Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Comparing the XC90 with the Ascent on safety pits reputation against results. Volvo's flagship SUV has decades of safety heritage behind it and remains a very well-protected vehicle, earning a 2026 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. Subaru's Ascent, though, went one better, earning a Top Safety Pick+, the institute's top honor, in a year when the criteria got tougher. Both are excellent, but on the specific measure of current IIHS credentials, the mainstream Subaru edges the luxury Volvo.2026 Subaru AscentSubaruHow the two awards differBoth SUVs clear the core requirements that any 2026 award demands: good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests, plus acceptable or good headlights across the lineup. That shared foundation is why both earn recognition rather than one being left off the list.2026 Volvo XC90VolvoThe separation is in crash avoidance. To reach Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle needs a good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention test and an acceptable or good result in the institute's updated vehicle-to-vehicle evaluation, with those systems standard. The Ascent met that higher bar; the XC90's award at the standard tier indicates it cleared the crash tests and headlight requirements, but did not fully meet the tougher crash-avoidance criteria that separate the plus.Reputation versus current resultsIt is worth stressing that the XC90's Top Safety Pick is still a strong result, and Volvo's engineering reputation is well earned. The XC90 is a heavier, larger luxury SUV, and in an absolute sense, it offers excellent occupant protection. A buyer choosing it on safety grounds is not making a mistake.2026 Subaru AscentKristen BrownBut safety comparisons are settled on measured, current outcomes, and here the Ascent simply cleared a higher hurdle for 2026. Subaru has made top-tier IIHS results a habit across its lineup, and the Ascent's Top Safety Pick+ reflects that consistency. When both vehicles are demonstrably safe, the tie goes to the one holding the higher award.2026 Volvo XC90VolvoAdvertisementAdvertisementThe rest of the safety pictureBoth come loaded with standard driver-assistance technology, Volvo with its long-standing City Safety systems and Subaru with its EyeSight suite, and both are expected to perform well in federal NHTSA testing. Neither is a vehicle a family should hesitate over on safety grounds.2026 Volvo XC90VolvoThe practical difference is narrow and lives in the crash-avoidance criteria, so buyers weighing these two can factor in price, size, and luxury alongside the ratings. The Volvo brings a plusher, more premium experience; the Subaru brings the higher current safety features at a lower price.So which one is safer?On paper, the Subaru Ascent is safer. It earns a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the institute's highest award, while the Volvo XC90 earns the standard Top Safety Pick one tier down. The core crash protection is strong in both, so the Ascent's edge lies in meeting the tougher crash-avoidance requirements that define the plus. The Volvo XC90 remains a very safe luxury SUV with a deserved reputation, and buyers drawn to it should not feel they are compromising. But strictly by the 2026 IIHS ratings, the Ascent holds the higher honor, making it the pick for a shopper choosing on crash-test credentials alone.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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