The Resurgence of Estate Cars: Volvo Revives V60 and V90 Models

Estate car enthusiasts are rejoicing as Volvo announces the return of the V60 and V90 models in the UK. Despite SUVs dominating the market, there is still a demand for estate cars, prompting Volvo to reintroduce these popular models.

The Rise of Estate Cars in the UK

Estate cars have seen a resurgence in the UK, with sales increasing by 16% in the first four months of the year. This growth outpaced the overall car market, which only grew by 8.4% during the same period. The UK’s appetite for estates has grown slightly faster than the rest of Europe, where demand increased by 15%.

Top-selling estate models in the UK include the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports and the Skoda Octavia estate. Despite fears that electric vehicles would phase out estate cars, brands like MG, Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Volkswagen are introducing EV versions of their popular estate models.

Future of Estate Cars in the EV Era

Upcoming premium brands like BMW, Nio, and Audi are also set to launch electric estate models, highlighting the potential for estates in the EV era. Their lower height creates less air resistance, improving range and efficiency.

While estate cars are making a comeback, they still only account for 3.7% of the overall car market in the UK, less than half of the European average. Manufacturers continue to focus on SUVs, with Germany being the largest consumer of estates in Europe.

The Future of Estate Cars

Despite their appeal, traditional estate models like the Volvo V60 and V90 may struggle to compete with newer models like the BMW 5 Series Touring and Volkswagen Passat. The mid-size and supermini estate segments are also facing extinction, with only a few models like the Skoda Scala keeping the segment alive.

In conclusion, while estate cars offer benefits in terms of weight saving and range, SUVs continue to dominate the market. However, with Volvo’s revival of the V60 and V90 models, there is hope for a resurgence of estate cars in the UK.