Is the Volvo XC90 our safest family bet with seven seats?
We are looking for a large, family SUV, preferably a Volvo XC90, as our priorities are space and safety. It needs to take two car seats and another person in the back, with space in the boot for a pushchair and shopping. Are there any other cars that would be on a par with the safety record of an XC90?
Sue RowFeb 2014 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Sue,
Safety record? Not really. The XC90 was first crash tested back in 2003 when Euro NCAP only gave stars for overall performance and pedestrian impact. At the time, the XC got a full five-star rating (rare at the time). Since then its score has only been matched in the class by the Mercedes-Benz M-Class in 2008, the Volkswagen Touareg in 2004, the BMW X5 in 2003 and, in the past couple of years, the new Mercedes M-Class, the new Range Rover and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Out of those, only the X5 and the Santa Fe come with seven seats (optionally in the case of the X5) and neither can match the space or comfort of the Volvo.
Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser@neilmbriscoe