The Volvo XC40 earned the highest ratings across all categories in the IIHS crash safety tests, becoming the only compact SUV to achieve an overall “G (Good)” rating.

The IIHS, or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, was established in 1959 as a nonprofit research and education organization aimed at reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from automotive collisions. They conduct extensive tests on new vehicles released in North America at their state-of-the-art research center and subsequently publish safety ratings.

This test was conducted using one of the most representative front crash test methods to address safety gaps for front and rear seat occupants, with the XC40 being the only model among 15 compact SUVs to receive top marks in all categories.

The XC40 also claimed the highest rating in the newly added rear passenger safety category, showcasing Volvo’s commitment to advanced safety design. This isn’t the first time that Volvo has achieved top results in new safety tests. The first-generation XC90 earned a “G (Good)” rating in the small overlap test introduced in 2014, even though it had been built on the same platform since 2003. Similarly, the XC40, which debuted in 2017, passed the new tests without any major structural changes.

Thomas Broberg, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, stated, “Volvo Cars has been developing vehicles according to precise and rigorous safety standards based on real-world collision data. We take pride in validating Volvo’s safety heritage once again through this reputable IIHS test.”

Earlier this April, a total of 13 models from Volvo, including plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, received the “Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+)” rating from the IIHS, achieving the highest number of awards for two consecutive years.

The XC40 sold in South Korea comes equipped with the same high-end safety specifications as its flagship 90-cluster lineup. It offers a cutting-edge safety package based on ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), including features such as ‘Driver Assistance’ and ‘Pilot Assist.’ Additionally, it includes essential safety technologies such as a Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) and Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) to safeguard the driver and passengers from external impacts during collisions.

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr