2018 Volvo XC60 Nails IIHS Crash Tests
CARS.COM — Volvo’s redesigned XC60 compact SUV has aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s crash tests. The 2018 XC60 earned the Top Safety Pick Plus award, IIHS’ highest designation — but only when equipped with upgraded headlights.
Related: 2018 Volvo XC60 Review: First Drive
The 2018 XC60 earned good ratings in all five of the agency’s crash tests, as it did last year, but this year, its standard front crash prevention system earned a superior score; the outgoing system earned the lower advanced rating. IIHS said that in track tests at 12 mph and 25 mph, the 2018 model automatically avoided collisions.
The model’s headlight rating went down for 2018, however. When equipped with the Advanced package, the XC60’s headlights earn an acceptable headlight rating, a step down from the 2017 model’s good-rated headlights. IIHS says it hasn’t yet had the opportunity to test headlights on a model without the Advanced Package.
To qualify for a Top Safety Pick Plus award, a vehicle must have good ratings in all five tests, an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention, and an acceptable or good headlight rating.
One competitor, the 2017 Acura RDX, also earned Top Safety Pick Plus status. Another, the 2018 Audi Q5, fell short, earning the Top Safety Pick score but failing to secure Plus status due to marginal-rated headlights. BMW’s X3 SUV was updated for 2018 and hasn’t yet been tested by IIHS, but model-year 2017 versions failed to achieve Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus designations.
