Volvo XC90

The passenger compartment of the XC90 remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger.  Volvo demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different statures and to those sat in different positions.  In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of the driver dummy was good for all critical body areas.  For the rear passenger, protection of the chest was adequate and that of all other body regions was good.  In the side barrier test, the XC90 scored maximum points with good protection of all critical body areas.  In the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was adequate and that of all other body regions was good.  In the original side pole test and to a lesser extent in the side barrier test, the side curtain airbag failed to deploy to its full extent at its rearmost edge.  This would have resulted in protection for those in the optional third row seats that was less than Volvo had intended.  Volvo investigated the cause and have implemented into production a modified trim panel which allows the airbag to deploy as intended.  Euro NCAP's assessment is based on the updated vehicle currently being produced and Volvo will contact owners of cars with three seat rows in order to retro-fit the modified component.  The front seats and head restraints provided good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats indicated good whiplash protection also for occupants of those seats.  A standard-fit autonomous emergency braking system operates from the low speeds typical of city driving at which many whiplash injuries occur.  The system scored maximum points in Euro NCAP's tests, bringing the car to a halt before collision at all test speeds.