Volvo drops all estate & saloon models and now only sell SUVs

[Darrell]

Saw a big Volvo estate Police Car at Hangar Lane earlier. It’s a shame that we won’t be seeing them anymore.

My BIL’s father died earlier on in the year and left him a lovely very low mileage XC70 SE. I really fancied it but because of ULEZ it wasn’t going to happen but he’s just sold it for a very tidy sum.

People do still like them and I reckon used prices for the best examples are going to remain very strong.

 

[st13phil]

My guess is that there's a synergistic relationship between the packaging of large batteries that require a thicker "floor" to a vehicle and the fashion for taller passenger vehicles for family transport that has encouraged Volvo to make the shift away from Saloon and Estate formats.

It's clear that some people love the higher / taller SUV format, but whenever I've driven one it feels like I'm on slightly wobbly stilts. My gut feel is that those who "enjoy" driving SUV's don't actually enjoy driving

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

You’d be shocked at how well some decent ones drive. My brother had an 58 plate X3 30d with XDrive, m-sport and all the bells and whistles

Awesome handling, amazing performance and comfort, etc etc

Not too many downsides - still drove like a BMW

Not many people buy Volvos for the way they drive anyway… they’re for people who want safety and luxury but don’t want to be seen in a BMW or Mercedes

As an aside, I’d love an old V50 or V70 as a runaround/gear hauler, though the tax is a little high on them

 

[Skd884]

You’ll still be seeing Volvo estates and saloons as police cars in the UK

Volvo has gone SUV-only in the UK, but the move doesn't apply to the emergency services

www.topgear.com

 

[grober]

This only applies to the UK market-presumably saloons and estates remain available in other markets? maybe its a LHD/RHD thing?

 

[baxlin]

I’m in the “SUV - no thanks” camp, saloons with a proper sized boot are my choice. Apart from the perceived ‘safer’ aspect, I just don’t see the point of SUVs at all - I’m in my mid 70s and I don’t subscribe to the easy access claims for SUVs - I find it much easier to get in and out of my car than either of the SUVs members of my family have - and if they haven’t cleaned the door shuts, it’s easy to dirty your clothes getting out!

 

[Darrell]

Not many people buy Volvos for the way they drive anyway… they’re for people who want safety and luxury but don’t want to be seen in a BMW or Mercedes

We had one of these a couple of years ago. It was slightly lowered and debadged. To top it off, it was in beige and it certainly caught a few people out.

Google Image Result for https://api-live.marqued.com/asset/images/35826edc-d656-41f9-acd4-185f6aca7196/a75ae29fec9759b9cf0380a1e95625c1/name_35826edc-d656-41f9-acd4-185f6aca7196?q=80&w=640

 

[markjay]

Google has the answer:

I guess the trend has become even stronger since 2019.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

You’d be shocked at how well some decent ones drive. My brother had an 58 plate X3 30d with XDrive, m-sport and all the bells and whistles

Awesome handling, amazing performance and comfort, etc etc

Not too many downsides - still drove like a BMW

Not many people buy Volvos for the way they drive anyway… they’re for people who want safety and luxury but don’t want to be seen in a BMW or Mercedes

As an aside, I’d love an old V50 or V70 as a runaround/gear hauler, though the tax is a little high on them

Sorry a 68 plate. A 58 plate probably still drives like a bit of a bus!

And it should say how well 'recent' ones drive.

It was before I'd have coffee etc etc

 

[BTB 500]

On the subject of SUV sizes I mentioned in another thread that I saw an Audi Q7 and a 70s/80s era Rolls Royce parked in adjacent bays at the garden centre this week. I wasn't able to get a picture as the Q7 was just leaving, but the Roller looked tiny next to it!

 

[markjay]

Not so sure. Young families love them.

You might suggest that the Young are chubby and unable to bend, but I couldn’t possibly comment.

A young family with two small kids will have the rear seat taken by two bulky child seats, and that's fine.

But then for a short break or even a dsy out they'll need space in the boot for two prams/pushchairs, plus luggage, and the baby/toddler paraphernalia (which these days is quite extensive).

The 'system' child seats (where you replace the base) are expensive, not that great in general, and save only little space in the boot.

For this particular demographic, SUV rules. In fact, that's exactly why Porsche invented the Cayenne - dad can have the '911' he always wanted (albeit in his head only) and mum can have the SUV she needs.

 

[BTB 500]

A young family with two small kids will have the rear seat taken by two bulky child seats, and that's fine.

But then for a short break or even a dsy out they'll need space in the boot for two prams/pushchairs, plus luggage, and the baby/toddler paraphernalia (which these days is quite extensive).

The 'system' child seats (where you replace the base) are expensive, not that great in general, and save only little space in the boot.

For this particular demographic, SUV rules. In fact, that's exactly why Porsche invented the Cayenne - dad can have the '911' he always wanted (albeit in his head only) and mum can have the SUV she needs.

Boot space is compromised in SUVs ... big wheels and long suspension travel generally give more arch intrusion than in an estate or MPV. The boot also tends to be shorter because a small rear overhang is part of the styling (to improve the departure angle when off-roading). The loading height is also significantly greater, again due to the wheels & suspension. On the plus side the boot space is taller so the actual volume isn't too bad, but it's generally less usable - there's a reason why antique dealers typically drove Volvo estates! I assume current SUVs follow the trend of having no spare now. Housing a huge wheel & tyre in the boot was another space hog in the past, which is why they were often mounted externally.

Obviously the boot in SUVs is 'big enough' for most people or they wouldn't drive them. But the space relative to the overall size of the car isn't great.

 

[markjay]

Boot space is compromised in SUVs ... big wheels and long suspension travel generally give more arch intrusion than in an estate or MPV. The boot also tends to be shorter because a small rear overhang is part of the styling (to improve the departure angle when off-roading). The loading height is also significantly greater, again due to the wheels & suspension. On the plus side the boot space is taller so the actual volume isn't too bad, but it's generally less usable - there's a reason why antique dealers typically drove Volvo estates! I assume current SUVs follow the trend of having no spare now. Housing a huge wheel & tyre in the boot was another space hog in the past, which is why they were often mounted externally.

Obviously the boot in SUVs is 'big enough' for most people or they wouldn't drive them. But the space relative to the overall size of the car isn't great.

In an SUV you can stack up stack at the back vertically (as long as it's not at risk of flying into the cabin).

 

[Spider10]

My brother had mine for his SPA F1 trip he's now in Switzerland

 

[E55BOF]

I think I saw something to the effect that Volvo won't be selling anything with a maximum speed above 112 mph too. Another reason not to buy one...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think I saw something to the effect that Volvo won't be selling anything with a maximum speed above 112 mph too. Another reason not to buy one...

I can’t imagine it would pose too much of a problem would it? That’s well above the speed on 99.999% of the roads in Europe.

 

[Will]

It’s horses for courses at the end of the day.

I think the E-class estate is a great family car if you only need five seats. If you need six or more it has to be something else - for me I moved onto the GL-class four or so years back.

I don’t think I’d go back. Sure the E-class drives better as you’d expect but the space and practicality of the GL is immense.

If you’re not in the market for something like an SUV then you’d probably not get the appeal. Same as someone with a family or a dog or whatever wouldn’t want an SLK or SL etc. Second guessing someone’s reasoning for their choice of car is a bit silly really unless you know them well!

Manufacturers clearly know their market and wouldn’t make changes to their offerings if it wasn’t in their best interests. They don’t usually get this sort of stuff wrong

 

[E55BOF]

I can’t imagine it would pose too much of a problem would it? That’s well above the speed on 99.999% of the roads in Europe.

Once in a while, though... I'd rather have the capability and not use it, than not have it.

 

[Darrell]

I think I saw something to the effect that Volvo won't be selling anything with a maximum speed above 112 mph too. Another reason not to buy one...

 

[Darrell]

Manufacturers clearly know their market and wouldn’t make changes to their offerings if it wasn’t in their best interests. They don’t usually get this sort of stuff wrong

Mercedes R Class.