Volvo has always been known as a leader in both innovation and safety. It is one of the most well-known and respected makers in the world and is renowned for standardizing the use of the modern three-point seatbelt system in their automobiles. Beyond using it in their own vehicles, Volvo went a step further to prove their dedication to safety by offering the patent for the improved seatbelt system immediately available to all, including rivals. The company's dedication to safety, going hand-in-hand with fun, has continued to serve Volvo well in their newest ventures as well.
There are many features to be commended, but the best feature of the 2021 Volvo XC40 is the overall safety of the vehicle. Although previous iterations were rated well for safety, the 2021 model takes safety to a new level by including updated technology and features designed to enhance rider security, earning it awards and commendations for safety from multiple organizations.
Let’s take a closer look at the best feature of the 2021 Volvo XC40!
The 2021 Volvo XC40 Offers Top-Rated Safety
Volvo engineer, Nils Bohlin, created the cross-strap seat belt back in 1959 after suffering a personal loss in a traffic accident. Volvo is incredibly proud of this invention and their subsequent decision to make it available for free to any and all. Rightfully so, as they have saved countless (easily upwards of hundreds of thousands) lives in helping to make the new, improved system a standard in the industry.
From there, Volvo has continued to contribute to the advancement of safety and worked to include the latest and best safety features in their vehicles. The 2021 Volvo XC40 (along with all of Volvo's 2021 models) earned the highest available rating for its standard front crash prevention systems, Superior, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Additionally, the IIHS rated the SUV “Good” in six crash tests and for headlight illumination. Ultimately, the XC40 was given the highest commendation available from the IIHS, the “Top Safety Pick+.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an organization that tests for the most likely scenarios of crashes on American roads, gave the XC40 very good ratings as well. They rewarded Volvo’s XC40 for its overall safety with a rating of the maximum number of possible stars- five out of five in both the front and side crash tests. In the rollover test, the XC40 got four of five starts as well.
The XC40’s updated safety technology includes some pretty advanced options. The SUV has a multitude of warning systems to alert the driver to potential hazards including forward collision, oncoming collision, lane departure, and rear cross traffic warnings. All of these come standard on the base model of the XC40.
Other advanced safety features on the SUV include both automatic emergency braking to help prevent accidents and oncoming collision mitigation to help slow the vehicle in the case of unavoidable accidents. With blind spot monitoring, lane keep assistance, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, adaptive and automatic headlights (including high beams), and rain-sensing windshield wipers also included as standard, it is pretty clear that Volvo had safety in mind with every aspect of the XC40.
Optional upgrades to safety are also available in the form of adaptive cruise control, surround-view parking camera systems, automatic parking, front parking sensors, and a Pilot Assist advanced driver assistance system. The Pilot Assist helps to maintain distance between vehicles and also adds steering assistance that does not quite equate to autonomous driving, but does contribute to the overall safety of the XC40.
Other Notable Specifications
As a luxury subcompact SUV, the XC40 is well-rounded and provides a lot in addition to the incredible safety. The 2021 iteration has luxurious leather upholstery on the heated front (and optional heated rear) seats. It is available in either Nubuck textile or perforated fine Nappa leather. The high end materials continue in other areas of the interior as well- the steering wheel is a heated tailored leather as well.
The technology in the XC40 is high end as well- including an advanced infotainment system with a nine inch touch screen. The system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also includes bluetooth compatibility, multiple USB ports, satellite radio, and is connected to an eight speaker stereo system. An optional upgrade to a fourteen speaker Harman Kardon premium system is also available.
Other options to upgrade the luxury experience include wireless device charging, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, dual zone climate control, navigation system, keyless proximity entry, and a universal garage door opener. Additionally, another upgrade to the all electric model (Volvo XC40 Recharge) is available beginning in the 2021 year as well.
There are a lot of things to love about the Volvo XC40, from the luxurious interior to the newly available electric version. For the base MSRP of $34,100 for the original and $53,999 for the Recharge, though, the absolute best feature that the consumer is getting with the XC40 is the plethora of safety features emphasized by Volvo on the SUV.