The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the 2014 model-year Volvo XC90 luxury SUV a Top Safety Pick+ -- the institute’s top safety honor.

To earn the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must pass a series of crashworthiness evaluations, including the small overlap front test that replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle strikes another vehicle or an object.

“Small overlap collisions at high speeds are often very severe,” noted Adam Kopstein, safety and compliance manager for Volvo Cars of North America. “For decades, Volvo's research testing has addressed these crash scenarios because our commitment to safety is at the core of our values.”

In its evaluation of the XC90’s performance, IIHS noted:

• Good structural performance in the small overlap front test

• Low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of high severity

• Side torso and side curtain airbags both deployed.

“The XC90’s structural performance was good in the small overlap front test, and the driver’s space was maintained well,” said IIHS in a released statement. “While many vehicles have had to undergo significant structural changes to earn good ratings in the small overlap test, the XC90 has had the same basic platform since 2003.”

An all-new XC90 will debut at the end of 2014 and go on sale in early 2015. It will feature Volvo’s next-generation safety and driver-support technologies, including Pedestrian Detection in Darkness and Road Edge and Barrier Detection with Steer Assist.

The XC90 is the third Volvo model to earn the Top Safety Pick+ award since the IIHS began testing for small overlap protection in 2012. The 2013 Volvo S60 luxury sedan and 2013 XC60 crossover each earned the honor during earlier tests.