Volvo Is About to Give 2.5 Million Cars a Huge Upgrade (Without Owners Lifting a Finger)
Jan 23rd

 If you’ve ever wished your car could feel newer without actually buying a new one… Volvo is about to make that dream very real.

Later this year, Volvo is rolling out a massive over-the-air update to around 2.5 million cars worldwide — and it’s being described as one of the biggest OTA updates in automotive history.

That’s right. No dealership visit. No cables. No stress. Just a “your car has updated” moment… and suddenly your older Volvo feels like it’s jumped forward into the future.

So what’s actually happening?
Volvo is remotely installing its brand-new infotainment system interface to vehicles running Android Automotive, which first launched back in 2020 with the XC40 Recharge (now known as the EX40).

And the big headline here is simple:

✅ Cars from 2020 onwards are about to get the same UX (user experience) style as Volvo’s newest models.

That means the screen layout, the menus, the overall feel and flow of the system — it’s all getting a fresh, modern makeover.

Volvo_XC60_Interior.jpg 

The Volvo Car UX is coming to older cars
The new infotainment system is called Volvo Car UX, and it’s the same experience that features in the latest Volvo models like the EX30, EX90 and the upcoming EX60.

So imagine owning a 2020 Volvo… and suddenly the inside tech feels much closer to a brand-new car.

Volvo basically said: if you’re part of the connected era, you shouldn’t be stuck with “old tech vibes” just because your car isn’t the newest badge on the road.

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Goodbye Google Assistant… Hello Gemini 🤖
This update isn’t just a visual refresh. It’s also a serious intelligence upgrade.

The update will replace the previous Google in-car assistant with Google Gemini, the AI-powered system that’s starting to appear in newer vehicles.

And this is where things get really exciting.

Instead of the typical “robot voice commands only” vibe, Gemini is built for natural conversation, meaning it can understand what you mean better — not just what you say.

What can Gemini do in your Volvo?
Volvo says Gemini in the car will let drivers interact in a way that feels more… human.

You’ll be able to:

  • Craft messages just by speaking normally
     
  • Translate messages into different languages before sending
     
  • Ask questions directly from the car’s user manual (no more hunting through menus)
     
  • Learn specific details about your destination, mid-drive
    Basically… it’s like your car gets an upgraded brain and becomes much easier to talk to.

Volvo also highlighted that this kind of interaction can reduce your “cognitive load”, which is just a fancy way of saying it helps keep your mind clearer while driving — and that means fewer distractions and a safer journey for everyone in the car.

 Volvo EX30 action 031.jpg

Is this actually a big deal? (Yes… and here’s why)
The real magic of connected cars is that they can improve after you buy them.

Most people expect software updates on phones, tablets, laptops… but cars? Not so much.

Volvo is making a strong statement here: your car shouldn’t feel outdated after just a few years, especially when it’s already built with the hardware to support smarter features.

And even though Tesla has been doing huge fleet updates for years, Volvo’s CTO pointed out Volvo operates in more countries, which makes this rollout a major move on a global scale.

Will every Volvo get the exact same system?
It’ll be close — but not identical for everyone.

Volvo explained that updated cars will have the same infotainment layout as the EX90, but there may be some slight differences depending on things like:

  • screen size
     
  • older processing chips (silicon)
    Still, the overall experience will be a big step forward for owners with 2020+ vehicles.

When is the update coming?
The update was originally planned for last year, but Volvo delayed it for extra development.

Now, Volvo’s Chief Technology Officer Anders Bell has confirmed it’s in the final testing stages and is set to launch in the coming months.

So if you’re driving a newer Volvo model built on Android Automotive, you might want to keep an eye out for that update notification. 

 

Credits to Volvo for images  

Credits to gguy for image of gemini