A copper-free high-performance environment-friendly type friction material for a saloon car and a preparation method thereof are provided. The friction material comprises the following components in parts by weight: 6-8 parts of phenolic resin, 2-4 parts of aramid fiber, 13-18 parts of an RB205 mixture, 15-20 parts of potassium titanate, 5-8 parts of calcium hydroxide, 20-25 parts of barium sulfate, 1-3 parts of artificial graphite, 3-5 parts of a cashew nut oil friction powder, 3-5 parts of antimony sulfide, 1-3 parts of a butyronityile rubber powder, 3-5 parts of mica, 4-6 parts of calcium silicate, and 1-3 parts of zirconia. The preparation method comprises the steps: a) weighing the component materials according to the formula ratio, and then dispersing into a uniform mixture; b) loading the mixture into a saloon car friction block dedicated die, carrying out hot press molding with the hot press duration time of not less than 5 minutes; and c) carrying out conventional heat treatment on the friction material after hot press molding, and after being fully cured, carrying out size and appearance machining into the product. The friction material has the advantages of excellent high-temperature characteristic, good abrasive resistance performance, good braking performance, reasonable price, recession resistance, high life, stable friction coefficient and the like.