New plug-in hybrid SUV on the cards to challenge Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW X3 and Mazda CX-60: 2026 Volvo XC70 details leaked, but will it come to Australia?

The new Volvo XC70 has been leaked in homologation filings submitted in China, which show the reborn model will be sold exclusively as a plug-in hybrid SUV.

Now positioned as a smaller sibling to the full-sized XC90, the XC70 was previously sold on the global market as a station wagon before being discontinued in 2016. Under the helm of Chinese car conglomerate Geely, the new XC70’s production has shifted from Sweden to China to service what is now its primary market.

The new model measures up at 4815mm long, 1890mm wide, 1650mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2895mm, putting it in the same equation as a Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-60 and BMW X3.

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Design-wise, it appears to be halfway between an XC90 and a fully electric EX90, adopting the same light fixtures and badging as the latter but maintaining some air induction points on the lower grille, as does the former.

The XC70 will come equipped with two powertrain options, consisting of a 21kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery or a 39.6kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt unit.

Both battery packs come paired to a 1.5-litre petrol engine that together delivers 100km or 180km of electric range, respectively, under the lenient CLTC cycle.

No details on the electric motors were provided, although the engine, which is built by Geely-Renault joint venture Aurobay, has a peak output of 120kW, according to CarNewsChina.

It is supplied on other Geely stablemates such as the Lynk & Co 08 or the Geely Galaxy L6, on which it is paired to a three-speed transmission.

Aside from the fact that the XC70 will be offered with two 19-inch wheel options, additional details remain relatively scarce for now.

At this stage it appears that the XC70 will be developed principally for China as a long-range plug-in hybrid model, although it is possible that Volvo will explore rolling it out to additional markets in the not-so-distant future.