Again within the Nineties, earlier than the SUV increase, Volvo’s V70 Cross Nation was a preferred selection for patrons who wanted a little bit extra off-road skill or simply didn’t wish to be seen driving a plain-old wagon, which, to most individuals was about as cool as a combover.
Quick ahead 25 years and SUVs are very a lot the center of Volvo’s lineup, however the automaker hasn’t forgotten its Cross Nation badge. You’ll be able to nonetheless purchase a crossover-ized wagon within the type of the V60 and V90 Cross Nation, and now Volvo has introduced it’s making use of the title to an off-road-themed model of its new EX30 electrical SUV.
Out there to order for the 2025 mannequin yr from 2024, and hitting the street later that very same yr, the EX30 Cross Nation is unlikely to be a severe Moab-grade off-road machine, however Volvo’s designers have ticked all the plain containers, including beneficiant helpings of black plastic to the nostril, tail and decrease sections of the doorways that give it a a lot harder look.
That pretty deep entrance spoiler seems like it’ll restrict its rock-crawling potential, however Volvo says the Cross Nation will function skid plates entrance and rear and provide further floor clearance, so perhaps there’s some substance behind the type. Commonplace wheels will measure 19 inches throughout, however 18-inch wheels with gnarlier off-road rubber may even be obtainable, as seen in these photographs. Let’s hope the roof rack additionally makes it to the choices listing, although we dread to assume what impact it will have on the EX’s electrical driving vary.
Associated: The 2025 EX30 Is Volvo’s Smallest And Quickest Mannequin Ever, Begins At $34,950
Volvo hasn’t revealed an official vary determine for the Cross Nation, and even what the powertrain lineup will appear like, although they’re unlikely to be any totally different from what’s being supplied within the common EX30. The one query is which of these EX30 choices will make the minimize. The EX vary begins with a single 268 hp (272 PS) electrical motor and 54 kWh LFP battery that’s good for 200 EPA miles (322 km) and 214 WLTP miles (344 km), however patrons have the choice of mating the identical motor with a 69 kWh NMC battery that reinforces driving vary by over 35 p.c.
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Given the Cross Nation’s off-road pretensions, nonetheless, Volvo may determine to restrict prospects to the all-wheel drive setup from the EX30 Twin Motor Efficiency. That develops 422 hp (428 PS), gives 265 EPA miles (286 miles / 460 km WLTP) of vary, and storms to 60 mph in solely 3.4 seconds (3.6 to 100 km/h), making it the quickest accelerating manufacturing Volvo of all time.
The bottom EX begins at a tempting $34,950 (€36,000 / £33,795) however we think about a Twin Motor Cross Nation will price a minimum of a 3rd as a lot once more when it arrives subsequent yr. Would you prefer to see Volvo provide a Cross Nation bundle on its different SUVs?