When you think of the most iconic Volvo models of all time, you probably think of the hallowed saloons and estates of the 240 series.
But no… the model that’s been bought the most in the Swedish brand’s history is now officially the XC60 SUV.
Only released in 2008, the family favourite mid-sized SUV has sold a staggering 2.7 million units, surpassing the iconic 240 as Volvo record volume model.
The X60 is the Swedish brand’s debut crossover – so it effectively started the cull of its ultra-practical estates. But many would say the XC60 is doing for modern motorists what the 240 did for those in the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s, because it’s delivering load-lugging capabilities and world-leading safety – just this time in a stylish package.
Susanne Hägglund, head of global offer at Volvo Cars says: ‘Growing up in Sweden in the 1980s, the Volvo 240 was the iconic family car – you could spot one in almost every driveway.
‘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.’
Volvo’s all time greatest seller is the XC60 mid-sized SUV that debuted in 2008 and has gone on to sell 2.7 million units, outdoing the iconic 240 in the process
The rise of the XC60 – how it became the car every affluent neighbourhood is full of them
In 2008, like the rest of the car industry and the global economy, Volvo was suffering.
As a result of economic turmoil and the global financial crisis, Volvo Cars global sales fell by 18.3 per cent.
And yet Volvo introduced the all-new XC60 crossover to the world, stepping into what was then – and arguably still is today – the fastest-growing automotive segment: compact SUVs.
The baby brother to the XC90 4×4, it was penned by the new-to-Volvo British design director Steve Mattin. Famous for creating the SLK roadster while at Mercedes, he set out to bring strong, angular and sophisticated Volvo characteristics to the small SUV market.
But Volvo sold the XC60 on more than just stylish looks. It has an impeccable safety record to appeal to family buyers looking for an SUV to cocoon their valuable cargo.
It was launched with City Safety – the world’s first standard low-speed automatic emergency braking system for speeds of up to 17mph (30kph) – which has gone on to be a standard safety feature in cars around the world.
The XC60 launched in 2008 and was the baby brother to the 2002 XC90 4×4. It was designed by the new-to-Volvo British design director Steve Mattin and it aimed to dominate the fast-growing small premium SUV market
In 2017, the XC60 signalled the dawn of lane keep assist – at the time, called Oncoming Lane Mitigation.
The combination of sleekness, functionality, all-wheel drive and all-weather dependability – and a five-star safety rating – meant that just a decade after it launched, the XC60 accounted for around 30 per cent of Volvo’s sales worldwide.
And after five generations and a varied mix of powertrains, the XC60 has now surpassed the 240 estate as the most popular choice with the Volvo badge.
Volvo has officially now sold 2.7 million XC60 examples globally. Last year, it sold 12,810 of them to Britons alone.
Initially built exclusively in Europe, the XC60 later became the first global Volvo model to also be produced in China, and the current generation XC60 introduced plug-in hybrid drivetrains to Volvo customers.
The 2017 XC60 (left) brought in Oncoming Lane Mitigation (now known as lane keep assist) in another safety world-first. The refreshed 2026 Volvo XC60 (right) went on sale earlier this year and is priced from £49,240, as Volvo aims to maintain the appeal of its best-selling model
The Volvo 240 – a legacy of its own
Before being overtaken on the sales charts by the XC60, the 240 claimed the crown with 2,685,171 cars built between 1974 and 1993.
The 244 and 245 went on sale in the UK in 1975 and were sold until 1992 and 1993 respectively.
For years the 240 estate was the choice for families all over the world who loved its safety qualities and fine driving characteristics.
It was sensible, practical, well thought out and for many people it was what an estate car should be.
Over 240,000 240s were sold in the UK in total, with 112,921 244s sold and 127,786 245s sold.
The 240 was, until this year, the best-selling Volvo model of all time. 2,685,171 cars were built between 1974 and 1993
For years the 240 estate was the choice for families all over the world who loved its safety qualities and fine driving characteristics
The 240 was the original benchmark family car for safety with it featuring an advanced body design with front and rear crumple zones, and a reinforced passenger compartment
The XC60 might set the benchmark now for safety, but the 240 was doing just that all the way back in 1974 when it featured an advanced body design with front and rear crumple zones, and a reinforced passenger compartment.
It was also among the first cars to incorporate enhanced side-impact protection and later become Volvo’s patented Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS).
And it had world-firsts before the XC60 ever did: 1978 marked the first Child Booster Cushion.
It’s worth noting that in 1983 all 240s stopped having a rear badge individual to the model – 242,244 or 245. Instead, they just had a 240 emblem, despite most people continuing to refer to their cars as a 244 or 245.
Volvo social media teased a photo of part of the back end and rear lights of the new electric EX60 model that will arrive in January 2026
The XC60’s success teases the new electric XC60 model
There’s nothing like using a big fat sales milestone as a launchpad for a new model, and Volvo’s joined up the XC60 news with a teaser of its electric ‘replacement’.
It really is just a teaser because all we can see is a single photo of the badge and rear lights – similar to the light signature of the EX90 and EX30.
But the new EX60 will make its world debut in January 2026, at which point we will know what the rival to the Audi Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan Electric and forthcoming new-gen BMW iX3 brings.
The XC60 was set to be phased out and replaced with the EX60. However, considering Volvo’s pushed its EV timelines back and has just updated the XC60, buyers will be glad to know they can continue adding to its record sales volumes.
