What is the best-selling Volvo of all time? Well, it was the classic and unmistakably boxy 240 GL. But that has just been surpassed by the XC60. Volvo has just confirmed the mid-sized SUV has just ticked over 2.7 million global sales.
The 240 GL held the crown for decades with over 2.68 million cars sold between 1974 and 1993. But now the XC60 is in front. Since its launch in 2008, the XC60 has steadily cemented its place as the go-to Volvo for modern families, and sometimes getting close to the best-seller for the class in Australia.
With its blend of safety, style and versatility, it seems to appeal to a broad range of buyers, and has been one of Europe’s top-selling plug-in hybrids in recent years. The model’s international reach has expanded through dual production sites in Sweden and China, and it has been available with a range of powertrain options, including frugal diesels and powerful ones, and even an inline-six in its earlier stages.
Volvo’s updated XC60 for the 2026 model year brings fresh appeal, with a lightly redesigned exterior, improved comfort, and a new infotainment system with faster performance and more intuitive controls. The enhancements align with Volvo’s push for a more personalised and connected driving experience, with key features like built-in Google and over-the-air update capability. Susanne Hägglund, head of Volvo Cars, said:
“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. And now, with the latest updates, it gets even better.”
The XC60’s rise also reflects a broader shift in buyer preferences. Where the 240 wagon once defined Volvo’s family-car image, the SUV now holds that title. For many, the XC60 is the natural successor – offering a similarly trusted blend of safety and practicality.
The XC60 introduced Volvo’s pioneering City Safety system in 2008, a world-first in autonomous emergency braking. More recently, it debuted Oncoming Lane Mitigation, capable of intervening if the driver unintentionally veers into oncoming traffic. These technologies build on the foundation laid by the 240, which introduced early side-impact protection and the world’s first integrated booster cushion.
In Australia, there have been 724 sales of the XC60 so far this year (through May), according to VFACTS new vehicle registration figures. That figure is down 21.5 per cent on the same five-month period last year. It is the eighth best-selling model in the (now much more crowded) premium mid-size SUV segment.
