The 2019 Volvo Xc40 marked the debut of this compact SUV, bringing Volvo’s renowned safety standards to a smaller vehicle class. For prospective buyers in the English-speaking market, understanding its safety ratings is crucial. This article delves into the 2019 Volvo XC40’s safety performance based on evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a comprehensive overview of its crashworthiness and safety features.
The IIHS conducted a series of rigorous crash tests on the 2019 Volvo XC40, assessing its performance in various accident scenarios. These tests include small overlap front crashes (driver-side and passenger-side), a moderate overlap front crash, side impacts (original and updated tests), roof strength evaluation, and head restraint and seat safety assessments. Additionally, the XC40’s headlight performance and front crash prevention systems were also evaluated. Let’s break down the results from each test to understand the 2019 Volvo XC40’s safety strengths and areas for potential improvement.
Small Overlap Front: Driver-Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts an object, like a tree or pole. The 2019 Volvo XC40 performed exceptionally well in the driver-side small overlap test, earning a “Good” rating, the highest possible.
Key findings from the driver-side small overlap test include:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Graded as “Good”, indicating the XC40’s structure effectively maintained its integrity during the crash, protecting the occupant space.
- Driver Injury Measures: All injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were rated “Good”, signifying a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in this type of crash.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Also rated “Good”, demonstrating the effectiveness of the seatbelts and airbags in controlling the driver dummy’s movement and minimizing injury risk.
Action shot of the 2019 Volvo XC40 driver-side small overlap crash test, showcasing vehicle deformation.
The technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test further highlight the XC40’s robust performance. Intrusion into the occupant compartment was minimal, with maximum intrusion at the lower hinge pillar at just 4 cm. Driver injury measurements were also low, with a Head Injury Criterion (HIC) of 100 and minimal neck tension and bending moment.
Post-crash driver-side view of the 2019 Volvo XC40, illustrating excellent survival space maintenance and airbag deployment.
Airbag deployment in the 2019 Volvo XC40 small overlap test, demonstrating effective head protection from frontal and side airbags.
Driver leg and foot space integrity in the 2019 Volvo XC40 after small overlap crash, indicating low risk of lower extremity injuries.
Small Overlap Front: Passenger-Side Evaluation
The passenger-side small overlap test is equally important for overall vehicle safety. Like the driver-side test, the 2019 Volvo XC40 achieved a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap test.
Key highlights from the passenger-side evaluation include:
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”, mirroring the driver-side performance and indicating consistent protection across the front seating positions.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Maintained a “Good” rating, ensuring structural integrity on the passenger side as well.
- Passenger Injury Measures: Head/neck and lower leg/foot injury risks were rated “Good”. However, the hip/thigh injury measure received an “Acceptable” rating, suggesting a slightly higher, though still relatively low, risk of injury in this area for the passenger compared to other body regions.
- Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated “Good”, indicating effective passenger-side occupant protection systems.
- Driver Injury Measures: Interestingly, driver injury measures are also assessed in the passenger-side test, and all were rated “Good”, confirming the vehicle’s overall robust frontal crash protection.
Technical measurements reveal more intrusion on the passenger side compared to the driver side in the small overlap test. For instance, lower hinge pillar intrusion measured 16 cm on the passenger side versus 4 cm on the driver side. Passenger femur forces were also higher than driver femur forces. Despite these differences, the “Good” overall rating signifies that the increased intrusion and injury measures were still within acceptable safety limits.
Moderate Overlap Front: Original Test
The moderate overlap front test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front impacting a barrier. The 2019 Volvo XC40 again secured a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test.
Key takeaways from the moderate overlap front test:
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”, reflecting excellent performance in this common type of frontal collision.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated “Good”, maintaining occupant compartment integrity.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures for head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (left and right) were rated “Good”, indicating a low risk of serious injuries in a moderate overlap frontal crash.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated “Good”, confirming effective restraint systems.
Moderate overlap frontal crash test of the 2019 Volvo XC40, demonstrating controlled deformation and occupant protection.
Technical data from both the IIHS and Volvo-conducted moderate overlap tests show minimal intrusion into the driver’s space. Head injury criteria were moderate, and leg and foot injury measures remained low across both tests.
Driver survival space in the 2019 Volvo XC40 moderate overlap test, showing good maintenance of space and minimal intrusion.
Side curtain airbag contact on the dummy’s head during the 2019 Volvo XC40 moderate overlap test, highlighting effective head protection.
Minimal driver space intrusion and low lower extremity injury measures in the 2019 Volvo XC40 moderate overlap test, indicating robust occupant safety.
Side Impact: Original and Updated Tests
Side impact crashes are a significant safety concern, and the IIHS conducts both original and updated side impact tests. In the original side impact test, the 2019 Volvo XC40 achieved a “Good” rating.
Key findings from the original side impact test:
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”, demonstrating strong side crash protection.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated “Good”, indicating effective structural resistance to side impact forces.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures for head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg were rated “Good”, suggesting low risk of serious injuries to the driver in a side impact scenario.
- Driver Head Protection: Rated “Good”, indicating effective head protection from side airbags.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures and Head Protection: Similarly, rear passenger injury measures and head protection were all rated “Good”, showcasing comprehensive side impact safety for all occupants.
However, in the updated side impact test, which uses a heavier barrier and higher impact speed to better reflect real-world side crashes, the 2019 Volvo XC40’s rating decreased to “Acceptable”.
Performance in the updated side impact test:
- Overall Evaluation: “Acceptable”, a step down from the “Good” rating in the original test.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated “Marginal”, indicating some structural weaknesses in the more severe updated test.
- Driver Injury Measures: Head/neck and driver head protection remained “Good”, but torso and pelvis injury measures were downgraded to “Acceptable” and “Marginal” respectively, indicating a higher risk of injuries in these areas in a more severe side impact.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures and Head Protection: Rear passenger head/neck, head protection, and pelvis injury measures remained “Good”, but torso injury measures were rated “Acceptable”.
Post-crash view of the 2019 Volvo XC40 after the updated side impact test, showing vehicle damage.
Side airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage in the 2019 Volvo XC40 updated side impact test.
Driver head protection by side airbags in the 2019 Volvo XC40 updated side impact test, indicated by greasepaint.
Rear passenger head protection by side airbags in the 2019 Volvo XC40 updated side impact test, also indicated by greasepaint.
The updated side impact test results suggest that while the 2019 Volvo XC40 offers good side impact protection overall, there’s room for improvement, particularly in structural rigidity and driver torso and pelvis protection in more severe side collisions.
Roof Strength
Roof strength is crucial in rollover accidents. The 2019 Volvo XC40 earned a “Good” rating for roof strength.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”, indicating a strong roof capable of withstanding significant forces in a rollover.
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: The XC40 exhibited a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.23, significantly exceeding the IIHS requirement for a “Good” rating, demonstrating a robust roof structure relative to its weight.
This “Good” rating provides reassurance regarding occupant protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection is assessed through head restraint and seat evaluations. The 2019 Volvo XC40 with power leather seats received a “Good” rating in this category.
- Overall Evaluation: “Good”, indicating effective whiplash protection in rear-end collisions.
- Dynamic Rating and Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: Both rated “Good”, confirming both the dynamic performance of the head restraints in simulated rear impacts and the seat/head restraint geometry are designed to minimize whiplash risk.
These “Good” ratings suggest that the 2019 Volvo XC40 provides good protection against neck injuries in rear-end crashes.
Headlights
Headlight performance is a critical aspect of nighttime driving safety. The 2019 Volvo XC40 offers two different headlight variations.
The “Advanced Package” equipped headlights (LED reflector, curve-adaptive, high-beam assist) earned a “Good” overall rating.
- Overall Rating: “Good”, for models equipped with the Advanced Package.
- Low Beams and High Beams: Provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist compensating for some low-beam limitations.
- Glare: Low beams created some glare, but not excessive.
However, the standard headlights (LED reflector, high-beam assist, but non-curve-adaptive) received a “Poor” overall rating.
- Overall Rating: “Poor”, for standard headlight versions.
- Low Beams: Created excessive glare, significantly impacting the overall rating.
- High Beams: Provided good to fair visibility but couldn’t overcome the poor low beam performance.
These headlight ratings highlight the importance of opting for the Advanced Package to get the “Good” rated headlights, as the standard headlights are deemed “Poor” due to excessive glare.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important for mitigating or avoiding frontal collisions. The 2019 Volvo XC40’s standard “Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake” system earned a “Superior” rating in both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian front crash prevention tests.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention:
- Overall Evaluation: “Superior”.
- Forward Collision Warning: System meets requirements.
- Crash Avoidance: Avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests.
Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Daytime):
- Overall Evaluation: “Superior”.
- Crossing Child and Adult: Avoided collisions in 12 mph tests and avoided or significantly reduced impact speed in 25 mph tests.
- Parallel Adult: Avoided collision in 25 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed in 37 mph test.
These “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention systems underscore the 2019 Volvo XC40’s advanced safety technology aimed at preventing accidents in the first place.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is crucial for parents. The 2019 Volvo XC40 received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
- Overall Evaluation: “Acceptable”.
- Number of LATCH Positions: 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware, and 1 additional position with only a tether anchor.
- Ease of Use: Lower anchors were noted as being not too deep in the seat and not requiring excessive force to attach to, but were difficult to maneuver around. Tether anchors were easy to find.
While rated “Acceptable,” the LATCH system provides a reasonable level of usability for installing child seats.
Conclusion: 2019 Volvo XC40 Safety Performance
Overall, the 2019 Volvo XC40 demonstrates strong safety performance, particularly in frontal, side (original test), roof strength, and head restraint evaluations, earning “Good” ratings in many key areas. Its front crash prevention systems are “Superior,” and headlight performance can be “Good” with the Advanced Package. The “Acceptable” rating in the updated side impact test and for the standard LATCH system, and “Poor” rating for standard headlights, indicate areas where potential buyers should be aware of, and where Volvo could potentially improve in future models.
For English-speaking car buyers prioritizing safety in a compact SUV, the 2019 Volvo XC40 is a compelling option, especially when equipped with the Advanced Package headlights. Its robust crashworthiness and advanced safety features contribute to its strong safety profile.
About the small overlap front test
About the small overlap front test
About the original moderate overlap front test
About the original side crash test
About the side crash test
About the roof strength test
About the head restraint & seat test
About the headlight evaluation
About the original front crash prevention test
About the pedestrian front crash prevention test
About the child seat anchor evaluation
