Volvo has officially ended production of its luxury wagon, the V90, marking the end of an era for the Swedish automaker. The final V90, appropriately finished in sleek black, has rolled off the assembly line at the Torslanda plant in Sweden and will now join the Volvo Heritage Collection. Visitors can see it displayed at the World of Volvo in Gothenburg, where it sits proudly alongside its legendary predecessors.
After years of speculation and a brief false alarm earlier this year, the confirmation finally came—Volvo is saying goodbye to the V90 for good. Sadly, there are no plans for a direct replacement, as the company shifts its focus toward electric vehicles and SUVs, which have steadily gained dominance in global markets. Volvo’s CEO, Jim Rowan, confirmed that the final unit was built in September and hinted that the smaller V60 might also face discontinuation in the future. He noted that customer preferences have changed dramatically, with SUVs now offering the ride height and versatility people once associated with wagons.
While the V90 is gone, its sedan sibling, the S90, continues to live on in select markets. The aging model even received a facelift earlier this year and will keep selling in China and parts of Asia until its upcoming electric successor, the ES90, takes over. The ES90, a five-door liftback with a more practical tailgate, will become Volvo’s new flagship electric luxury car.
Interestingly, Volvo has revived the “XC70” nameplate, once used for a rugged wagon, but the modern version has taken SUV form. It’s a plug-in hybrid targeted primarily at the Chinese market, further proving Volvo’s commitment to SUV-oriented designs. To fill the void left by the V90, the company may reposition the XC60 to appeal to customers who still crave wagon-like practicality but prefer a higher driving position.
The end of the V90 leaves a gap in the premium wagon segment, but competitors like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz are keeping the tradition alive. Models such as the 5 Series Touring, A6 Avant, and E-Class Estate continue to thrive in Europe, where wagons still hold cultural and functional significance. For now, buyers who still appreciate the balance between comfort, efficiency, and cargo space that wagons offer can turn to these German alternatives.
SUVs, despite their popularity, come with trade-offs. They are heavier, often less fuel-efficient, and generally more expensive than wagons. However, many consumers remain drawn to their elevated seating and perceived safety advantages. Volvo’s decision reflects market trends rather than a failure of engineering—the V90 simply couldn’t compete with the surging demand for SUVs. As the company said, this move aligns with its “global cycle plan,” signaling that Volvo’s future will revolve around electric crossovers and SUVs rather than traditional wagons.
For wagon enthusiasts, the final black V90 symbolizes more than just the end of a model; it represents the closing chapter of Volvo’s long-standing legacy of elegant, practical estates. And while this goodbye feels bittersweet, it’s clear that Volvo is steering toward a future driven by electrification and changing lifestyles.
