2010 Volvo XC60 Safety Review

The 2010 Volvo XC60 wins rave reviews in reports read by TheCarConnection.com for its innovative and extensive safety features. Long an industry leader when it comes to safety, Volvo has introduced yet another first on the Volvo XC60: a feature known as City Safety.

As a new vehicle, the XC60 Volvo has not yet been tested by either of the major crash-testing authorities in the United States. However, given Volvo's nearly impeccable safety pedigree and the wealth of safety features found on the 2010 Volvo XC60, it's a pretty sure bet that the scores will be on the very high end.

In terms of safety features, the 2010 Volvo XC60 comes loaded to the gills and includes one revolutionary new bit of technology that could prevent countless minor accidents. Volvo's own research has shown that the vast majority of accidents occur in urban driving environments at relatively low speeds, incidents commonly known as fender benders. In order to combat fender benders, the XC60 Volvo is equipped with a system that ConsumerGuide says "uses an infrared sensor located under the center rearview mirror" that is designed to "detect reflective objects—mostly other vehicles." Once an object is detected, Cars.com contends that the system will "automatically brake in an attempt to avoid a crash." ConsumerGuide reports that "City Safety is engaged at all times and is active at speeds up to 19 mph," and "from 1-9 mph, City Safety can stop the vehicle completely." At 10 mph and above, the system can still apply the brakes, but a collision is likely.

The safety gear on the XC60 Volvo doesn't stop with the new City Safety system—in fact, Motor Trend says that "Volvo's current safety offerings are an absolute alphabet soup of acronyms. In addition to ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), PA (Parking Assist), and LDW (Lane Departure Warning), here are few more standard and optional safety features: DAC (Driver Alert Control), DA (Distance Alert), BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), DTSC (Dynamic Traction Stability Control), RSC (Roll Stability Control), CWAB (Collision Warning with Auto Brake), WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), and TSA (Towing Stability Assist)." Cars.com notes that the standard safety features include "antilock brakes, side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain airbags to cover all door windows, and an electronic stability system." That same source also states that the available optional features include the aforementioned blind spot and lane-departure warning systems, "which are designed to monitor other cars near the XC60 [Volvo], and to alert the driver when the vehicle begins to drift into another lane, respectively."