Volvo’s Infotainment System Looks Good, But Falls Short: Review

Volvo is seemingly all the time on the forefront in terms of expertise in autos. It makes a few of the most secure vehicles in the marketplace, 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 keen to place up with a couple of 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 person expertise much more nice. Whereas there are some huge 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 middle of the sprint. In contrast to the earlier XC90, this display seems to be prefer it was slapped on the sprint, somewhat than put in neatly inside it. It’s an inelegant answer, although, I think patrons gained’t thoughts. Larger is healthier, in any case. 

The display itself seems to be new and high-quality, with shiny colours and loads of element. Volvo says it elevated the pixel density by 21 %, leading to a crisper show. And it reveals; map particulars are straightforward to learn, whereas the menus are merely navigated via massive, 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 pace. Above that sits a “contextual bar,” a row of choices that adjustments relying on the scenario.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Execs: 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 go away the navigation system to pause your track, 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 simple entry to adjustments within the steering, suspension, and the hybrid system.

Between the track 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 alter the temperature, textual content family members, or ask for instructions. And like every AI assistant, it can 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 best way).

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

It’s a gimmicky characteristic, positive, however typically it’s good to easily command the automobile to take me residence or activate the seat heaters with out having to navigate via the touchscreen—particularly for the reason that display itself may be laggy and sluggish to reply when given a sequence of fast inputs. It’s not mid-2010s touchscreen sluggish, but it surely’s not far off, both. 

There’s an excellent greater drawback 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 along with your cellphone to undertaking CarPlay onto the middle display. That’s merely unacceptable, particularly when this automobile’s all-electric sibling, the EX90, will get wi-fi CarPlay normal.

Photograph by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

Cons: Sluggish Reponse Time, No Wi-fi CarPlay, Display 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 undertaking the map and instructions onto the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a characteristic all new vehicles ought to have. 

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

For being in a automobile that’s a decade outdated, Volvo’s infotainment system is spectacular. It seems like a brand new factor, with huge, shiny screens and lots of fashionable capabilities. It’s only a few small flaws away from being really nice. Sharpen the display’s response time and add wi-fi CarPlay, and also you’ve obtained your self a real winner.

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Supply: Brian Silvestro / Motor1