Volvo's SENSUS OS, and why I think it's better than the new Android OS.

Here's a follow up video from yesterday's video where we took a closer look at the new Android infotainment. Today it's time to look at the Sensus system. This video are recorded in my MY20 Volvo S90 T8 R-design.

[@KuyaArbee]

Wow thank you for the update! I was jealous of the native Google Android systems but now seeing some flaws at this point and I’m happy and content with my current 2020 xc40 and sensus system

[@edgaraspadegimas4951]

Volvo could just add full screen andrdodauto/carplay and that will be best android system for me :D

[@Agathonanil]

This is all i want..Able to use Waze full screen..

[@bcurobinson]

@@Agathonanil the only thing all of us want. All they have to do is update some code. It’s really not that hard

[@Daniel_Adam]

Has this been done yet?

[@josegonzalez570]

Great video, man! I'm terminating my research phase and getting ready to order a '21 V90CC. Your channel was very helpful.

[@drdel76]

Note that Volvo PHEVs with Sensus benefit from integration of the navigation and drive computer systems. By setting a round trip, including any waypoints, the computer will balance electric and petrol engine modes to maximise battery usage for the whole journey. That cannot be done in the Android system.

[@josepbou8681]

I own a XC60 with Android Automotive OS (2.2) and...yes, SENSE is massive much more customizable. For sure, the Android A. OS is improving with each update, and will be adding new services (youtube for instance) and being much more powerful on APPs, but i think that never will catch the car customization versus sensus

[@MR-vj8dn]

Both Sensus and Android Automotive look dated to me when compared to the GUI of a 10 year old German car. I’m NOT fond of the latest generations of VW GUIs in their EVe but their petrol cars are fine. Sadly Google hasn’t communicated any news about face lifts and so on. Android is years behind Apples CarPlay when it comes to usability and ease of use. It’s sad that the big companies can’t work together.

[@Skye_the_toller]

New xc60 recharge 2022 ( from my V90 2018). Big.. big step back! Bugs, less intuitive, less options, nothing available without going there 2 to 3 menus… very smart to increase accidents…. This android system is now more than one year old and not still interesting…. Rey interesting car without a good driver experience…Volvo needs to wake up fast

[@volvo_kristian]

Agreed 👍

[@rahulntsh1358]

Oh! I was waiting for 2022 model and after these feedback went ahead with 2021. I love the sensus system. It’s well integrated. I think it’s gonna take many more patches (years) for AA to reach the stable state. But for the money .. AA bugs are not worth it. Thanks again for all your reviews .. it helped me a lot .. I love my xc60 inscription with sensus. :)

[@afitzsimons]

Shame we can't add voice tags to saved addresses,

[@charlieparis1]

Thank you for an excellent overview and comparison. Very useful for my decision making process.

[@Razors378]

I from Sweden and I have a s90 t8 2021 inscription fully loaded but I find my sensus system kind of sluggish, especially the Spotify app. It’s annoying sometimes when changing songs it gets stuck at buffering and you got to switch between radio and back for it to reconnect. Same when you start the car. It’s loading and loading. Also the other day I couldn’t see what time it was in the car. The showed -:-. Took 5-10 minutes before the clock appeared. Also the sensors are kind of slow when parking. The beeping starts way to late sometimes. I’m not sure but comparing it to a Tesla this syatem is just slow. Not sure if it’s the os or processor but it’s just overall slow sometimes well really often. I was thinking of getting the 2022. They have a brand new s 90 2022 one with a t8 with r design pro package but not sure of the new Android system now. Maybe just buy another brand. My dream car would be a bmw m5 competition but that’s a totally different maintaining cost

[@Daniel-A84]

A few of theese features is now avalible on google automotive. Also, the built in navigation in sensus is just useless. This video need an update to make an accurate comparrison.

[@volvo_kristian]

This video was relevant at recording time.. No need to make a update now, because Volvo doesn't offer Sensus in any new cars. It's only Google now.

[@olew1983]

Thank you Kristien for that video. Very informative. Do you know how I can uncheck odometer information from the driver dashboard?

[@volvo_kristian]

The total odometer are only visible on the driver cluster. Only trips visible on the centre screen.

[@elpepelucho]

that map readout is crowded in comparison to the android OS. I would much rather have a nice, big, goole maps there than anything else.

[@redrocket931]

Are you the only driver of your car? If you have 2 drivers of one car the sensus is unable to connect to the phone that is present in the vehicle. All it is able to do is connect to the last phone automatically. Otherwise you have to manually select the phone in all the apps. Bluetooth/phone and messages.

[@doraimberti]

Hi Kristian. Have you asked Volvo if they are going to offer updates to fix the instrument panel or the lack of information. Not everyone wants to see the navigation system in the dashboard. I have that option on the mercedes and I never use it. I leave the map on the middle console panel. Please volvo fix your products!

[@KuyaArbee]

Also you showed me more of the nav system more than I know!!

[@volvo_kristian]

That's great 👍

[@Zero-sm8oi]

@@volvo_kristian Yea me to :D

[@andrelehto152]

Google Maps can do everything you just shown, it's just seems that Volvo is not supporting the functionality. That is on Volvo, not Google Maps.

[@DrRDW]

The downside im noticing with GoogleMaps is the inability to control the Hybrid powertrain system during routes.

[@Rasmus3377]

Is it possible to get the Apple CarPlay map in the cockpit view?

[@cenz11]

I was almost sold on a MY22 XC60 B6, however the Android system had be scouring the internet and YT for comparisons. Thank you for this video. It's exactly what I was looking for and has influenced my decision to withhold from going ahead. I will be looking for a MY21 T6 R-Design now instead, or perhaps an BMW X3/X4. Thanks again!

[@johntriebe7441]

I much prefer the Sensus system. Just saw my friends 2023 XC90 with Android, and agree with your observation that the Android system leaves much to be desired.

[@KuyaArbee]

yea the Android current system is TRASH! literally TRASH! I've had no issues with Sensus! LITERALLY NONE! but having a 2023 XC90 loaner with the Google Native OS! HOLYSH*T it had so many issues in the 2 days of driving it... literally the WORSE! no sound through carplay or even bluetooth and just a mess and the middle map screen would disappear

[@AndyFerdean]

The navigation problems can be solved with voice searching. My biggest issue with the Sensus system is that it does not display Android Auto or CarPlay Fullscreen.

[@volvo_kristian]

No it can't. Sadly

[@AndyFerdean]

@@volvo_kristian ohh, too bad. If you ask Google assistant to do what you tried to do on Google maps it doesn't work? Also, do you know a way to use Android Auto Fullscreen on Sensus? I want to buy an S60 and it's the main problem I have with Sensus os

[@Zero-sm8oi]

Hello Kristian, greeting from Germany

[@juuhaa1]

Android is the best on the phone.

[@dparani]

I was deciding whether to wait for the 2022 CX60 Recharge because of the new infotainment system, but because of the bugs and quirkiness of the Android system, I’m going to stick to the Sensus system found in the 2021 CX60 model. I’ll be paying a lot of money for this car and having a buggy system would annoy the crap out of me. Thanks for the review and the comparison of the two systems.

[@norishooor]

Good point ! Way better the non Android system !

[@laurenwilliams777]

The 2023a will have a new google based one

[@volvo_kristian]

That's correct. From MY23 it will also include S60, V60 and XC90. So then every new Volvo has time Android. Sadly

[@Locopalito]

There is an eq on the android as well

[@volvo_kristian]

Sadly not. On the Android you can only adjust the treble, bass and subwoofer. There's no EQ. Yet. I have shown this in my Android video here on KZbin.

[@Locopalito]

@@volvo_kristian I found it today in the dealership in Finland.

[@volvo_kristian]

@@Locopalito Are you on Instagram and can send me a picture of that? Tested a MY22 V90 CC back in July and that didn't have it. Also talked to a bunch of other Android Volvo owners that also doesn't have EQ with the Bowers stereo.

[@Locopalito]

@@volvo_kristian I take pics next time i go to Bilia

[@volvo_kristian]

@@Locopalito Sweet 👍