Safety used to be boring. It was about beige minivans and heavy steel frames that looked like bricks. Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, "safe" just meant "not fast." But the game has changed entirely. Now, we are looking at rolling supercomputers that can see through fog and literally lift themselves up before a crash to protect your ribs.
If you’re hunting for the safest car in the world, you have to look at the Volvo EX90.
It isn't just a marketing claim. Volvo has basically bet their entire reputation as a luxury brand on this electric flagship. While companies like Tesla are focused on "Full Self-Driving" (which, let's be real, is still a work in progress), Volvo went the other direction. They decided to build a "safety halo" using Luminar LiDAR technology that doesn't care if it's pitch black or pouring rain.
What Makes a Car Actually Safe in 2026?
We used to just look at crash test dummies. If the dummy’s head didn't hit the dashboard, the car was a winner.
Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Euro NCAP have moved the goalposts. They don't just care if you survive the hit; they care if the car was smart enough to avoid it in the first place. This is where the Volvo EX90 stands apart from the pack. It earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2025 and 2026, which is basically the "Gold Medal" of the automotive world.
- LiDAR on the Roof: You’ll notice a little bump above the windshield on the EX90. That’s not a taxi light. It’s a laser sensor that can spot a pedestrian 250 meters away, even at night.
- The "Active" Bonnet: If the car detects a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist, the hood actually pops up. This creates a cushion to prevent the person from hitting the hard engine components underneath.
- Submergence Protection: This is a wild new requirement. In 2026, safety ratings now check if electric windows still work if the car ends up underwater. The EX90 passed this with flying colors.
The structure is a tank. During Euro NCAP testing, the passenger compartment remained perfectly stable in frontal offset tests. It’s a beast.
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The Rivals: Tesla Model Y and Genesis G90
It would be unfair to say Volvo is the only one doing the work. The Tesla Model Y is still a safety powerhouse, despite what you might hear in the news about Autopilot.
Tesla’s vision-based system—using only cameras—is shockingly good at emergency braking. In European testing, the Model Y scored a 98% in the "Safety Assist" category. That is nearly a perfect score. The car is also heavy, with a low center of gravity because of the battery pack, which makes it incredibly hard to flip over.
Then you have the Genesis G90.
If you prefer a sedan over an SUV, this is your fortress. It’s one of the few luxury cars that achieved "Good" ratings in every single updated IIHS category for 2026. Genesis (Hyundai's luxury arm) has been quietly crushing the safety game, offering things like "Forward Attention Warning" that uses infrared cameras to make sure you haven't fallen asleep or started texting.
Why Size Still Matters (A Bit)
Physics is a jerk. You can have all the AI in the world, but if a tiny hatchback hits a 6,000-pound SUV, the SUV is probably going to win.
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This is why cars like the Volkswagen Atlas and the BMW X5 continue to rank so high. They have massive "crumple zones." The Atlas, for example, has a post-collision braking system. Basically, after you get hit once, the car slams the brakes on for you so you don't bounce into oncoming traffic. It’s a simple idea, but it saves lives every day.
What Most People Get Wrong About Safety Ratings
You see "5 Stars" on almost every car commercial. It’s kind of a joke at this point, right?
Well, not really. The problem is that a 5-star rating from 2020 is not the same as a 5-star rating in 2026. The tests get harder every year. For instance, the new "side-impact" test uses a much heavier barrier moving at higher speeds to simulate being T-boned by a modern electric SUV.
Many cars that were "safe" three years ago are failing these new tests.
Even the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a legend of engineering, struggled to qualify for the top IIHS awards this year because of tougher moderate-overlap requirements. It’s a reminder that safety is a moving target. If you’re buying a used car, a 2022 model might be "safe," but a 2026 model is in a different league of protection.
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The Practical Side: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Look, not everyone can drop $80,000 on a Volvo EX90.
If you want the safest car in the world for a normal budget, the Mazda CX-50 or the Subaru Forester are the real MVPs. Subaru’s "EyeSight" technology uses dual cameras to create a 3D map of the road. It’s like having a second pair of eyes that never gets tired. Mazda, on the other hand, focuses on structural integrity. They reinforced the floor and B-pillars specifically to pass the 2026 side-impact protocols.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Purchase:
- Check the Build Date: Some safety awards only apply to vehicles built after a certain month (like the Genesis G80 built after June 2025). Always check the door sticker.
- Look for the "+": An IIHS "Top Safety Pick" is good. A "Top Safety Pick+" is significantly better because it requires a "Good" rating in the more brutal moderate-overlap front test.
- Don't Ignore the Headlights: A huge number of accidents happen at night. If the car you’re looking at has "Marginal" or "Poor" headlight ratings, skip it. The Tesla Cybertruck actually missed out on top awards for a while simply because its headlights weren't up to par, though newer models have fixed this.
- Verify Child Presence Detection: If you have kids, this is a lifesaver. New 2026 standards favor cars like the Kia Sorento and Volvo EX90 that can literally sense a heartbeat if a child is left in a locked car.
Safety isn't about the number of airbags anymore. It's about a car that is smart enough to keep those airbags from ever needing to deploy. The Volvo EX90 is the current king, but the gap is closing fast.
To make sure you're getting the best protection, go to the official IIHS website and type in the specific year and model of the car you're eyeing. Never rely on the dealer's brochure alone, as safety tech often changes mid-year. Prioritize vehicles with LiDAR or advanced camera-radar fusion if you do a lot of night driving, and always opt for the trim level that includes the full active safety suite rather than the "base" version.