Volvo XC90

The award from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) recognises vehicles offering the best protection in front, side and rear crashes based on ratings in extensive crash tests.

Vehicles are judged as good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on their performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. Volvo's XC90 achieved a ‘Top Safety Pick’ meaning good ratings were earned in all three key IIHS tests.

Meanwhile Subaru came out well in the tests, too. The Legacy, B9 Tribeca and Forester are all highly rated in the scheme, which names the vehicles that perform best in side, front and rear smashes. The tests are among the most stringent in the US.