The year 2024 saw the highest number of luxury cars introduced to the Indian market. Mercedes-Benz led the pack with the most launches, while other players, including BMW, Audi, JLR, Volvo, and Lexus, also introduced their latest offerings to Indian consumers.
Volvo Car India launched the new XC90 with enhanced features and design upgrades, priced at Rs1,02,89,900, setting an innovative benchmark for luxury SUVs. “This iconic SUV has long been a cornerstone of our success, and we are thrilled to introduce the new XC90 to the Indian market,” said Jyoti Malhotra, MD, Volvo Car India. “The SUV embodies the pinnacle of Swedish luxury and design, seamlessly integrating innovation and safety – hallmarks of the Volvo brand. This vehicle delivers unparalleled comfort, spaciousness, versatility, and efficiency.”
Volvo is well known for its safety features. Over six decades ago, Volvo made an unprecedented decision to release its patent for the three-point seatbelt, allowing every car manufacturer to adopt the technology free of charge – putting people over profit. Since then, this life-saving feature has been a silent guardian on roads worldwide. In 2007, the company declared its vision that no one should be seriously injured or killed in a Volvo car. This commitment has driven the carmaker to take a bold step further, aiming for no collisions at all.
Sweden and India share a history of collaboration and mutual respect spanning more than seven decades, fostering fruitful partnerships in trade, technology, and culture. Sweden’s dedication to growth and innovation shines through in the new Volvo XC90, a masterpiece of advanced engineering and design. The brand’s success in India underscores the trust consumers have in Swedish quality. “I am confident this SUV’s unique combination of luxury, safety, and performance will strongly appeal to Indian consumers, and this new model on Indian roads will certainly place Sweden even more firmly on the Indian map,” said Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India.
A variety of features
As with every Volvo, the new XC90 has been designed to be one of the safest vehicles on the road. It features a robust safety cage and a comprehensive array of active safety technologies, ensuring the protection of occupants and other road users. Utilising radar and a front camera, the new XC90 can detect unintentional lane drifts and automatically steer the vehicle back into its lane, preventing potential collisions. It also includes run-off road mitigation and collision avoidance systems that can detect and react to other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals.
The SUV embodies the pinnacle of Swedish luxury and design, seamlessly integrating innovation and safety – hallmarks of the Volvo brand
The new XC90 delivers unparalleled driving experience, characterised by exceptional seating comfort and an upgraded standard suspension. The individual dampers now adapt mechanically to real-time road conditions. The redesigned interior reflects contemporary Scandinavian design, featuring a more horizontal dashboard with premium recycled material decorative panels and new vertical air vents. A new 11.2-inch central touchscreen with higher resolution and an updated user interface provides seamless access to a range of features, apps, and over-the-air software updates.
Speaking about the performance of the new XC90, Malhotra explains: “We are known for safety, sustainability, and Scandinavian design. For 97 years, Volvo has remained a brand that stands for more than just cars. A country as diverse as India needs a car that adapts to its dynamic landscape – be it the smooth highways, bustling city streets, or winding mountain roads – ensuring that wherever the road takes you, luxury and performance go hand in hand.”
Currently, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo, JLR, and Lexus offer luxury cars to Indian consumers. Industry insiders estimate that the luxury car market grew by 6 per cent in 2024, reaching approximately 51,200 units sold. The market expanded by 9 per cent in the first half of 2024 but slowed to 2-3 per cent in the second half due to economic uncertainty and shifting consumer sentiment. While luxury carmakers recorded decent sales figures in 2024, the outlook for 2025 appears different due to geopolitical developments. However, according to a report by mordorintelligence.com, the luxury car segment in India is experiencing a surge in demand. In particular, high-end luxury SUVs are witnessing rapid growth, offering additional space and comfort – one of the key reasons why all major luxury car manufacturers in India are launching luxury SUV models.