2016 Volvo XC90 Sensus Wins Kelley Blue Book AutoTech Award +VIDEO

2016 Volvo XC90 Sensus System Wins Inaugural Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award for Outstanding Feature Content, Response Time, Ease-of-Use and Value

IRVINE, Calif., January 5, 2016 – Whether you’re an early-adopter or a late-comer to the tech world, in-vehicle infotainment certainly will play a pivotal role in your next new vehicle purchase. While today’s new cars offer a wide variety of styles, features and creature comforts, infotainment has become a key differentiator among automakers. To help determine this year’s best available system, Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry, today announces its inaugural Best Auto Tech Award winner, the Sensus system in the 2016 Volvo XC90.

“With a keen focus on determining excellence in connected-car technology, we tested six touchscreen infotainment platforms deemed worthy of consideration for the first Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “One console in particular, the 2016 Volvo XC90 and its Sensus technology, was especially notable for its ability to enhance driving pleasure while also fostering safety, and it stood above the rest when it came to feature content, response times, ease-of-use and value.”

In order for an infotainment system to be eligible for the Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award, it had to come fitted with two essential features: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Each system was then tested by Kelley Blue Book experts over the course of two weeks in both static and normal driving conditions. Judging criteria included, but was not limited to, native and off-board voice recognition quality, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and performance, embedded navigation accuracy, response times, menu clarity, and, most of all, intuitive operation from behind the wheel.

2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award: Winner

Sensus, 2016 Volvo XC90

2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award: Finalists

CUE, 2016 Cadillac CTS

HondaLink, 2016 Honda Accord

MIB II, 2016 Volkswagen Passat

MyLink, 2016 Chevrolet Spark

UVO, 2016 Kia Optima

The heart of the Sensus system featured in the 2016 Volvo XC90 is a tablet-style, vertically oriented, nine-inch infrared display powered by Nokia's HERE Auto Services architecture. Those already familiar with the pinch and swipe interactivity of a smartphone will feel right at home with Sensus. The advanced voice recognition engine allows you to verbally input a navigation address while on the go, as well as adjust the climate.

“Given the display’s inclination to collect finger prints, we appreciated the everyday usability of the on-board voice command system in this year’s award winner,” said Micah Muzio, managing editor of video for Kelley Blue Book. “Even better, the Sensus system is issued as standard fare in the 2016 Volvo XC90. This technology was deemed to be a cut above the rest in our testing, earning it the first-ever Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award.”

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