Volvo has decided to stop selling saloon and estate cars in the UK, and focus only on SUVs and electric vehicles. Volvo says that this is because the demand for saloon and estate models has fallen to very low levels in the UK, while the popularity of SUVs and electric vehicles has increased.
The Volvo brand says that this decision is part of its transformation towards full electrification and new technologies. Volvo will continue to produce saloon and estate cars for other markets, but they will not be available in right-hand drive anymore.
Discontinued models by Volvo in the UK
The decision to stop selling saloon and estate Volvo models is a decision that has been met with mixed reactions as you may have expected. Volvo cars and in particular Volvo estates have been a staple on British roads for decades. Some enthusiasts and customers have expressed sadness while others see this as a positive sign that Volvo is moving with the times. Volvo is shifting towards the electric car as it aims on becoming a fully electric car brand by 2030.
Some of the saloon and estate models that have been discontinued by Volvo in the UK are:
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S60: A mid-size luxury saloon that was launched in 2000 and had three generations. The latest generation was introduced in 2018 and was based on the same platform as the XC60 SUV. The S60 was available with petrol, diesel, hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid version too.
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V60: A mid-size luxury estate that was launched in 2010 and had two generations. The latest generation was introduced in 2018 too, and was based on the same platform as the S60 saloon. The V60 was available with petrol, diesel, hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid version too. It also had a Cross Country variant that offered higher ground clearance and off-road capabilities.
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V90: A full-size luxury estate that was launched in 2016 and replaced the previous V70 model. The V90 was based on the same platform as the S90 saloon and the XC90 SUV. The V90 was available like both of the above in terms of the fuel type it offered. It also had a Cross Country variant that offered higher ground clearance and off-road capabilities.
Volvo now sells exclusively SUVs
With all saloons and estates taken off sale, Volvo has said that the S90, V60, V90, and the latter two’s Cross Country variants will continue to be made in authority specifications. However, Volvo will now sell exclusively SUVs.
In a statement sent to Autocar, Volvo said: “We continue to rapidly transform our product offer, which means not only moving towards full electrification, but also shifting to new platforms and technologies across all our cars. We will naturally need to evolve and consolidate our line-up as we prioritise fully electric cars and make this technological transition.
“As a result, we have removed further models from the UK line-up. These include the S60, V60 and V90. Demand for our existing SUV line-up continues to grow, while interest in our forthcoming fully electric EX30 and EX90 models is strong. Meanwhile, appetite for our saloon and estate models has fallen to very low levels in the UK, which has led to our decision to remove these models from sale in the UK.”
Luxury SUV to become the future
Volvo says that these models, the S60, V60 and V90 made up just 10% of all UK sales, while the demand for SUVs and electric vehicles and the electric motor has increased. Volvo will continue to produce saloon and estate cars for other markets, but they will not be available in right-hand drive anymore. The only exception is for police forces and other emergency services, who can still order saloon and estate cars from Volvo in limited numbers.
Volvo now exclusively sells SUVs in the UK, such as the XC40, XC60, and XC90, which are also available as hybrid or electric versions. Volvo also plans to launch two new electric SUVs, the EX30 and EX90, in the near future.
The Volvo EX30 is a small electric SUV that will be Volvo’s smallest and most affordable model. It is expected to go on sale in summer 2024, and it will compete with other compact EVs such as the Tesla Model Y. The EX30 will have a range of around 250 miles on a single charge, and it will offer various features such as a large touchscreen, wireless charging, and advanced safety systems. Who knows, could this become one of the safest cars in the UK? The EX30 will also have a distinctive design that is different from Volvo’s current models, with smooth surfaces, aerodynamic details, and a minimalist interior. The EX30 will be previewed at 23 retailer locations in the UK between August and December 2023, where customers can see the car in person and ask questions to Volvo specialists, says Volvo.
The Volvo EX90 is a large electric SUV that will be Volvo’s flagship model. The EX90 will replace the XC90 as Volvo’s top-of-the-range SUV, and it will offer luxury, performance, and innovation. The EX90 will have a range of up to 400 miles on a single charge, and it will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds. The EX90 will also have spacious rear seats and boot space, as well as an elegant interior, with a 15-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a premium sound system. The EX90 will also have a high level of safety and connectivity, with features such as autonomous driving, biometric recognition, cloud services, and over-the-air update, says Auto Guide.
Previous CEO, Håkan Samuelsson, suggested Volvo’s future lay predominantly in SUVs back in 2021 when he acknowledged that “people are really fond of high seating positions”. If you’re looking for the same car you have now, but a better version, maybe you have an SUV already or you’re thinking about opting for an SUV instead, the EX30 or EX90 could be a great option. Volvo has not officially confirmed yet whether these SUVs will have the whiplash protection system (WHIPS) or not. However, based on the information available, it is likely that they will have this feature, as it is one of Volvo’s signature safety systems that has been proven to offer good protection from whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Its also expected that the Volvo EX30 and EX90 will have advanced cruise control features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and pilot assist. These features will help the driver maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, stay in the lane, and follow the traffic flow.
