The passenger compartment of the S90 remained stable in the frontal offset test.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs for both the driver and passenger.  Volvo demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions.  In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of the driver was almost entirely good.  Chest protection for the rear passenger was marginal but that of other body regions was good or adequate.  In the side barrier impact, the S90 provided good protection for all critical body regions and scored maximum points.  Even in the more severe side pole impact, protection of the chest was adequate and that of other body areas was good.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.  Additional whiplash protection is provided by 'City Safety', Volvo's autonomous emergency braking system.  In tests of its performance at low speeds typical of city driving, the system scored maximum points, avoiding collision at all test speeds.

In the frontal offset test, protection of the 10 year dummy was good for all parts of the body, and maximum points were scored.  Chest decelerations in the 6 year dummy indicated marginal performance but protection was otherwise good or adequate.  In the side barrier test, protection of both 6 and 10 year dummies was good for all critical body areas and the S90 scored maximum points.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  All of the child restraint types for which the S90 is designed could be properly installed and accommodated.

The S90 has an 'active' bonnet.  Sensors in the bumper detect when a pedestrian has been hit and actuators raise the bonnet to provide greater clearance to rigid structures in the engine bay.  Volvo showed that the system deployed for a variety of pedestrian statures and over a broad range of speeds.  Accordingly, the system was tested with the bonnet in the raised (deployed) position.  Protection against head injury was almost entirely good.  The protection provided by the bumper to pedestrians' legs was good for all test locations and maximum points were scored.  However, protection of the pelvis was poor at nearly all test locations.  Volvo's autonomous emergency braking system detects pedestrians as well as other vehicles.  In Euro NCAP's tests, the S90 scored maximum points, avoiding collision in all test scenarios and at all test speeds.

The standard-fit 'City Safety' autonomous braking system scored full points in tests of its performance at highway speeds, with complete collision avoidance in all scenarios and at all test speeds.  The S90 is equipped with an 'intelligent speed assistance' system which informs the driver of the speed limit and allows the driver to set the limit appropriately.  The S90's lane assistance system warns the driver when the car is drifting out of lane and applies a small corrective steering to bring the car back into its lane.