The Volvo XC70 has returned as a long-range plug-in hybrid, boasting sleek Scandinavian design and a host of advanced technologies.
This new Volvo XC70 will be built using the brand’s Scalable Modular Architecture (SMA) platform and has been designed specifically to meet growing demand for plug-in hybrids in the Chinese market.
The exterior of the new Volvo XC70 builds on the design themes started with the brand’s EX30 and EX90 electric SUVs. This includes a solid Volvo shield grille that features active grille shutters in the lower bumper air that can actively open and close to optimize aerodynamics and help cool and ventilate the cabin.
In profile, the XC70 appears to straddle the line between station wagon and crossover in an attempt to recall previous XC70 designs, while staying relevant in a crossover-hungry market. Clean lines featuring crisp edges flow back to subtle rear haunches. Around back, simple vertical taillights also echo those on other Volvo models, with a light bar connecting them through the rear tailgate. In all, it’s a very restrained design in line with what we’ve come to expect from the brand, and sure to please traditionally more conservative Chinese buyers.
Volvo says the new XC70 will be available exclusively as a plug-in hybrid capable of traveling up to 124 miles on the generous CLTC testing cycle. The XC70 will be able to fast charge from 0 to 80 percent in just 23 minutes at an appropriate charger and support bi-directional charging, allowing owners to charge other electronic devices, including those used for camping and other outdoor activities.
The new Volvo XC70 will be capable of receiving over-the-air updates to enhance vehicle features in the future, as well as an AI-powered voice assistance that “makes it easy to call friends and family, control the car’s functions, and search for information online.” It will also offer a comprehensive smartphone app that lets drivers remotely precondition their vehicles and access other vehicle functions.
Inside, buyers will find the latest evolution of Volvo’s upscale minimalism, featuring clean lines, high-quality materials, and numerous screens. Drivers are met with a large 12.3-inch driver display, while an even larger freestanding 15.4-inch landscape-oriented center infotainment display dominates the sleek center console. Those seeking even more information will be able to opt for a 92-inch augmented reality head-up display, which will allow for a “more immersive cockpit experience.”
Volvo has established a reputation for exceptional seat comfort, and the new XC70 aims to continue this tradition with sculpted seats surrounded by ample storage spaces designed to be convenient for the active families the new XC70 is targeting. Carefully tuned interior acoustics provide the perfect stage for what Volvo says will be an “immersive sound experience.”
Being a Volvo, the new XC70 will also get a raft of advanced safety features that use radar, cameras, and other sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings to help mitigate or avoid collisions, as well as city-focused safety features like door open alert that helps avoid accidents with cyclists when opening doors in congested city centers.
Volvo has confirmed the new XC70 for the Chinese and European markets. It will be assembled in China, which may impact its availability in other markets, including the US, where the new XC70 will likely be supplanted by the upcoming EX60 EV.
