Volvo Safety Features, Technology And Innovations

When we say “safe car,” you think Volvo safety. For nearly 100 years, Volvo Cars has built vehicles designed to protect their occupants from a variety of things that might occur along the way. But did you know that our track record of vehicle safety stretches further back than those square-modeled vehicles that people remember so well? Did you know that many of the safety features found in other brands today were pioneered (and then shared freely) by Volvo Cars? Check out our beautiful (and safe) new Volvo cars for sale to see how far we've come, or keep scrolling to get the scoop on how Volvo safety all began.

Milestones in Volvo Safety History

We all know that Volvo vehicles are a safe bet. But have you ever wondered how (and where) it all started? The following timeline is a brief history of key Volvo safety milestones:

  • 1927: Volvo Safety Is Born - Volvo Cars was founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, where the primary factory is still located. The brand concept was to build vehicles strong enough to endure the variety of seasons and driving environments found in Sweden.

  • 1944: The Laminated Windshield - Shatter-proof glass was a major Volvo safety innovation. Upon impact, the glass would remain intact, saving the occupants from lacerations or worse. This is a safety feature that remains in all cars to this day.

 

  • 1959: The Modern Seatbelt - The three-point seat belt that we see in every modern car also got its start in a Volvo vehicle. This Volvo safety feature was patented and truly unique. However, this feature was so beneficial that Volvo Cars made it available for other manufacturers to reproduce. This set the standard for a tradition of shared safety that exists to this day.

  • The 1960s: This decade saw the Volvo safety feature of the rear-facing child seat, an integrated child booster seat, front and rear crumple zones, safety door locks, and inertia triggered safety belts. This was an important milestone because the brand began to take on prominence in the family vehicle segment.

  • The 1990s: Protection 360 - The '90s was a decade in which occupant safety was scrutinized beyond frontal collisions. During this time, Volvo Cars introduced Side Impact Protection, side airbags, head airbags, and whiplash mitigation seating. These are all Volvo safety features that have since been used by other car manufacturers.

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  • 2000+: Over the last 20 years, we have seen plenty of Volvo safety awards from private firms as well as the larger entities like the IIHS and NHTSA. ADAS driver safety features, roll protection, occupancy sensors, and more have helped make all Volvo vehicles achieve top marks in safety.

  • 2019: Safety for All - Similar to the late '50s when Volvo Cars made essential safety features available to other brands, the Equal Vehicles for All initiative makes nearly 50 years of crash-test data available for anyone who wants to see it. The hope is that other brands can benefit from pioneering safety practices.

    • So, how do you take advantage of all this Volvo safety technology? If you're new to the brand, why not explore our certified pre-owned Volvo inventory? Stylish, safe, and packed with industry-leading innovation, all Certified by Volvo vehicles come with a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty (expandable to 10 years), $0 deductible repairs, a one-year trial of connected services, full transferability, and so much more.

    Beyond a 5-Star Volvo Safety Rating

    As Volvo Cars looks toward the future, the final frontier for Volvo safety might seem like an unconventional one. For nearly a century, Volvo Cars has looked to protect passengers within their vehicle's cabin environment. But now, Volvo Cars looks to safeguard the actual environment.

    With the goal of being completely carbon neutral in the very near future, Volvo Cars has set an immediate objective to have 50% of its sales consist of electrified vehicles by 2025. With the introduction of the all-electric Volvo XC40, fully electrified models of other types are around the corner. Beyond that, Volvo Cars offers plug-in hybrid vehicles and mild-hybrid assisted vehicles as well.

    Curious about how you can improve and enhance your current Volvo vehicle? Contact our Volvo service center and ask about the Polestar upgrade, which can improve performance on a wide range of models from the last 20 years. Volvo Cars has always been about addressing the needs of their drivers. This trend will continue as new challenges arise and the mobility needs of humanity continue to evolve.

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