Volvo is seemingly all the time on the forefront relating to expertise in autos. It makes among the most secure automobiles available on the market, and makes use of a slick Google-sourced Android interface to run its infotainment system. That makes Volvos an amazing place to spend time, as long as you are prepared to place up with just a few quirks.

Volvo up to date most of its autos constructed from 2020 onward with the corporate’s new infotainment software program, which features a contemporary interface that makes the general consumer expertise much more nice. Whereas there are some large upsides, I nonetheless have complaints.

The closely up to date 2025 XC90 is among the many first autos to obtain Volvo’s new infotainment system from the manufacturing unit. To go alongside these software program adjustments, the corporate put in a brand new 11.2-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen within the heart of the sprint. Not like the earlier XC90, this display seems prefer it was slapped on the sprint, quite than put in neatly inside it. It’s an inelegant resolution, although, I think consumers gained’t thoughts. Larger is best, in spite of everything. 

The display itself seems new and high-quality, with vivid colours and loads of element. Volvo says it elevated the pixel density by 21 p.c, leading to a crisper show. And it exhibits; map particulars are simple to learn, whereas the menus are merely navigated by giant, well-marked buttons.

Underneath the display is a sparsely populated set of bodily buttons for the defroster, hazard lights, and, fortunately, quantity. There aren’t any bodily buttons for the local weather management, which sucks. Of their place is a row of digital controls completely displayed on the base of the display for adjusting issues like temperature and fan velocity. Above that sits a “contextual bar,” a row of choices that adjustments relying on the state of affairs.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Professionals: Good UI Design, Helpful Google AI, CarPlay Navigation Initiatives Onto Instrument Cluster

The bar will show issues like music controls in case you’re utilizing the Maps perform, so that you don’t have to depart the navigation system to pause your tune, for instance. Within the case of this plug-in hybrid XC90, there’s additionally a drive mode button in the identical bar that enables for straightforward entry to adjustments within the steering, suspension, and the hybrid system.

Between the tune controls and the drive mode button is a multi-colored Google icon marked “Google Assistant.” Activate it by urgent the icon or just saying “Hey, Google.” The assistant can regulate the temperature, textual content family members, or ask for instructions. And like several AI assistant, it should reply just about any query you ask it. Questioning which metropolis is the capital of New Zealand? Now, your Volvo can inform you (it’s Wellington, by the way in which).

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

It’s a gimmicky function, positive, however generally it’s good to easily command the automobile to take me dwelling or activate the seat heaters with out having to navigate by the touchscreen—particularly because the display itself will be laggy and gradual to reply when given a collection of fast inputs. It’s not mid-2010s touchscreen gradual, but it surely’s not far off, both. 

There’s a good larger downside right here, although: No wi-fi Apple CarPlay. Even within the 12 months of our lord, 2025, this Volvo XC90’s infotainment system requires a wired connection together with your cellphone to mission CarPlay onto the middle display. That’s merely unacceptable, particularly when this automobile’s all-electric sibling, the EX90, will get wi-fi CarPlay commonplace.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Cons: Sluggish Reponse Time, No Wi-fi CarPlay, Display screen Shoehorned Onto Sprint

Regardless of needing a wire, I had CarPlay operating for almost all of my time with the XC90. It’s properly built-in into the touchscreen and simple to make use of. When you’ve gotten a navigation app like Waze operating, the automobile will even mission the map and instructions onto the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a function all new automobiles ought to have. 

When there’s no precise map displayed on the cluster, it seems a bit plain. It’s not very customizable both, which is a disgrace, contemplating it’s only a display that may be programmed to indicate just about something. Once more, I’m unsure clients will actually thoughts. It is a Volvo in spite of everything, not a Lamborghini. It doesn’t should be flashy.

For being in a automobile that’s a decade outdated, Volvo’s infotainment system is spectacular. It looks like a brand new factor, with large, vivid screens and lots of fashionable capabilities. It’s just some small flaws away from being actually nice. Sharpen the display’s response time and add wi-fi CarPlay, and also you’ve acquired your self a real winner.

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Supply: Brian Silvestro / Motor1