New Models / 28 July 2025 / Michael Taylor

4 new luxury cars coming to South Africa

Volvo has announced that it will launch four new cars in South Africa within the next few months.

The premium automaker previously confirmed that the EX30 Cross Country – a rugged take on its best-selling car – would make its way to our shores.

However, Volvo has since revealed that it will bring another three models to our market, namely the updated XC60 and XC90 SUVs, and the all-new ES90 sedan.

The four new cars are part of a product offensive dreamt up by the brand’s new Managing Director, Grant Locke, to reaffirm Volvo’s commitment to the South African market.

“Our focus is clear: we are committed to offering South African motorists more choice as they make the transition to electric driving,” said Locke.

“These new vehicles, paired with our ongoing investment in our local operations and services, underline the fact that we are here to stay and grow.”

Electric off-roader

First up will be the EX30 Cross Country, which is an outdoor-focused version of the all-electric EX30 crossover.

The EX30 is Volvo’s most successful product by a wide margin, and is currently the top-selling electric vehicle in South Africa, so it comes as little surprise to learn that the new Cross Country is heading our way.

The company said that it will arrive in the third quarter of 2025, so expect to see it in showrooms before the end of September.

The off-road focus can be seen in the Cross Country’s modifications, as it has a front shield, flared wheel arches, and more prominent skid plates.

It also has a slightly higher ground clearance of 195mm – 17mm more than the standard units.

The alloy wheels measure 19 inches in size, though these can be swapped with smaller 18-inch rims in order to accommodate a set of chunkier all-terrain tyres.

Befitting its concept, the Cross Country is only available with an all-wheel-drive setup, meaning it has an electric motor placed over each axle.

The Twin Motor drivetrain has a combined output of 315kW and 543Nm, with power being supplied by a 69kWh battery.

This gives the crossover a range of approximately 427km, and owners can top up the cells from 10 to 80% in less than 30 minutes when using a DC fast charger.

Hybrid SUVs

Next up are the facelifted XC60 and XC90 SUVs, which Volvo said will arrive in spring 2025.

Both vehicles will showcase the Swedish carmaker’s new design language with an updated exterior, including a new grille, wheels, and front and rear fascia.

Similar attention has been given to the interior, as the XC pair will gain access to a new 11.2-inch free-standing infotainment screen running on the brand’s latest operating software with a new user interface.

They also have a digital driver display, an uncluttered minimalist interior with two-tone leather upholstery, and an updated centre console with a wireless charging pad and a clear gearstick.

Volvo stated that the XC60 and XC90 cars will be made available with both mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, but did not provide any further details.

However, since these are facelifted models rather a completely new generation, it’s reasonable to assume they’ll retain their current powertrains.

The base units will presumably be fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged mild hybrid petrol engine good for 183kW and 350Nm.

The flagship PHEVs, meanwhile, should feature a 2.0-litre supercharged petrol engine paired with an electric motor, resulting in an impressive 340kW and 709Nm.

It also comes with an 18.8kWh battery, giving the SUV an electric driving range between 56km and 77km.

All-electric sedan

Last up is the new ES90, a sedan that breaks away from Volvo’s recent focus on crossovers and SUVs.

It will arrive in early 2026, with its pricing and model selection to be revealed closer to launch.

Don’t expect it to be cheap, however, as the ES90 is one of the carmaker’s most luxurious products, boasting the same advanced LiDAR technology seen on the recently introduced EX90.

In other markets, the sedan is available with multiple powertrains, starting with a Single Motor option that produces 245kW and 480Nm.

There’s also a Twin Motor version with 330kW and 670N, and a range-topping Twin Motor Performance unit with a staggering 500kW and 870Nm.

Assuming you buy the most powerful option, the ES90 can rocket from 0 to 100km/h in under 4.0 seconds.

Batteries come in two sizes – 92kWh and 106kWh – the latter of which offers a range of up to 700km.

In terms of design, the sedan is fairly similar to its SUV siblings, showcasing a modern interior with a digital driver display and a large portrait infotainment screen.

The full list of features will be revealed at a later date, though Volvo noted that a panoramic sunroof, a Bowers & Wilkens stereo, and a climate control system with advanced air purification will be a few of the highlights.