Two major tech upgrades – soon in new Volvo cars

It’s the beginning of a new year, which means that we have a variety of exciting model year updates lined up. For the upcoming model year, we’re bringing two major tech upgrades to our XC40, EX40, EC40, S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90 and V90 Cross Country models.

We’re introducing our new-generation, new-look user experience to our whole lineup, as well as the ultra-fast Snapdragon® Cockpit Platform* from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. which makes the infotainment system much faster and much more responsive.

What’s more, the EX30, EX40 and EC40 models in Europe will get the service Plug & Charge, which automates charging authentication and payment for an even smoother public charging process.

Volvo Car UX: designed to be safe, focused and personal
We want to make complex things simple, and we use real-world data and customer feedback to guide us. This is the philosophy behind our new-generation user experience called Volvo Car UX, already seen in the EX30, EX90 and new XC90.

It’s designed to be a safe and enjoyable way to interact with your car’s central infotainment screen, more focused and personalised than its predecessor, with several Google services built-in**.

Examples include putting the apps and features you most often use, such as maps, media and phone on the home screen, for quicker access. In a similar logic, the contextual bar changes what you see according to the situation and displays your most recently used apps. The driver display, located just behind the steering wheel, has also been updated with a larger and clearer navigation view.

Starting this year, all models mentioned above will come equipped with the new Volvo Car UX. We will also deliver it to millions of Volvo cars with Google built-in** through a simple over-the-air software update. Later in 2025, around 2.5 million customers around the globe will get an upgrade on their Volvo cars built as early as 2020***.

“By introducing our new-generation Volvo Car UX across our lineup, we’re working towards the aim that every Volvo model – regardless of platform and powertrain – should offer a similar user experience, providing our customers with more choices,” says Erik Severinson, chief product and strategy officer at Volvo Cars. “This roll-out is in line with our strategy to make our cars better over time with over-the-air software updates and goes hand in hand with our ambition to keep investing in our entire car lineup.”

Faster, more responsive infotainment system
You might recognise our other upgrade from the EX90 and EX30 models. The next-generation Snapdragon Cockpit Platform makes our existing Google Android Auto-based infotainment system much faster and much more responsive. The infotainment system in these models will be more than twice as fast as the outgoing system, with a graphics generation that is up to 10 times faster.

“This boost creates a lag-free infotainment system that displays the right information at the right time – essentially helping us to decrease driver distraction and help you be a safer driver,” says Anders Bell, chief engineering and technology officer at Volvo Cars. “By improving our in-car connectivity, Qualcomm Technologies helps us to deliver even more value to our customers. We both share a vision of the software-defined car and how it enables premium in-car experiences that are personalised, more entertaining and continuously upgradable.”

The Snapdragon Cockpit Platform will also be added to the new XC90 SUV model this year.

Seamless charging process
Finally, Plug & Charge will be added on this years’ EX30, EX40 and EC40 cars in Europe. Plug & Charge is an authentication and billing system that simplifies the charging experience.

“With Plug & Charge you just drive up to a compatible charging station, hop out, plug in and go about your day,” says Erik Severinson. “When you’re back, it’s the same carefree approach – everything is already sorted by the system.”

Plug & Charge is set up and activated via the car, and you can easily find compatible charging stations using Google Maps in your car’s centre display or the Volvo Cars app. These stations identify your car and its associated payment method as soon as you connect the charging cable to your car. The charging starts automatically, with no need for additional cards or authentication, and payment is processed seamlessly.

• The factory upgrades will be available on the 2026 model year versions of the XC40, EX40, EC40, S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90 and V90 Cross Country models. The Snapdragon chip is also introduced on the new XC90. The availability and timing will vary from market to market.
• More information on additional 2026 model year updates across our range is coming soon.
• *Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.
Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
• ** Or its equivalent in China and South Korea.
• *** Including C40, XC40, EX40, EC40, S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, XC60, S90, V90, V90 Cross Country and XC90 with Android operating system.
• Google, Google Maps, Android and Android Auto are trademarks of Google LLC.