2026 Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90 Earn Top Safety Awards
The 2026 Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90 both receive the highest safety designation from the IIHS for crash protection.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Car Types
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The 2026 Rivian R1S and the 2026 Volvo EX90 have earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This designation recognizes the vehicles for achieving high performance in critical crash tests and safety feature evaluations.
Why it matters
These ratings provide car shoppers with a standardized benchmark for vehicle crashworthiness and front crash prevention capabilities. Recognizing these top performers helps families prioritize safety when navigating the luxury electric vehicle market.
The 2026 Volvo EX90 starts at $78,090, while the 2026 Rivian R1S starts at $85,885. The R1S rating also applies to 2027 model year vehicles.
The players
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
An independent non-profit organization that conducts vehicle crash testing and research to improve consumer safety.
Rivian
An automotive manufacturer focused on electric adventure vehicles and sustainable transportation.
Volvo
A vehicle manufacturer historically recognized for its long-standing focus on passenger safety and engineering.
The details
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awards the Top Safety Pick+ designation to vehicles that earn Good ratings in small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side crash tests. The organization also evaluates headlight performance and front crash prevention technology to ensure vehicles meet stringent occupant protection standards. Both the Volvo EX90 and Rivian R1S met these criteria across their respective safety testing parameters.
Timeline
2026: IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation awarded.
2027: Applicability of IIHS rating to 2027 R1S models.
The Home Front
The safety rating system provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety remains a primary touchstone for families assessing vehicle collision protection. These designations follow a trend of manufacturers engineering higher-weight electric vehicles to meet demanding occupant safety benchmarks.
When shopping for a new vehicle, use the IIHS website to compare how different model years and trim levels perform in safety tests. Ensure you review the specific trim configurations that match the safety performance of these awarded models.
The takeaway
These safety ratings offer peace of mind when comparing the structural performance of new electric SUVs for your family. Keep these designations in mind as a reference point when reviewing crash safety documentation during your next vehicle purchase.
Further reading
For more information on current safety benchmarks, visit Car Types.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jalopnik.
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