From dirt tracks to electrification: how the Cross Country spirit of Volvo is evolving

At the end of the nineties, Volvo made a decision that would come to define an important part of its identity. As the market began to discover the potential of all-wheel drive and more versatile vehicles, the Swedish brand decided to reinterpret the traditional estate from a completely new perspective. It was not about building an off-roader, nor about giving up the comfort of a passenger car. The idea was different: to create a car capable of going beyond the tarmac without losing the elegance and safety of a Volvo.

This is how the Volvo V70 XC was born, presented in 1997, the model that introduced the Cross Country name and opened the way to an entirely new segment. That proposal combined the best of two worlds: the practicality of an estate with a greater ability to tackle uneven roads, snow or little-travelled terrain. All-wheel drive, greater ground clearance, a reinforced chassis and a more robust styling defined a car designed for those who understood driving as a way of exploring.

The formula worked. The V70 Cross Country quickly became a cult car and a commercial success that exceeded 300,000 units produced across its first two generations. But above all, it laid the foundations for a family that would later expand to models such as V60, V40 and V90, consolidating the Cross Country concept within the Volvo range.

The adventurous spirit enters the electric era

Almost three decades later, that idea is still alive, although the context has changed radically. The industry is moving towards electrification and Volvo has decided to carry the Cross Country spirit over to a new generation of zero-emission vehicles.

Today, that legacy takes shape in models such as the EX30 Cross Country and the new EX60 Cross Country, which reinterpret the original philosophy with fully electric technology. The essence remains the same as in 1997: offering robust, safe and versatile cars, capable of performing confidently both in everyday use and in more demanding environments.

Volvo EX30 Cross Country: the electric SUV that invites you to explore

The EX30 Cross Country represents the most compact version of this vision. Designed to go beyond the urban environment, this electric SUV features a higher driving position, which improves ground clearance and makes it easier to tackle uneven tracks or challenging surfaces.

Its design also reinforces that adventurous character. The matt black trim, the 19-inch alloy wheels and the option of 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres underline a bolder look, aimed at those who do not want to limit themselves to the road.

But its off-road orientation does not mean giving up performance. The EX30 Cross Country features the Twin Motor Performance system, capable of producing 428 CV and 543 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. In essence, it is an electric SUV that combines traction capability with performance typical of high-performance models.

Volvo EX60 Cross Country: a new dimension of adventure

Above it sits the Volvo EX60 Cross Country, a model that carries the same philosophy into a higher segment and expands the capabilities of the concept.

Its design includes specific elements that reinforce its identity: exclusive wheels, Cross Country badges integrated into the bumper and D-pillar, lower protection panels in brushed stainless steel and more robust wheel arches.

In addition, this version raises the bodywork 20 mm above the standard EX60, improving its ability to tackle uneven terrain. Thanks to the air suspension, the height can be increased by a further 20 mm when conditions require it. On the motorway, the system can lower it to optimise aerodynamics, stability and energy efficiency.

Mechanically, the EX60 Cross Country uses a dual electric motor system capable of producing 510 CV and 710 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds without giving up the all-electric all-wheel drive needed for low-grip terrain.

The P10 AWD Electric version offers up to 640 kilometres of range and supports charging at up to 400 kW, allowing 340 kilometres of range to be recovered in just 10 minutes. A P12 AWD Electric variant with even greater range will join later.

A philosophy that keeps evolving

If there is one thing the evolution of the Cross Country range demonstrates, it is that the original idea behind Volvo still makes sense today. What began as an adventurous reinterpretation of the traditional estate has become a family of vehicles capable of combining safety, comfort and exploration in a completely new context: electric mobility.

The spirit remains the same as that which inspired the V70 XC in 1997. The difference is that now the adventure moves in silence… and without emissions.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

V

CrossoverVolvo EX608 versions · from 64,900 €

Off-RoadVolvo EX307 versions · from 39,050 €