ANCAP crash test results

Volvo 850 | 1993 - 1997

Overall evaluation: Good

This vehicle shows that occupants can be well protected in a severe frontal crash. Protection from serious head and chest injuries was good for both the driver and passenger. There was substantial deformation of the driver's floor in the offset crash test but protection from serious leg injury was good. Head restraint design was also good.

These tests were conducted in the USA using left-hand drive vehicles. Volvo has stated that, within normal tolerances, crash test results should be the same for left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive Volvo vehicles.

Safety features

Driver and passenger air bags are standard and were fitted to the test vehicles.

The front seat belts have ingenious self-adjusting upper anchorages and the buckles are mounted on the seats. These features improve the fit of the seat belt. A lap/sash seat belt is fitted to the centre rear seat. An integrated child seat is available as an option for this seating position.

The "side impact protection system" (SIPS) now includes side impact air bags built into both front seats.

Restraints: Good

Full Frontal Crash Test

The driver's head was cushioned by the air bag and protection from serious head injury was good. The passenger's head was also cushioned by an air bag and protection from serious head injury was good. The driver's knees hit the dash. The passenger's knees hit the glove box.

The test was conducted by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Offset Crash Test

The driver's head was cushioned by the air bag and protection from serious head injury was good. Despite the footwell intrusion, protection from serious leg injury was also good. The driver's knees hit the dash and steering column.

There was no passenger in the offset crash test. The test was conducted by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Structure: Acceptable

Full Frontal Crash Test

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the full frontal crash.

All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be easily opened.

Offset Crash Test

The passenger compartment held its shape reasonably well in the offset crash. The front part of the driver's floor was pushed rearwards 29cm. The dash was pushed 8cm towards the driver. The width of the driver's doorway shortened by 7cm.

All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash moderate effort was needed to open the driver's door but the other doors could be easily opened.