MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

MODEL

Volvo Xc40 B5

NHTSA safety across every Volvo Xc40 B5 model year we cover.

Across the 3 model years of the Volvo Xc40 B5 we cover (2023 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 96 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2023 at 91. No recalls are on record across those years.

THE MOTORCALIBER REVIEW
MotorCaliber editorial Reviewed against NHTSA data 2026-07-03

The Volvo XC40 B5 is a compact luxury SUV aimed squarely at urban and suburban buyers who want premium refinement without the bulk of a larger crossover. Positioned as Volvo's entry point into the luxury SUV space, the XC40 carries the brand's longstanding reputation for prioritizing occupant protection above nearly everything else. If safety is your primary purchase criterion in this segment, this model demands serious attention.

The Volvo XC40 B5 delivers one of the strongest safety profiles we have tracked in the compact luxury SUV segment, and the federal data backs that up without reservation. The 2025 model earns a 96 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index, landing firmly in the Exceptional band. Crash-test performance is near-perfect, with five stars in both frontal and side impact testing. The rollover score of four out of five is the one area that falls short of a clean sweep, which is worth noting for shoppers who prioritize that specific metric, though a four-star rollover rating remains a solid result for any SUV in this class. Perhaps the most striking data point across the 2023 to 2025 model years is the recall count: zero. That is genuinely rare for any vehicle spanning three model years, and it speaks to the engineering discipline Volvo has applied to this platform. Owner complaints across the same window total 63, with 12 involving reported crashes and 8 involving reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, as NHTSA notes, and the volume is relatively modest for a three-year window. No fire-related or fatal complaints appear in the dataset. The bottom line is straightforward. If you are shopping a compact luxury SUV and federal safety performance is your benchmark, the XC40 B5 sits at the top of its class.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the XC40 as one of the more thoughtfully designed entries in the compact luxury SUV segment, praising its distinctive Scandinavian interior aesthetic and the sense of solidity it projects. Most professional assessments position it as a strong choice for buyers who prioritize a refined, safety-conscious ownership experience over outright performance or maximum cargo versatility.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • The 2025 XC40 B5 scores 96 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index, placing it in the Exceptional band, which is among the highest ratings we track in the compact luxury SUV segment.
  • Frontal and side crash-test ratings both reach five out of five stars, but the rollover rating comes in at four out of five, a distinction worth weighing if rollover protection is a top priority for your driving environment.
  • Zero recalls have been issued across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years, an unusually clean record for any vehicle spanning three consecutive model years.
  • Owner complaints across 2023 to 2025 total 63 and include 12 reported crashes and 8 reported injuries per NHTSA filings. These are unverified allegations, but shoppers should review the complaint database directly for the most current detail before purchasing.

Safety Index by year

BY YEARXc40 B5 by model year