XC70 Returns As Plug-In Hybrid SUV With An Electric-Only Range
Reviving a brand that hasn’t been used since 2016, Volvo Cars has introduced the new XC70 as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for the Chinese market. The XC70 logo, which was once connected to the off-road variant of the Volvo V70 station wagon, now designates a complete SUV. With a 200-kilometer pure electric range, the longest of any Volvo vehicle to date, the premium automaker says the new XC70 is the brand’s first extended-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. At introduction, the 2025 Volvo XC70 will be positioned between the SUVs XC60 and XC90.
The XC70 PHEV was created especially “to meet the demand for longer-range plug-in hybrids in China,” according to Volvo. According to Volvo, the redesigned XC70 is “a premium extended-range plug-in hybrid [base]” and is supported by the new Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA), which is intended for range-extended electric vehicles (REXs).
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Due to a lower-than-expected demand for completely electric luxury vehicles, Volvo’s parent company, Geely, which has its headquarters in China, is making significant investments in extended-range hybrid vehicles. In its Volvo-powered TX cab, LEVC, one of Geely’s other brands, has been utilizing a REX powertrain.
However, the new Volvo XC70 has a more traditional plug-in hybrid arrangement than the TX, which only employs a combustion engine to recharge the battery. Furthermore, the XC70’s boot bears the “AWD” symbol, indicating that a four-wheel drive system will be available. In the upcoming months, further information regarding the powertrain will be made public.
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Visual features from past Volvo vehicles, such as the C-shaped taillights and the iconic “Thor’s Hammer” DRLs, are borrowed by the XC70. Both the nose and the bumper grille, which have an active shutter system that opens and closes on its own, are completely sealed off from the outside. The shutter maximizes cooling, cabin climate, and aerodynamics and was inspired by Volvo EVs. Matrix LED headlights, which adjust to traffic and road conditions to improve visibility and safety, flank the bumper.
According to Volvo XC70 photos, the SUV is positioned in the middle of the lineup, seeming to be marginally longer than the XC60 but shorter than the flagship XC90. The XC70’s design has a gently sloping roofline and sleek lines that run from front to back. Aerodynamic alloy wheels, a sculpted area along the doors, flush-fitting door handles, and LED taillights (which resemble the all-electric Volvo EX40) are other exterior design features.
It’s interesting to note that Volkswagen unveiled its plug-in hybrid ID.Era SUV concept for China just weeks before the 2025 Volvo XC70 was shown. Long-range hybrid technology offers “a perfect bridge to full electrification” in light of the declining demand for pure-EVs, according to Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson. “It enables us to maintain and develop a balanced product portfolio, while offering a highly attractive alternative to customers who are not yet ready for fully electric cars,” he stated. At a later date, Volvo plans to investigate introducing the XC70 in more possible markets.
