Refreshed Volvo XC60 Overtakes the 240 as Volvo’s All-Time Best-Seller

Volvo has just crowned a new queen: the XC60 has officially overtaken the iconic Volvo 240 as the best-selling Volvo model in history, with over 2.7 million sold worldwide. That’s no small feat—especially considering the 240 was the family car of the 80s and 90s, immortalised in driveways, IKEA carparks, and every dad’s photo album. But times change, and so do buyers.

First launched in 2008, the XC60 brought Volvo’s famed safety and practicality into SUV territory. It’s since introduced a swag of world-first safety features like City Safety auto braking and Oncoming Lane Mitigation—think of it as your co-pilot for the school run. In 2018, it snagged World Car of the Year, and by 2023, it was Europe’s best-selling plug-in hybrid. Not bad for a sensible Swede.

Now updated for 2026, the XC60 gets a sleeker, more modern look, a faster, smarter infotainment system, improved comfort, and even more intuitive tech—all while sticking to Volvo’s electric roadmap. Plug-in hybrids now average 48% electric-only driving, giving commitment-phobes a taste of EV life without ditching the fuel bowser entirely.

“Growing up in Sweden in the 80s, the Volvo 240 was everywhere,” says Susanne Hägglund, Volvo Cars’ Head of Global Offer. “Now, the XC60 has taken its place—not just as a family favourite, but as our all-time top-seller.”

Same DNA, different vibe: both the 240 and XC60 are built around Volvo’s legendary safety cage and Scandinavian sensibility. But while the 240 was famously angular and unbothered, the XC60 is refined, tech-savvy and plug-in ready—basically, it’s the 240 if it had come out, done therapy, and now works in UX.

The Boys Say:

Nico: “It’s like if the 240 came out as non-binary and moved to Newtown. I love it.”
Travis: “I grew up in the back of a 240. Now my labradoodle rides in the XC60. It’s full-circle gay parenting.”
Alan: “Still Swedish, still safe, but finally sexy. That screen’s slicker than a drag queen’s contour.”
Luke: “No more beige-on-beige. This XC60 actually looks like it belongs in 2025.”

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review – 2025 Haval H6 GT PHEV Review – The Plug-In Hybrid That’s Better Than an EV

– Alan Zurvas

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ABOVE:Refreshed Volvo XC60 Overtakes the 240 as Volvo’s All-Time Best-Seller

2026 Volvo XC60 Refresh – What’s New?

🧠 Smarter Infotainment
Gone are the days of slow-loading menus and touchscreen tantrums. The 2026 XC60 introduces an upgraded infotainment system with a faster processor, clearer graphics, and more intuitive menu layouts. Think Google integration done properly—with voice control that understands Aussie accents and a layout that doesn’t make you scroll three layers deep to turn on the seat heaters.

📱 Enhanced UX (User Experience)
The driver’s display and central touchscreen have been refined to feel more cohesive. It’s less “volcano of widgets” and more clean, Scandi minimalism. Expect bigger tiles, less clutter, and better integration of driver-assist alerts. The whole interface is built to reduce distraction and improve usability on the go.

🛋️ Comfort, Dialled Up
Volvo’s seats were already award-winning, but for 2026, they’ve been re-contoured for better long-distance support and improved ventilation. Rear seat passengers get a touch more pampering too, thanks to minor tweaks in padding and climate controls. The cabin has a quieter ride thanks to improved soundproofing and updated suspension tuning.

🛞 Suspension Tweaks – Passive-Plus Premium Dampers
Volvo’s latest “Passive-Plus” damper system offers a more composed ride on rougher surfaces. Without switching to full air suspension, Volvo has engineered a refined balance of comfort and responsiveness, particularly noticeable in dynamic corners and when cruising over patched roads. It’s quietly competent—like your hottest gay friend with a law degree and Pilates abs.

🔌 Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Carryover
While the core T8 PHEV setup remains, Volvo has further refined the electric motor tuning and charging algorithms. This helps squeeze more electric-only range from each charge—helping the average XC60 PHEV driver achieve 48% electric-only driving. It’s also quicker to respond when switching between petrol and electric, reducing the lag that some hybrids suffer.

🛡️ Safety Gets Sharper
Volvo continues its reign as the Beyoncé of car safety with new enhancements to existing features:

City Safety now detects more object types and functions better at intersections.
Oncoming Lane Mitigation has improved steering logic.
The 360° camera now features a “see-through bonnet” mode, perfect for off-road trails or tight parking.

👀 Exterior Design – Scandi Glow-Up
Subtle but effective. The XC60 wears a refreshed face with a slightly reshaped grille, sleeker LED headlight internals, and updated rear lighting signatures. It’s more modern without screaming for attention. Colours and wheel options have been revised too, so yes—there’s a tasteful matte grey if you want to feel like a Bond villain.

♻️ Eco Details
Recycled materials are used throughout the cabin, and the plug-in hybrid now includes predictive eco-coaching that subtly encourages EV-friendly driving habits. It’s like having a Swedish yoga instructor in the dash whispering, “perhaps don’t floor it here, ja?”

The 2026 XC60 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it absolutely polishes the alloys. It’s an elegant evolution of a winning formula—perfect for drivers who want a refined, family-friendly SUV that’s as safe as it is stylish, with a plug-in drivetrain that lets you dip a toe into the EV pool without diving in headfirst.

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