Volvo has officially turned a page in its automotive history, with the XC60 overtaking the legendary Volvo 240 to become the best-selling model in the brand’s storied lineup. Having sold more than 2.7 million units globally since its launch in 2008, the mid-size SUV has cemented its place not just in sales charts, but in the hearts of families worldwide.

From the moment it debuted, the Volvo XC60 struck a winning balance between design, safety, and everyday practicality—values that have long defined the Volvo brand. Initially produced solely in Europe, its global demand led to production expansion in China, becoming the first Volvo model to be manufactured on multiple continents.

Its crowning as World Car of the Year in 2018 marked a pivotal moment, but its ongoing success is just as much about evolution as it is about accolades. The current generation XC60 is a standout in Volvo’s electrification journey, recently topping Europe’s plug-in hybrid sales charts. It offers buyers a gateway into electric mobility, with plug-in hybrid variants that deliver zero-emission city driving without eliminating the security of a combustion engine.

Volvo’s long-standing relationship with families is now embodied by the XC60. Where the Volvo 240 once dominated driveways and school runs in the 1980s, today’s XC60 is picking up the mantle.

“Growing up in Sweden in the 1980s, the Volvo 240 was the iconic family car – you could spot one in almost every driveway,” recalls Susanne Hägglund, head of Global Offer at Volvo Cars. “Today the XC60 has taken over that position… becoming our all-time top-seller.”

From its elevated seating position to its elegant Scandinavian design, the XC60 merges form and function in a way that resonates with modern families. It’s a car designed for life: school drop-offs, weekend adventures, or simply the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved ones are wrapped in industry-leading safety tech.

Volvo’s commitment to safety didn’t begin with the XC60. The Volvo 240 set a new industry benchmark in 1974 with innovations like crumple zones, reinforced passenger compartments, and early side-impact protection systems—paving the way for Volvo’s patented Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS). It even introduced the world’s first integrated child booster cushion in 1978.

The XC60 builds on that legacy. It debuted with City Safety, the first standard low-speed autonomous emergency braking system, which has since become a global norm. It also introduced Oncoming Lane Mitigation in 2017—a system that actively steers the vehicle away from potential frontal collisions.

Like the 240 in its prime, the XC60 stands today as a beacon of what safe, responsible driving should look like.

Beyond safety and design, the XC60 plays a pivotal role in Volvo’s mission to become a fully electric car company. Its plug-in hybrid models offer drivers a transitional bridge—combining clean electric driving for everyday needs with the convenience of a petrol engine for longer trips. According to Volvo’s own data, around 50% of the distance travelled by its latest plug-in hybrid models is powered purely by electricity.

The Volvo XC60 is more than a best-seller—it’s a modern reinterpretation of the brand’s DNA. It has taken the spirit of the Volvo 240 and updated it for today’s world: safer, smarter, and more sustainable. For those who grew up with a Volvo in the family, the XC60 is not just a car, but a generational continuation—a familiar sense of security now passed down to the next era of drivers.

Learn more about Volvo Car Malaysia’s range of electrified vehicles at www.volvocars.com/my or follow them on social media via Facebook and Instagram.