Volvo still builds some of the safest cars on earth. This legacy was reaffirmed yet again as the refreshed Volvo XC90 — launched in South Africa in October — secured one of the industry’s most coveted accolades: the 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award.
The honour, bestowed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), is not easily earned. Award criteria continue to tighten, crash scenarios become more complex, and the bar for occupant protection rises year after year. Yet the XC90 not only met these elevated standards — it excelled across nearly every measure.
A New Benchmark for Crash Protection
The XC90 delivered a string of outstanding results across IIHS crashworthiness and crash avoidance testing, performing especially well in the updated moderate overlap front test — now one of the toughest and most scrutinised evaluations.
This test was recently redesigned to include:
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A rear-seat dummy
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New back-seat injury measurements
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Revised scoring that incorporates both chest compression and shoulder-belt placement
Despite the intensified criteria, the XC90 earned a ‘good’ overall rating, the highest score possible.
Inside the cabin, stability was exceptional. Crash data showed that:
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The driver enjoyed strong protection to the head, neck, chest, hips, thighs, legs and feet
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The survival space around both the driver and rear passenger remained intact
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The rear passenger experienced low head, neck and chest injury risk thanks to stable belt positioning
The lap belt remained neatly across the pelvis, while the shoulder belt gripped at the correct height — crucial factors in preventing serious torso injuries.
History Repeats: More ‘Good’ Ratings Across the Board
The XC90’s proven safety pedigree carried through every additional test.
In the original small overlap front test (driver’s side), the SUV once again earned a ‘good’ rating, demonstrating impressive cabin integrity and low injury risk across critical body regions.
The result? A reaffirmation of Volvo’s long-standing philosophy: strong structure, smart restraints, and advanced engineering save lives.
Crash Avoidance & Safety Technology: Strong, Predictable, Volvo
Crash prevention — another pillar of IIHS scoring — showed equally impressive performance.
The XC90’s standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system achieved an ‘acceptable’ rating in the IIHS’ updated 2.0 test. In multiple scenarios, the SUV either completely avoided a crash or slowed significantly to reduce impact force.
Pedestrian detection also scored an ‘acceptable’ rating — a critical protection area in dense urban environments.
Inside the cabin, the XC90 earned a ‘good’ rating for its seatbelt reminder system, supported by enhancements to the rear seatbelt load limiter. These refinements highlight Volvo’s commitment to protecting every occupant in every row.
Safety as a Philosophy, Not a Feature
From its 2016 redesign to the newly refreshed 2025 model, the XC90 has remained an icon of automotive safety — and Volvo has never allowed the model to rest on its reputation.
The latest updates, including:
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A refreshed front design
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New exterior paint options
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A high-resolution 11.2-inch central touchscreen
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Updated interior materials
…are paired with continual safety improvements that keep Volvo ahead of global benchmarks.
Grant Locke, Managing Director of Volvo Car South Africa, emphasises that awards like these reflect relentless dedication rather than complacency:
“Safety has always been the foundation of the brand, and the latest recognition from the IIHS confirms that the XC90 continues to be a leader in the segment.
The updated moderate overlap results show that we do not take our heritage for granted. We are constantly looking for ways to make every journey safer for every occupant. The Top Safety Pick+ award is an important reminder of why customers continue to place their trust in Volvo.”
A Victory for Consumers — And a Warning to Competitors
In a market filled with SUVs that look safe, the refreshed Volvo XC90 stands apart by proving it.
The 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ is more than a badge — it is global validation of Volvo’s uncompromising safety ethos, modern engineering, and human-centric design. For families, commuters, long-haul travellers, and anyone who values peace of mind on the road, the message is clear:
The Volvo XC90 isn’t just safer. It’s setting the standard for everyone else.
