Volvo XC70 becomes an SUV with up to 200 km electric range

The Volvo XC70 has moved on from being an estate with “rolled-up trousers” and is now an SUV, sized to sit between the XC60 and the larger XC90.

We had already caught a glimpse of it, but Volvo has now released official images alongside the full reveal. Its headline figure is electric range: up to 200 km on the generous CLTC cycle. That makes it the Swedish brand’s longest-range plug-in hybrid to date on electric power alone. With petrol in the tank as well, total range goes beyond 1200 km.

Two battery options for the Volvo XC70

The Volvo XC70 is built on the new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA), a platform designed specifically for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Buyers can choose between two high-capacity batteries: 21,2 kWh and 39,6 kWh - larger than the batteries fitted to some fully electric models such as the Dacia Spring or the BYD Dolphin Surf.

With the smaller pack, Volvo uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry and quotes an electric range of up to 100 km (CLTC). This battery is offered on the two-wheel-drive versions.

To reach the full 200 km in electric mode, you need the 39,6 kWh battery. This one uses NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) chemistry and is paired with the all-wheel-drive variants.

Thanks to the size of the batteries, the XC70 supports DC rapid charging. Volvo has not published charging power figures, but it says the battery can be boosted from 0% to 80% in just 23 minutes.

Like what you’ll find on some Hyundai and Kia EVs, for example, the Swedish SUV is also available with bidirectional charging. In practical terms, that means it can be used to power external equipment.

Performance is not in short supply either. Although there is a petrol engine under the bonnet with “only” 1,5 litres, turbocharging, and 160 cv, adding up to three electric motors - depending on whether it is front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive - delivers a strong combined system output.

In the front-wheel-drive version, maximum combined system power is 234 kW, which is the same as 318 cv. The all-wheel-drive model reaches 340 kW, the same as 462 cv, enabling the XC70 to complete the familiar 0-100 km/h sprint in 5,3s.

Typically Volvo design

From the outside, there is no mistaking it. The XC70 adopts styling in line with Volvo’s newest products, sitting very close to the latest EX90 in its clean, pared-back surfacing.

Up front, the focus is on the lighting signature inspired by Thor’s Hammer, though these elements are dedicated to the daytime signature. The main headlights sit lower down, towards the outer edges of the bumper.

While the exterior has been seen before, the cabin is new. Technology is one of the Swedish SUV’s key talking points, with a 12,3″ digital instrument cluster, a 15,4″ central display, and a 92″ (!) head-up display.

Is it coming to Europe?

The new XC70 is the first Volvo developed specifically for the Chinese market, which raises the question of whether it will ever reach Europe. The Swedish brand has confirmed it intends to bring it over, but nothing is fully confirmed yet.

In China, the new SUV is expected to take over from the XC60, which has been on sale for eight years and is significantly more expensive.

Pre-orders are already open in China, with the XC70 priced from 299 900 yuan (approx. 35 900 euros) for front-wheel drive and 329 900 yuan (approx. 39 500 euros) for all-wheel drive.

The XC60 starts at 523 900 yuan (approx. 68 100 euros), although it is only available there as the T8 PHEV with 455 cv. Its electric range does not exceed 90 km (CLTC).

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