How the XC60’s Advanced Tech Improves Your Time Behind the Wheel

When you see a list of tech features on a new car-especially if it's been a while since you were last in the market for a vehicle-it can feel a little overwhelming sometimes. It's not always clear what new features are actually supposed to be used for and whether they're really helpful or just a flashy gimmick. 

As your friendly neighborhood Volvo dealership, we here at Bedard Brothers Volvo Cars want to break through the buzzwords and let you know-in the simplest terms-what the latest tech features can do for you. So, let's break down some of the hottest tech on board the 2024 Volvo XC60; these features are everywhere, from the infotainment interface to the climate control system, but one thing they have in common is that they can improve your driving experience. 

Connectivity Features

You probably know that it's dangerous to use your cell phone while you're driving; holding a phone, looking at it, and trying to type are all distracting and can put you, your passengers, and everyone around you in harm's way. But some cell phone features can be very useful while you're en route, from navigation apps to music streaming services and basic functions like making phone calls. That's why modern vehicles give you access to these features through the infotainment interface, letting you get all the benefits of your smartphone without the risks of using your actual phone.

The most widespread way to do this is with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which come standard across all trims of the XC60. With these systems, you simply hook your phone up to the car, and you can use a variety of apps through the vehicle's interface. This interface includes the central touchscreen as well as physical buttons and dials, controls built into the steering wheel, and voice commands so you can make calls, change your music, and check your navigation directions while keeping your eyes-and your attention-on the road ahead.

The more advanced Google Built-In suite is similar in some ways, but there is one big difference: you don't need a phone at all. Instead, the most popular Google apps are within the infotainment system's software, so you can use them even if your phone has died. 

Google Maps provides turn-by-turn navigation directions and real-time traffic information, with automatic rerouting for when situations change while you're on your way. Google Play provides audio entertainment like music and podcasts that can help you stay entertained during your commute. Google Assistant lets you control these apps and more through intuitive voice commands. Instead of pressing a button, you can simply say "Hey Google" to activate it and add a pit stop to your route, make a phone call, or switch to a different playlist; it's like having a co-pilot on board, even when you're driving solo.

A High-Quality Air Purifier

Not all technological advances have to do with touchscreens and driver information displays. Others are hidden from view but just as important. For example, some trims of the XC60 are equipped with an advanced air purifier that helps you breathe easy, even when you're driving down dusty roads, passing by a construction site, or visiting a polluted city center. 

This system prevents up to 95% of harmful PM 2.5 particles from getting into the cabin. There's also a system that lets you monitor the particulate and pollen levels outside, so you can know whether you can feel free to roll down the windows or should stick to AC to avoid an allergy flare-up.

Premium Audio System

Listening to music is a great way to pass the time on the road, whether you're running errands around town, commuting to the office, or embarking on an epic road trip. If you want your music to sound crisp and clear, then you can upgrade to the available high-fidelity Bowers & Wilkins audio system that comes standard on the Ultimate trim of the XC60. 

No matter what you're listening to, this high-end system lets you hear every detail of it, with fifteen speakers placed throughout the cabin to give you a surround-sound experience. There are even different "room modes" that you can choose to customize your experience to your playlist and your mood, including Studio, Individual Stage, Concert Hall, and Jazz Club. It can be a lot easier to get through rush hour traffic when you're fully immersed in your favorite album.

A Head-Up Display

The infotainment touchscreen in the dashboard and the driver information display behind the wheel can work together to show you all of the information, warnings, and diagnostics you need while driving. But while these screens are strategically placed to be easy to quickly glance at, they do require you to take your eyes off the road, if only for a second or two. 

If you want to be able to monitor your speed, navigation instructions, and other features without taking your eyes off the road for an instant, you can use the Head-Up Display that comes standard on the XC60 Ultimate. This display isn't a screen; it's a projection that appears on the lower portion of your dash. 

Since it isn't opaque, you can see right through it and keep an eye on the road ahead of you even as you check what your next turn is. The brightness adjusts automatically to the light conditions around you, so it won't be too dim to see in the sunlight or distractingly bright at night, and you can adjust the settings to make it perfect for your individual needs and preferences.

Driver Assistance Features

Comfort and convenience are great, but no vehicle is complete without a comprehensive lineup of safety features. The 2024 XC60 has plenty of tech working hard to keep you safe behind the wheel, and its very body is designed to be capable and crashworthy. You don't have to take our word or Volvo's on this, as reputable organizations have found the XC60 to be a safe and secure vehicle. 

This SUV has a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, thanks to its excellent design and array of crash avoidance and mitigation technology. Important features come standard across all trims, so you don't have to pay extra to get the assistance you need in a dangerous situation. 

Forward Collision Warning lets you know when an accident is imminent, and Automatic Emergency Braking can step in if you don't react quickly enough or brake hard enough to avoid a collision. Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist prevent you from drifting out of your lane on the highway, which can be especially dangerous at high speeds. 

The Blind Spot Information System also comes in handy here, letting you know when a vehicle is in your blind spot so you don't change lanes at the wrong time. A Traffic Sign Recognition system helps you keep track of the current speed limit and other conditions that can be hard to remember, especially if you're driving in an unfamiliar area. The Rear Cross-Traffic Alert warns you about vehicles coming from either side of you while you're in reverse so you can back out of your parking spot without getting into a fender-bender.

Higher trim levels have even more advanced driver assistance features. Adaptive Cruise Control maintains a set speed like a traditional cruise control system but will slow down or even come to a stop in order to maintain a set following distance behind the vehicle in front of you; once the coast is clear, it climbs back up to your set speed so you can keep cruise control on even when traffic isn't flowing quite as fast as you'd like it to. 

Pilot Assist takes this system a step further by keeping the vehicle inside the lane lines so you can tackle long-haul drives without having to be fully on alert for hours on end. The available 360-degree parking view uses multiple cameras to let you see the entire area around your vehicle, so you can maneuver in tight spaces and park just about anywhere the XC60 can physically fit.

Volvo's Substantial Automotive Tech

As you can see, the technology available on Volvo vehicles doesn't just look cool or sound cutting edge-it provides real benefits to drivers. You can stay safe, breathe easy, and keep entertained on the longest of drives thanks to the thoughtful features of the XC60. No matter how or where you travel, you can make use of some or all of these features and have a better experience behind the wheel.