Volvo Cars has marked a major milestone as the XC60 officially becomes the brand’s all-time best-selling model, with over 2.7 million units sold globally. This achievement sees the premium mid-size SUV overtaking the iconic Volvo 240, which had long been regarded as the brand’s most beloved and recognisable vehicle.
First introduced in 2008, the XC60 quickly resonated with drivers looking for a safe, stylish, and versatile SUV. It combined Volvo’s reputation for safety with a more modern design and premium features, appealing to families and individuals alike. Originally manufactured in Europe, the XC60 later expanded its production footprint to include China, where it supported growing local demand. Its global popularity was further cemented when it won the coveted World Car of the Year award in 2018.
The current generation of the XC60 also helped accelerate Volvo’s electrification ambitions, bringing plug-in hybrid technology to a wider audience. It became Europe’s best-selling plug-in hybrid last year, making it not only a symbol of the brand’s past success but also a key part of its sustainable future.
Susanne Hägglund, head of Global Offer at Volvo Cars, highlighted the XC60’s transformation into a new-era classic. Reflecting on the Volvo 240’s iconic status in 1980s Sweden, she noted how the XC60 has now assumed that family-favourite role, becoming a mainstay in driveways around the world and cementing its legacy as Volvo’s top-seller.
As the modern family SUV, the XC60 continues to blend practicality, refined Scandinavian aesthetics, and advanced safety technologies. It embodies the core values that made the Volvo 240 such a success decades ago—reliability, comfort, and above all, safety. Where the 240 once defined the standard for estate cars, the XC60 now sets the benchmark for premium family SUVs.
Generational loyalty plays a big part in the XC60’s appeal. Many who grew up in Volvo 240s are now returning to the brand, choosing the XC60 for their own families. It’s a nostalgic yet forward-looking choice—one that continues Volvo’s legacy of building cars that shape childhood memories and deliver peace of mind on the road.
Safety has long been a defining trait of Volvo, and both the 240 and XC60 exemplify this heritage. When the 240 launched in 1974, it introduced crumple zones and a reinforced passenger safety cage, setting new benchmarks in occupant protection. Volvo’s early innovations, including the Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS) and the world’s first Child Booster Cushion in 1978, laid the groundwork for decades of automotive safety development.
In the same spirit, the XC60 has pioneered numerous safety features in the modern era. It was the first car to come with City Safety as standard—an automatic emergency braking system designed to help prevent collisions at lower speeds. It also introduced Oncoming Lane Mitigation, a system capable of gently steering the vehicle back into its lane to avoid head-on crashes. These innovations have earned the XC60 several top safety awards, reinforcing its status as one of the safest vehicles on the road today.
The XC60’s success also reflects broader shifts in consumer preferences. Where estate cars once dominated the family vehicle segment, SUVs have taken over, offering higher ride height, greater flexibility, and a commanding road presence. The XC60 has thrived in this changing landscape, adapting to customer needs while remaining true to Volvo’s safety-first philosophy.
Looking ahead, the XC60 is also playing a critical role in Volvo’s transition to electrification. Its plug-in hybrid variants offer a taste of electric mobility with the reassurance of a traditional engine, appealing to drivers who want reduced emissions without compromising range or practicality. According to Volvo’s internal data, around half the driving distance for its latest plug-in hybrid models is done using electric power alone—a sign of growing consumer confidence in electrified vehicles.
In many ways, the XC60 is more than just a sales leader—it’s a symbol of how Volvo Cars has evolved. It bridges the brand’s storied past with its ambitious electric future, all while delivering the comfort, innovation, and safety that have always defined the Volvo name.
