GOTHENBURG: The XC60, with more than 2.7 million cars sold, has surpassed the iconic 240 as the best-selling Volvo model ever.
Since its debut in 2008, Volvo Cars’ mid-size SUV has remained a favourite among customers.
Initially built exclusively in Europe, the XC60 later became the first global Volvo model to also be produced in China.
The current generation XC60 introduced plug-in hybrid drivetrains, and it was the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Europe last year.
“Growing up in Sweden in the 1980s, the Volvo 240 was the iconic family car – you could spot one in almost every driveway,” says Volvo Cars head of global offer Susanne Hägglund.
“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.”
When the Volvo 240 was introduced in 1974, it set safety benchmarks that would remain relevant for decades.
For its time, it featured an advanced body design with front and rear crumple zones, along with a reinforced passenger compartment.
This kind of safety cage continues to protect Volvo occupants on the road today.
The 240 was also among the first cars to incorporate enhanced side-impact protection, which later evolved into Volvo's patented Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS).
Additionally, the introduction of the Child Booster Cushion in 1978 marked a world-first innovation.
The Volvo XC60 has continued to introduce numerous advanced safety technologies, such as City Safety – the world’s first standard low-speed automatic emergency braking system designed to help avoid or mitigate a collision at speeds up to 30 km/h.
Launched in 2008, this feature has since become commonplace on new cars around the world.
In another world-first, the XC60 introduced Oncoming Lane Mitigation in 2017 with a system capable of steering you back into your lane if you drift into oncoming traffic.
