Volvo XC70 Returns as a Long-Range PHEV SUV for China & Europe

The all-new Volvo XC70 breaks cover as the brand’s first long-range PHEV, bound for China and eventually Europe.

Following its initial teaser earlier this year, Volvo has finally taken the wraps off its latest creation, the all-new Volvo XC70. Unlike the previous XC70, this next-gen model has been reborn as a long-range plug-in hybrid (PHEV) crossover bound for China and eventually Europe too in the future.

Upon first glance, you’ll notice that the new XC70 looks like a slightly smaller version of the EX90 flagship EV SUV, featuring the latest design ethos for the Gothenburg-based marque. Up front, it gets the same grill-less look as the EX90, flanked by a pair of sleek Thor’s hammer LED matrix headlights, plus a lower air intake with an active shutter for better aerodynamics.

From the side, the XC70 gets a pretty streamlined SUV crossover bodystyle with rounded wheel arches and straight shoulder lines. Some EV-esque design bits can also be seen here, such as the flush door handles, frameless doors, the expansive panoramic glass roof, and wheel options ranging from 19 to 21 inches with a semi-enclosed design.

Slotted between the XC60 and XC90, the new XC70 spans 4,815 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, 1,650 mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2,895 mm.

Moving further back, this PHEV crossover gets C-shaped LED taillights, an angular rear windscreen, plastic underbody cladding, as well as a roof-mounted rear spoiler with the rear wiper hiding beneath it.

Given its China-focused development work, it comes as no surprise that the new XC70 boasts a pretty minimalist cabin setup that Volvo described as “timeless Scandinavian design.”

Centrepiece to this minimalist space is the large 15.4-inch central infotainment screen with an AI-powered voice assistant. Said screen is accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an expansive 92-inch augmented reality head-up display (HUD) for drivers to use.

Screens aside, the cabin also comes with a new two-spoke steering wheel that looks like it came straight from one peculiar Chinese EV SUV, while its floating central console houses a retractable ‘bridge’ of cup holders a la Volvo EX30, a wireless charger, and premium wood veneer trims.

Rounding off the cabin amenities list are heated front and rear seats, ambient lights, tri-zone climate control with dedicated rear vents and control panel, a Harman Kardon audio system, and many more.

Despite its relatively large facade, the XC70 gets a pretty small boot space that only spans 408 litres, although it can be expanded to 1,456 litres at the expense of the rear seats' space.

But perhaps the most important bit about the new XC70 lies in its powertrain, as it is dubbed as Volvo’s first-ever long-range PHEV. Not to be confused with range-extender EVs (EREVs) that are popular now in China, this setup essentially works like a normal PHEV that benefits from a slightly larger battery capacity to allow better efficiency.

While no detailed specs were shared for now, filings with the Chinese government indicate that it will feature a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol engine rated at 160 hp, which is then mated to an electric motor and either a 21.2-kWh or a larger 39.64-kWh battery pack.

Two powertrain variants will be available, with the front-wheel drive (FWD) model boasting a combined output of 314 hp to enable a century sprint time of eight seconds flat. The model also uses the smaller 21.2-kWh battery pack for up to 116 km of EV-only range, at least according to the WLTC standards.

As for the top-spec all-wheel drive (AWD) model, it gets a higher total system output of 456 hp, cutting its century sprint time to 5.3 seconds. Paired with the larger 39.64 kWh battery option that increases its EV-only range to 180 km (WLTC).

Combined, the new XC70 PHEV is said to boast a comprehensive travel range in excess of 1,200 km, potentially making it Volvo’s longest-ranged model to date.

Built on Volvo’s new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA), the new XC70 can support both AC and DC charging methods, with the latter able to be charged from 0-80% in just 23 minutes. It also supports bi-directional charging capabilities, enabling the SUV to act as a mobile power bank for your outdoor retreats or even in dire situations.

Although the XC70 didn’t get a LiDAR setup like its larger sibling, Volvo says it would still get an “advanced sensing technology, including radars, cameras, and sensors” that continuously monitor the vehicle’s surroundings. The automaker didn’t delve into specifics but mentioned some ADAS functions like automatic lane change assist, active navigation support, and park pilot assist all primed in the XC70.

Pre-orders for the all-new Volvo XC70 Long Range PHEV have already started in China, with prices starting from CNY 446,900 (RM264,148) onwards. Besides the Great Wall nation, the new XC70 has also been confirmed for the European market, although no specific timeline was given for now.