[Taboleo] Imported Car Navigation Unusable? Volvo Breaks Prejudice, Returns Smarter Than Ever

2024 Volvo XC60 and C40 Recharge Test Drive
Popular Tmap Infotainment Upgrade

Most people probably perceive imported car navigation systems as inconvenient. The reasons vary, such as poor maps or difficulty getting used to the system. A market research firm surveyed about 25,000 people who bought new cars within the last three years and found that only 38% of them use the genuine navigation system in imported cars. This is just a little over half the rate for domestic cars (68%).

Volvo played a decisive role in changing the perception of imported car infotainment systems, which had low expectations. Especially in Korea, they invested hundreds of billions of won to develop a separate integrated system together with T map, which has a wide user base. After Volvo Korea and T map Mobility announced their collaboration in 2020, from the following year, they applied a dedicated infotainment system in their cars.

Volvo's 2.0 T-map integrated infotainment service. In Seoul, you can check the real-time traffic light status on major roads.

Since then, there have been many positive reviews from actual users. T map is considered the most widely used navigation application among both domestic and imported car owners. Besides Volvo, other imported car brands have also increasingly adopted T map for their genuine navigation systems.

Volvo’s T map has now been upgraded to version 2.0. It features more advanced personalized services. I test drove the 2024 Volvo XC60 and the electric SUV C40 Recharge equipped with the new T map system in the Gangwon-do regions of Goseong and Gangneung.

Volvo XC60

2024 Volvo XC60

After sitting in the car, I said, “Ariya, let’s go test drive the Volvo,” and the pre-set test drive course was displayed, and the climate control system activated. These “my routines” can be set in various ways. On the way to work, the destination is set to the office, and you can listen to a summary of the day’s schedule and news. You can also check emails received after leaving work the previous day or listen to your favorite music.

The settings for the way home can be customized according to individual preferences. The function to send a message and estimated arrival time to someone waiting at home seemed very useful. With this upgrade, accessing video content has become easier. The browser app called Vivaldi allows access to various platforms like YouTube. There is also an audiobook app that reads books aloud.

Next-Generation T map Integrated Infotainment Service Personalized Routine for Everyone

Although I couldn’t verify since the test drive course was in Gangwon-do, T map reportedly also provides traffic light information during driving in downtown Seoul. It considers traffic signal information when guiding the route. Currently, only Seoul provides this information, but discussions are underway to expand it to other local governments. Driving habits that could only be seen on the smartphone T map are now available in the new system, and from the end of the year, in-car payment services will also be available.

These features will be applied not only to new cars but also to all Volvo vehicles released since last year through OTA (over-the-air) updates. Third-party apps developed and used by various participants have also been implemented. It was possible to anticipate that future smart cars will likely be developed following this direction.

Volvo 2024 C40 Recharge