Long-distance phevs such as Volvo XC 70 are in trend

Cars like the new XC70 could be the key in countries with less EV infrastructure, according to Volvo boss Håkan Samuelsson.

The XC70 is located between XC60 and XC90 and uses a new platform for the Range-Exterender.

The new model was presented as a medium -sized PHEV last week. It has an alleged electrical range of almost 200 km, much more than any other PHEV that currently sells the brand.

XC70 uses a platform that owner Geely delivered, and is initially only for China. However, Volvo said that it is considering a global start for the middle SUV. A long -term hybrid makes sense in regions in which loading options are not so comprehensive.

Read our review of the Volvo EX30 Twin engine performance here.

Most XC70 running are carried out with electricity. So it is a long-distance plug-in hybrid, says Samuelsson. An electric car with a back-up engine when the battery is flat, which does not occur often.

“It is a pragmatic bridge solution to wait for our customers to feel really comfortable with a purely electric car.”

What is the Volvo XC70?

Technical details remain sparse, but Volvo promised an electrical range of up to 200 km, more than double the XC60 PHEV.

XC70 is hardly larger than the XC60 and resembles a shrinked XC90. However, it uses a different architecture.

The scalable modular architecture (SMA) is intended to support the vehicle without details.

While other Geely brands use combustion engines as a generator to absorb a traction battery, the XC70 from Volvo is a conventional PHEV. This is followed by the recent unveiling of Volkswagen ID Era Rex Concept on the Shanghai Autosalon.

The same size was developed in collaboration with Saic to show the growing demand for Rex cars in China. It can also be global, with special relevance in Europe and North America.

The XC70 is the key to Volvo, which is located in a demanding environment with a global cost reduction drive.

However, Volvo is obliged to become a fully developed car company, even if only 20 percent of its sales were electrical in the first quarter of 2025. Premium plug-in hybrids are seen as ideal for customers who are not yet willing to switch to a fully electric vehicle.

The name XC70 has not been heard since 2016 when it was applied to an off-road version of the V70 estate.