The Volvo S90, a luxury sedan that replaced the Volvo S80, has consistently prioritized safety. Introduced in 2017, the S90 underwent changes in its wheelbase in 2018. This analysis focuses on the 2018-2025 Volvo S90 models, including the 2019 Volvo S90, based on rigorous side-impact crash testing. These ratings also extend to the Volvo V90 and V90 Cross Country wagons, and the Volvo S90 Recharge plug-in hybrid variants (later known as S90 plug-in hybrid from 2025 models onwards).
The safety evaluation of the Volvo S90 2019 is based on two side crash tests conducted on a 2018 model: one by an independent institute and another by Volvo themselves. The combined data from these tests provide a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle’s performance in side-impact scenarios.
Overall Side Impact Performance: “Good” Rating
The Volvo S90 achieved an overall “Good” rating in side impact evaluations. This top rating signifies robust protection for occupants in the event of a side collision. Key evaluation criteria and their corresponding ratings are detailed below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | A |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
This table clearly indicates “Good” protection (“G”) across most critical areas for both driver and rear passenger. The “Acceptable” rating (“A”) for driver torso injury measures suggests a slightly higher risk in this specific area compared to others, but still within an acceptable safety margin.
Structural Integrity and Occupant Compartment
A “Good” rating for “Structure and safety cage” is crucial. It demonstrates that the Volvo S90 2019’s structural design effectively maintains its integrity during a side impact crash. This minimizes intrusion into the occupant compartment, which is vital for protecting passengers.
The measurements of occupant compartment intrusion further illustrate this structural performance. Negative values in the table below indicate the crush stopped short of the driver’s seat centerline, highlighting the effectiveness of the S90’s side structure in resisting deformation.
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side (cm)
| Test ID | CES1808 | VTS1805 |
|---|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -19.0 | -19.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate crush stopped short of seat centerline. |
Driver and Passenger Injury Measures: Head and Pelvis Protection
The Volvo S90 2019 excels in head and pelvis protection for both driver and rear passenger, achieving “Good” ratings. Head protection is largely attributed to the effective deployment and coverage of side curtain airbags, as indicated by greasepaint markings on the dummy heads after testing.
Technical measurements from the crash tests provide granular data on potential injury risks. Lower HIC (Head Injury Criterion) values and lower forces and deflections generally indicate better protection. Reviewing the driver and passenger injury measures tables gives a detailed insight into the performance metrics recorded during the tests.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES1808 |
| Head HIC-15 | 119 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 35 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.81 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.82 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.3 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.6 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 185 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | 38 |
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES1808 |
| Head HIC-15 | 144 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 1.1 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 18 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.0 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 15 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 13 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 1.63 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.11 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.7 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.6 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 99 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -28 |
Conclusion: Volvo S90 2019 – A Safe Choice
The Volvo S90 2019 demonstrates strong side impact safety performance, earning a “Good” overall rating. Its robust structure, effective occupant protection systems, and favorable injury measures in crash tests reinforce its position as a safe vehicle choice in the luxury sedan market. These ratings apply not only to the 2019 Volvo S90 sedan but also to the V90 wagon and S90 Recharge models within the specified model years, offering peace of mind for Volvo owners concerned about side impact safety.
