Volvo is embedding the Apple Music app directly into its in-car experience for a broad range of models, ensuring the streaming platform is ready on the central display the moment drivers start their new EX60 all-electric SUV. The move makes the premium crossover one of the first Volvo vehicles to ship with the service fully integrated at launch, eliminating the need for a separate setup process.
Seamless rollout across the lineup
For customers with existing Volvo models, the company is deploying Apple Music through an over-the-air software update at no cost. The update spans virtually every vehicle built from the 2020 model year onward, covering the EX90, ES90, XC90, S90, V90, XC60, S60, V60, XC40, EX40, and EC40. Availability timing will vary by specific model and market.
Once the software arrives, drivers gain access to a catalog of more than 100 million songs without advertisements, along with live radio stations and expertly curated playlists. Control is designed for minimal distraction: a tap on the touchscreen or a spoken voice command is all that is needed to manage playback while on the move. Volvo is also offering a complimentary three-month subscription via the Volvo Cars app for those who do not currently use Apple Music. The promotion remains valid for all eligible users until July 6, 2027. The system further allows the import of existing music libraries from other streaming platforms.
Spatial Audio enhances latest EVs
Volvo’s newest electric models—the EX60, EX90, and ES90—introduce an additional layer of sonic immersion. In these vehicles, the Apple Music app supports Spatial Audio powered by Dolby Atmos, which positions listeners inside a three-dimensional soundstage. The effect is reinforced by significant advances in cabin noise insulation, which sharply reduce exterior sound intrusion. When paired with the available Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, the interior is transformed into what the company likens to a mobile concert venue.
Alwin Bakkenes, head of global software engineering at Volvo Cars, noted that the deep software-hardware integration is designed to faithfully reproduce the emotional listening experience that recording artists intend. The initiative aligns with a wider industry shift in which automakers are forging tighter bonds with streaming platforms and premium audio brands, turning vehicle cabins into curated entertainment spaces rather than merely offering basic media playback.
Source: www.volvocars.com