I'd expect a minivan to do better in a crash than a car, even a Volvo. It's a truck. Some years ago that famous European crash test between the Volvo 740 and the VW Microbus was performed. The dummies in the VW "survived", but the dummies in the Volvo "died". The now well-known dissimilar vehicle height phenomenon. It's true that barrier tests don't take into account the psychodynamics of the buyers, but OTOH, you're considering buying an S60, aren't you, and not a Harley? Barrier testing also fails to take into account the car's ability to avoid an accident, the brakes, handling, skid control, etc.

I think a Volvo is "reasonably" safe, but if I were given a choice of crashing in one or in a Suburban, I'd choose the Suburban. Physics 101.

I also recall that the 1979 240 behaved "screwy" in the first crash test.

-Punxsutawney Phil