The mid-size SUV takes the crown as Volvo Cars’ new icon of safety, family practicality and Scandinavian sophistication
With more than 2.7 million units sold globally, the Volvo XC60 has officially overtaken the beloved Volvo 240 to become the best-selling model in the company’s storied history. First launched in 2008, the XC60 has consistently captured the hearts of customers around the world – and its legacy continues to grow stronger with a comprehensive refresh for the 2026 model year.
From its initial role as a stylish and safe European-built SUV, to becoming the first truly global Volvo model with production in both Europe and China, the XC60 has helped shape the modern identity of Volvo Cars. Its mix of contemporary design, family-friendly practicality, and class-leading safety has made it a symbol of confidence and quality.
“Growing up in Sweden in the 1980s, the Volvo 240 was the iconic family car – you could spot one in almost every driveway,” says Susanne Hägglund, head of Global Offer at Volvo Cars. “Today the XC60 has taken over that position in two ways. Not only as the family favourite, but also becoming our all-time top-seller, which in itself is the ultimate proof point of a successful car. And now, with the latest updates, it gets even better.”
Evolving the Family Favourite
Much like the Volvo 240 estate before it, the XC60 has become synonymous with everyday family life. Where the 240 once defined the estate car for generations, the XC60 has seamlessly inherited the mantle – this time in SUV form, aligning with shifting customer preferences and global trends.
Its updated 2026 model introduces a modernised exterior design, improved comfort features, and a significantly more responsive infotainment system, making daily driving even more enjoyable. The vehicle’s intuitive digital interface is paired with signature Scandinavian simplicity, further cementing its appeal as the ultimate all-rounder.
From the school run to weekend adventures, the XC60 continues to deliver on its promise of practicality and peace of mind. Many of today’s XC60 owners grew up riding in a 240 – and now, they’re choosing Volvo again to create new memories with their own families.
Shared Safety DNA
The XC60 and 240 may be separated by decades, but they share the same uncompromising approach to safety – a cornerstone of the Volvo brand. The Volvo 240, produced from 1974 to 1993, was pioneering in its day, featuring crumple zones, a reinforced passenger cage, and some of the earliest side-impact protection systems. It even introduced the world’s first integrated child booster cushion in 1978.
The XC60 builds on that safety legacy with a host of innovations. In 2008, it debuted City Safety, the world’s first standard low-speed automatic emergency braking system. In 2017, it introduced Oncoming Lane Mitigation, a Volvo-first technology that can automatically steer the vehicle back into its lane if it detects an imminent collision with oncoming traffic.
These innovations, along with structural enhancements and the latest in driver support systems, mean that the XC60 stands today as one of the safest cars on the road – just as the 240 was in its time.
Driving Towards an Electric Future
Beyond safety and comfort, the XC60 plays a critical role in Volvo Cars’ journey toward full electrification. The latest generation offers advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrains, giving drivers the flexibility of electric power with the reassurance of a combustion engine when needed.
According to Volvo’s own global data, nearly half of the distance driven by its long-range plug-in hybrid cars is powered purely by electricity – a compelling sign of real-world electrification in action. As such, the XC60 isn’t just a best-seller; it’s a bridge to a cleaner, more sustainable automotive future.
A British Success Story
In the UK, the Volvo 240 range – comprising the 244 and 245 – sold over 240,000 units between 1975 and 1993. Today, the XC60 continues that tradition, with more than 160,000 units sold in the UK since 2008. In 2024 alone, 12,810 XC60s found homes across Britain – a testament to the model’s enduring popularity.
Where once the sight of a Volvo 240 estate parked outside a suburban home was commonplace, today it’s the sleek XC60 that occupies those driveways, carrying forward Volvo’s family-first philosophy into a new era.
From Brick to Best-Seller
The Volvo 240 will always hold a special place in the brand’s legacy – an icon of safety and durability affectionately nicknamed “The Brick” by enthusiasts. But the XC60 represents the evolution of that legacy, reshaped for the modern world.
In surpassing the 240 to become Volvo Cars’ all-time best-seller, the XC60 confirms what countless families have already discovered: it’s the perfect blend of heritage and innovation – a car built not just for the road, but for life.
