Iconic Volvo 240 Finally Overtaken As Brand's All-Time Best-Seller

Miami Herald

3 days ago

The Volvo 240 was one of the cars that helped cement the Swedish brand's reputation for safety and durability. Its success was such that it enjoyed a nearly two-decade production run and became Volvo's best-selling model of all time, but that record has now been broken. Unsurprisingly, it has taken a crossover to surpass the 240's achievement, and that honor goes to the XC60. With over 2.7 million units sold, the XC60 is now Volvo's most successful model ever, and it achieved the feat in less time than the 240.
Going into production in 2008, the XC60 has only been around for two generations, but that's been enough time to cement its place as Volvo's most successful model. It wasn't Volvo's first SUV - that honor goes to the larger XC90 - but the XC60's lower price point made it accessible to a wider demographic.
The second-generation XC60 arrived for the 2018 model year, and it's one of the classiest vehicles in its segment, plus a worthy alternative to the German brigade. From the base 247-horsepower model to the 455-hp plug-in hybrid variant, all XC60s have plush interiors and the Scandinavian style that has typified modern Volvos.
While they're vastly different in terms of the driving experience, body styles, and technology, both the 240 and XC60 have been pioneers for the latest safety technologies.
In 1978, Volvo introduced the Child Booster Cushion, a world-first feature at the time. Later, the 240 became one of the first cars to have enhanced side-impact protection. Fast-forward to 2008, and the XC60 introduced City Safety, the first low-speed automatic emergency braking system that can assist in avoiding collisions at up to around 18 mph. In 2017, the XC60 introduced Oncoming Lane Mitigation that will steer you back into your lane should you be distracted enough to drift into oncoming traffic.
Produced in sedan and wagon form, the 240 (and the related 260) was a massive success story for Volvo. Its boxy styling is unmistakable, but the long hood and large bumpers were not just visual choices; these features allowed Volvo to incorporate more effective crumple zones.
Production ran from 1974 to 1993, with exactly 2,685,171 models produced. The last 240 left Volvo's Gothenburg plant on May 5, 1993. At the time of its discontinuation in the United States, the 240 used a 2.3-liter four-cylinder paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
"Growing up in Sweden in the 1980s, the Volvo 240 was the iconic family car – you could spot one in almost every driveway," says Susanne Hägglund, head of Global Offer at Volvo Cars. "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."
Seeing this switching of places at the top of the list of most successful Volvos, one wonders if it's just a matter of time before the CR-V overtakes the Civic at Honda, or the Tiguan shoots past the Golf. Unless another design comes along to replace the crossover, it seems inevitable.
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