Volvo has postponed the rollout of a major software update originally scheduled for release this year, delaying the update for approximately 2.5 million vehicles until early next year, the automaker said.
The update is intended to bring older Volvo models in line with the user experience and functionality found on the company’s latest vehicles. It applies to cars built from 2020 onward that are equipped with Volvo’s Google-based Android Automotive infotainment system. Vehicles running the older Sensus infotainment platform are not eligible.
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“To ensure that the new Volvo Car UX delivers an exceptional experience on all 2.5 million eligible Volvo models—regardless of market, model year, or hardware version—we now plan to release the new software early next year, rather than in 2025 as previously stated,” a Volvo Car USA representative told InsideEVs. Customers will be notified directly when the update becomes available, the spokesperson added.
The software update introduces several interface changes, including easier access to drive mode selection. On current systems, drivers must navigate multiple touchscreen menus to switch driving modes, a frequent complaint among owners of Volvo’s plug-in hybrid models. The revised interface adds a virtual drive mode button to the home screen, reducing the number of taps required, and introduces a persistent top bar that allows drivers to pin frequently used apps.
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The updated software mirrors the system already used in newer models such as the 2025.5 XC90, as well as the EX90 and EX30 electric vehicles. However, questions remain over how smoothly the new software will run on older vehicles, which rely on less powerful processors than those found in Volvo’s latest models.