Volvo has confirmed it’ll reintroduce the V60 estate and V90 estate to the UK, backtracking on its decision to axe both models from our market in mid 2023. The brand says its change of heart is thanks to a resurgence in demand for estate cars.
Both cars will be available to order from July 2024, sporting a streamlined range of electrified petrol powertrains. The entry-point for the V60 will be Volvo’s 2.0-litre mild hybrid B4 unit, which produces 197hp and serves up a 0–62mph time of 7.3 seconds.
Above that, there’ll be a pair of plug-in hybrid powertrains, both of which are based around a 2.0-litre petrol engine that’s supercharged and turbocharged. The cheaper T6 model will serve up 350hp, while the flagship T8 model will punch out a massive 455hp. The V90, meanwhile, will only be sold with Volvo’s T6 and T8 plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Before it was pulled from UK forecourts, prices for the mild hybrid V60 started from £43,355. The V60 T6 PHEV cost £50,935, while the flagship T8 model (which was only available in Volvo’s top-spec Ultimate trim) would set you back £57,635.
The V90 was a little more expensive. Prices for the T6 started at £62,280, climbing to £70,780 for the T8. Considering Volvo won’t make any huge changes to its estates for their return to the UK, we suspect these prices will remain pretty consistent.
Why has Volvo reintroduced its estates to the UK?
Volvo told Parkers in an official statement: ‘We removed the V60 and V90 from sale in the UK last August amid falling appetite for estate cars. While this remains a long-term trend, we have seen a resurgence for our estate products in recent months and have decided to reintroduce the V60 and V90 to our UK portfolio in response to this. We will begin taking orders next month.
‘When operating in a fast-moving industry, we continually re-evaluate our product portfolio to ensure we have the right mix to serve all our customers. As part of this process, it is not uncommon for us to remove certain models or derivatives from sale and reintroduce them later.’
Volvo says the decision to reintroduce its estates was primarily motivated by an outpouring of support from its fanbase. The firm said: ‘We were thrilled by the many comments from customers and media last year, with many stories and memories of how our estate cars have been a huge part of their lives. We look forward to helping create more!’
However, we suspect Volvo feels a little threatened by its competitors. Brands such as BMW and Vauxhall have been capitalising on the electric estate market as its rivals have thrown all their resources at SUVs – and it’s delivered results. The BMW i5 Touring is a truly excellent high-end electric estate car, while the Astra Sports Tourer Electric is an attractive alternative for those on a tighter budget.
We reckon Volvo’s decision to reintroduce its petrol wagons to the UK might be part of a larger ploy to prime the market for the launch of its first electric estate (which you can read more about by following that link to our sister site, CAR magazine).
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