Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Plug-in hybrid
2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteriaRating
Small overlap front
G
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Moderate overlap front: updated test
A
Side: updated test
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteriaRating
Headlights
A
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system (built before December 2024)
A

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteriaRating
Seat belt reminders
G

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

  • Rating applies to 2016-25 models built before December 2024

Tested vehicle: 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum Plus 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC90 was redesigned for the 2016 model year after a one-year absence from the market and a plug-in hybrid electric variant was introduced. Beginning with 2021 models the plug-in hybrid electric variant became known as the Volvo XC90 Recharge but has since reverted back to its previous name of plug-in hybrid for the 2025 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall driver-side evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury. (The loose object in the upper right is a small plastic trim part that dislodged during the impact.)

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEN1543
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Footrest (cm) 2
Left toepan (cm) 2
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEN1543
Head
HIC-15 37
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.14
Chest maximum compression (mm) 16
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.24
Right 0.41
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.1
Right 0.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 27
Right 16

Passenger-side

  • Rating applies to 2016-25 models built before December 2024

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC90 was redesigned for the 2016 model year after a one-year absence from the market and a plug-in hybrid electric variant was introduced. Beginning with 2021 models the plug-in hybrid electric variant became known as the Volvo XC90 Recharge but has since reverted back to its previous name of plug-in hybrid for the 2025 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volvo.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTP1917
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Footrest (cm) 5
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 5
Right lower dash (cm) 4

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTP1917
Head
HIC-15 55
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 19
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 17
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.41
Right 0.74
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 27
Right 23

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTP1917
Head
HIC-15 54
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.17
Chest maximum compression (mm) 28
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.37
Right 0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 26
Right 29

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-25 models built before December 2024

Tested vehicle: 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC90 was redesigned for the 2016 model year after a one-year absence from the market and a plug-in hybrid electric variant was introduced. Beginning with 2021 models the plug-in hybrid electric variant became known as the Volvo XC90 Recharge but has since reverted back to its previous name of plug-in hybrid for the 2025 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volvo.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID VTF1507
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 2
Center (cm) 2
Right (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -6
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID VTF1507
Head
HIC-15 174
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 6
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 1.0
Femur force - right (kN) 1.8
Knee displacement - left (mm) 2
Knee displacement - right (mm) 5
Maximum tibia index - left 0.41
Maximum tibia index - right 0.39
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 3.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 39
Right 76

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2025 models built before December 2024

Tested vehicle: 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge Core 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC90 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid variant of the XC90 was introduced in the 2016 model year. These ratings do not apply to the IC variant of the XC90.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
A
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Thigh/hip
G
Leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
M
Thigh
G
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the head or neck and a moderate risk of injury to the chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEF2449
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 6
Center (cm) 7
Right (cm) 5
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -5
Rearward (cm) -3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteriaMeasurement
Test ID CEF2449
Head
HIC-15 105
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 1.6
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.20
Right 0.46
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 4.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 96
Right 48

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2449
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.8
Compression (kN) 0.1
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 33
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 6.0
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.1
Right femur compression 0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2025 models built before December 2024

Tested vehicle: 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 4-door 4wd

The Volvo XC90 was redesigned for the 2016 model year after a one-year absence from the market and a plug-in hybrid electric variant was introduced. Beginning with 2021 models the plug-in hybrid electric variant became known as the Volvo XC90 Recharge but has since reverted back to its previous name of plug-in hybrid for the 2025 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
A
Pelvis
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
A
Pelvis
A
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID CES2241
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -18.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID CES2241
Head
HIC-15 123
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.31
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.61
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.4

Passenger injury measures

Evaluation criteria Measurement
Test ID CES2241
Head
HIC-15 124
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 35
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 29
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.78
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.56
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.1

About the side crash test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • All trims; built before December 2024
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
A
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp right curve, fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Evaluation criteria Measurement
Trim level(s)
  • All trims
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2018-25 models built before December 2024
A
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 84.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 44.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 58.5 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 45.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.5 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 152.2 m
Straightaway left edge 129.4 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 82.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 79.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 63.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.8 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2025 models built before December 2024

System details

  • standard Collision Warning with Full Autobrake
Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
A
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 14 mph.

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 4 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2.2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 9 mph and a warning was issued 0.5 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2025 models built before December 2024

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
DurationLong enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency
Technical measurements for this test
Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h 49 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h 61 dB
Difference between background and signal 11.7 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h 53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h 63 dB
Difference between background and signal 9.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency 528 Hz

About the seat belt reminder evaluation