2021 Volvo XC90  RealSafeCars92Safety Rating

#6 of 2021 SUVs

#11 of all 2021 vehicles


Pictured: 2016 Volvo XC90
The XC90, a mainstay of Volvo's lineup since 2003, is a three-row large SUV with seating up to 7. The XC90 has technology that is now expected: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. With optional all-wheel drive (AWD), it handles mud, snow, and sand with ease. The XC90 provides exceptional fuel efficiency for its class, saving your wallet and the environment. Volvo offers a 4-year, 50,000-mile basic/powertrain warranty on its lineup.


The 2021 Volvo XC90 is very safe compared to all vehicles.

Comparison to all vehicles.  This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2021 Volvo XC90 has a score of 92, implying a 0.026% chance of driver death (2.3% chance of injury).

We estimate that the 2021 Volvo XC90 has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0261% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 2.9809%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0261% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 2.9809% chance of being injured.

Compared to the average vehicle, the 2021 Volvo XC90 is 44% less likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other suvs, the 2021 Volvo XC90 is 36% less likely to result in a fatal accident.

Active safety features with Volvo's IntelliSafe can substantially reduce the risks of harm to vehicle occupants by preventing severe accidents. Active safety systems that are standard on the Volvo XC90 include: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning System, and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).

Safety features can still make a vehicle safer, even if not as flashy as emergency automatic braking. Standard Automatic High Beams automatically switches high beam headlights off when oncoming traffic is approaching and turns them back on when there aren't any vehicles ahead. Standard side mirror turn signals can help when you don't see a vehicle in your blind spot, by alerting them to your intention to switch lanes, which allows the other driver to avoid an accident with you. Standard Cornering Headlights / Leveling Head Lamps points head lamps towards where the vehicle is heading, better lighting the road ahead.


But it is about as safe as many comparable models.

9882Cadillac XT5Cadillac XT6Buick EnclaveLincoln NautilusM.-B. GLE-ClassAudi Q7Volvo XC60Volvo XC90Lincoln AviatorAudi A6Audi Q5Lexus RXComparison to similar models.  This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2021 Volvo XC90 with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 82 to 98. The 2021 Volvo XC90 is safer than the 2021 Cadillac XT5, the 2021 Cadillac XT6, the 2021 Buick Enclave, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, and the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and less safe than the 2021 Audi Q7. It is about as safe as the 2021 Audi A6, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, and the 2021 Volvo XC60.

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