S. automakers catering to the appetite for bigger vehicles that Americans seem to crave. The Cadillac Escalade, a flagship model in its own right, is no exception, stretching over 18 feet long.
Now, Volvo may be poised to join the fray, with internal discussions hinting at a move into the full-size SUV segment in America. According to Volvo Cars CEO Håkan Samuelsson, the company is exploring a larger three-row SUV that could sit above today's XC90 and compete directly with heavyweights like the Escalade, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and BMW X7. , where demand for large three-row SUVs remains strong.
China is also seeing continued appetite for big, premium family haulers. Volvo's move into this segment comes at a time when the brand is working on building a next-gen plug-in hybrid at its South Carolina factory, which will also produce the EX90 and Polestar 3. S.
customers. Volvo has been tight-lipped on details, but the model could evolve from the current SPA2 architecture or draw on parent company Geely's resources. A full-size template already exists in the form of Geely's premium EV brand Zeekr's 9X SUV, which offers 236 miles of electric range and can charge to 80 percent in just 10 minutes.
The 9X pushes output to 1,381 hp using a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, making it a strong candidate to form the base for a future XL Volvo SUV. With its impressive specs and size, the Zeekr 9X is well-positioned to challenge the Cadillac Escalade in the full-size SUV segment.
This move by Volvo could potentially disrupt the luxury SUV market, forcing other manufacturers to reevaluate their own full-size offerings. As consumers increasingly prioritize practicality and space, it's likely that we'll see more manufacturers jumping into this segment.
