Volvo achieves Level 5 status in software-defined vehicles

Volvo Cars, as reported by S&P Global Mobility, reaches Level 5 in software-defined vehicles, highlighting its shift to OTA updates, AI systems and scalable architecture. Learn more.

Volvo Cars has become the only legacy automaker to reach Level 5 in S&P Global Mobility’s software-defined vehicle ranking — the highest possible score, indicating full readiness for continuous software updates and post-sale evolution.

This status reflects a shift toward an architecture where the car is no longer a static product. Volvo states that nearly every function can be improved throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle via over-the-air updates. This goes beyond infotainment, affecting safety systems, charging performance, driving range and overall functionality.

At the core of this transition is Volvo’s in-house developed system, HuginCore. It combines electrical architecture, a central computing system, zone controllers and software into a unified platform. This system underpins new models including the EX90, ES90 and EX60, enabling scalable improvements across multiple vehicles.

The approach is already visible in real-world use. Volvo continues to roll out OTA updates that affect both user experience and core vehicle functions. In early March, the company announced its largest software update to date, delivering the new Volvo Car UX interface to around 2.5 million vehicles in 85 countries. Updates also include enhancements to safety systems, new parking assistance features, infotainment upgrades and increased computing performance.

In the case of the EX90, Volvo introduced an upgraded core computing system based on dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processors, reaching up to 500 trillion operations per second. This increased capacity supports further development of safety and driver assistance systems through data, software and artificial intelligence.

For users, this means the car continues to evolve after purchase. Software updates can influence battery management and charging efficiency. The ES90, built on an 800-volt architecture, is claimed to add up to 300 km of range in 10 minutes of charging, while the updated EX90 can add up to 250 km in the same time. These improvements are tied not only to hardware but also to software control of energy systems.

Volvo directly links the software-defined approach to safety. The company says it can now turn real-world driving data into insights more quickly, improving future safety and assistance systems. Vehicles continuously analyze their surroundings and contribute to a shared data pool that supports ongoing development.

This transformation is backed by significant investment in software development. Volvo has opened a major software testing centre in Gothenburg, covering about 22,000 square meters, and continues to expand its network of tech hubs in Europe and Asia. These facilities support faster development, testing and deployment of new features.

The Level 5 rating from S&P Global Mobility reflects not a single technology, but a broader architectural shift. Volvo is positioning its vehicles as part of a continuously evolving digital platform — an approach that, according to S&P, only a limited number of automakers have achieved so far.