Volvo XC90: the luxury of safety

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traffic-related deaths has peaked at 1.25 million per year globally – a proof that road safety should be taken seriously. Fortunately, there’s a Swedish car that puts the lives of its owner a top priority – the Volvo XC90.

The Volvo XC90 is a beautifully designed 7-seater SUV that has interior amenities worthy of it to belong to the luxury class. However, aside from it being reinforced with the NASA-approved Boron Steel, it has a wide variety of features that protect the occupant’s lives. 

City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology

Driving distraction is inevitable, and it will just take one blink before an unwanted collision happens. However, with XC90’s City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology, this can be mitigated through the use of advanced cameras and radar technology that scans the road ahead. The system activates at 4 km/h onwards and works in a variety of ways – day and night.

With speed difference of up to 50 km/h to the vehicle or obstacle in front, the XC90 will emit audible and visible warnings if it’s approaching too fast. In case the driver didn’t react and the collision is imminent, the car will apply full auto-braking to avoid the crash. The seatbelts will also be prepared to minimize the strain on the body. This works the same if a cyclist is in front, but the speed difference should be 40 km/h or below.

Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)

No matter how careful one’s driving is, there’s still a chance that other road users will crash the car from behind. This type of accidents may cause whiplash – a long term injury to the cervical spine due to abrupt jerking of the head. The Volvo XC90 is designed to prevent this damage through the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS).

During a rear impact, WHIPS will move the entire seats to the direction of impact, while the head restraint remains rigid to support the neck. This motion is similar to how you gently catch a ball, reducing the risk of the long term injury by 50%.

Cross Traffic Alert (CTA)

When backing out of parking space in a mall or a tight area, it’s not easy to see the side especially if the car is as big as the Volvo XC90. Good thing it’s equipped with the Cross Traffic Alert (CTA). Using rear sensors and radars, it will alert the driver if there’s an oncoming traffic from the sides. A graphic warning in the head unit display will also appear for added sense of urgency.

Park Assist Pilot

The safety of the people inside the vehicle is the priority, but the car’s aesthetic is important as well. The XC90’s Park Assist Pilot helps protect the car from damages due to parking in tight spots. How? Using 12 ultrasonic sensors, the driver will just have to let go of the steering wheel and watch the car perpendicular or parallel park itself even in narrow spaces. Moreover, the car’s 360-degree camera will show a bird’s eye view of the entire area for a live view of the process.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Tires are as important as the car’s engine as it’s the main component that touches the road. However, underinflating it can cause major accidents and can also affect fuel efficiency. With this, the Volvo XC90 is equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). At the speed of 30 km/h or more, TPMS will alert the driver if any of the four tires doesn’t have the proper air pressure.

Lane Departure Warning

A driver, no matter what the reason is, can get distracted while driving. This can make the car wander off its lane unexpectedly, especially when using the expressways during long drives. The Volvo XC90 has a feature called Lane Departure Warning to prevent this to happen.

When driving over 65 km/h, cameras at the side of the car will use the markings to check if the car’s still inside the lane. Otherwise, it will warn the driver with vibrations in the steering wheel and audible alerts. Although, this feature will be silent when you use indicators before a lane change.

With all these features mentioned, it’s evident how Volvo wants its customers to experience the luxury of safety. These give the driver and passengers the peace of mind they deserve, which they can thank the Swedish marque for.

The Volvo XC90 is available at your local showrooms in diesel and gasoline variants.

For more information about the Volvo XC90, visit the AutoDeal Car Guide.