2013 Volvo S60 - Safety Review and Crash Test Ratings

Volvo has a very strong reputation for safety, and the S60 carries on that tradition--especially when you consider the impressive array of electronic assists and both active and passive safety features.

Based on crash-test scores from previous model years--and the structure carries over unchanged for 2013--the S60 has excellent occupant protection. The S60 has earned top five-star ratings in all categories from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has rated the S60 a Top Safety Pick, with top "good" ratings in all test categories.

In addition to all the expected safety features--such as front, side, and side-curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes; and stability and traction control--what sets the S60 apart is its safety technology. And there's a lot of it. Corner Traction Control directs torque across the car to enhance grip in aggressive maneuvers; a radar-based Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake can identify and brake for pedestrians or other objects in the road if the driver doesn't give the system indication they're trying to avoid it; and there's even a new Road Sign Information system for 2013.

Some of the advanced safety systems are optional. The pedestrian system, Driver Alert Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning--along with the new road-sign system and active high-beam control--are all included as part of the Technology Package. Blind Spot Information System is available as a standalone option.

Other add-ons that are likely to increase safety include front and rear camera systems, parking sensors, and active HID headlamps.