SUV was among 13 vehicles earning TOP SAFETY PICK awards for 2007 announced by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
 
This award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on ratings in IIHS tests. "Our crash tests cover the most common kinds of real-world collisions," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "Designating TOP SAFETY PICK winners based on the tests makes it easier for consumers to identify vehicles that afford the best overall protection without sifting through multiple sets of comparative test results." A new requirement for 2007 is that the winning vehicles must offer electronic stability control, or ESC. This addition is based on Institute research indicating that ESC significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes, by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency maneuvers. It is notable that the Volvo XC90's Roll Stability Control (RSC) was an industry first.
 
"Integrated safety technology has set the XC90 apart since its introduction, and it's part of Volvo DNA to focus of real-world safety," says Anne Bélec, president & CEO, Volvo Cars of North America. "An award like this validates Volvo's commitment, and explains why customers have made the XC90 the best-selling European SUV in the United States."

The IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor based on performance in high-speed front and side crash tests plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. The first requirement for a vehicle to become a TOP SAFETY PICK is to earn good ratings in all three Institute tests. The Volvo XC90 achieved "Good" in each of the three crash tests.