Volvo has used the XC preface on its trucks since 1998. The XC trim has always been reserved for the tough versions of Volvo trucks. Today, the company makes three XC SUVs. Do you know what XC means?
The first XC wagon came out in 1998
The first XC car was the taller V70 XC pickup based on the five-seat Volvo V70 pickup. The V at the time stood for versatility, and 70 was the size of the truck. The XC stood for Cross Country; In other words, a vehicle that had more capability, in this case, some off-road abilities that made it suitable for a true cross-country trip. Volvo wanted to add a bit of attitude to the V70, so it went with the now-familiar XC name to denote a tougher stance, and it kind of accomplished that mission, according to an old report from New car test drive.
The XC70 was a bit late to the SUV trend in 1998, as trucks were losing their cool, but it was one of the first true crossovers. Crossovers are vehicles that combine the dynamics of a car with the rugged capabilities of an SUV. The XV70 received a slight lift for clearance, fog lights and a roof rack, as well as taller tires. It had the same four-wheel drive as the regular V70 wagon, but with the added benefits it could attack some logging roads the street-focused car would never attempt.
Are Volvo XC SUVs considered luxury?
Volvo currently makes three XC SUVs, the XC40, XC60 and XC90. The smallest is the XC40, the largest is the seven-seat XC90, and the midsize XC60 is the most popular. They are considered luxury SUVs, but they appeal to a certain demographic that prefers a clean and uncluttered appearance. The interiors of Volvo XC SUVs have been upgraded in recent years and now include a host of connectivity enhancements thanks to Volvo’s Sensus Connect system. Basically, they work with Google’s Android Automotive system (although Apple supports it).
Today’s XC series has a large screen in the middle of the dash. The original floating center console and dust-collecting display pocket are gone. Plus, they all have driver assistance features like lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
Will there be an XC60 recharge?
In 2021, Volvo launched its Recharge SUVs, which are fully electric SUVs or hybrid SUVs. The seven-passenger XC90 Recharge combines a gasoline engine with batteries to make an impressive 455 horsepower and has an EV range of 36 miles. The XC60 Recharge T8 is a plug-in hybrid version of the XC60 and has a similar 455 horsepower powertrain with a slightly different battery. In the smaller SUV, it should be a lot of fun to drive fast. It has 35 miles of electric range.
The new EX90 is an ultra-sleek and expensive all-EV version with the new EX designation. The XC40 Recharge, which is fully electric, has been available since 2021. It has a range of 350 kilometers and a total of 402 horsepower. But unlike their SUV brethren, the Recharge versions are tuned for electric efficiency and emissions-free cross-country, without venturing into the woods.