Volvo has always prioritized safety. They were pioneers in developing the three-point seatbelt and continue to innovate in this area. Their latest initiative focuses on improving in-car readability—not through fancy technology, but by designing a new typeface.
Introducing Volvo Centum, a font created to help drivers read more easily while on the road. In a world where cars have more screens than ever, Volvo aims to make information clear and distraction-free. This typeface, a nod to the company’s centenary in 2027, comes from a partnership with the typeface studio Dalton Maag. Volvo plans to unveil it in the new EX60 due in early 2026.
Volvo emphasizes that every aspect of the font is designed for optimal readability. “Every design choice—form, weight, proportion—is made to help people read faster and stay focused,” explains Pablo Bosch, Font Developer at Dalton Maag. Research backs this up: a recent AAA study found that drivers spend an average of 18 to 40 seconds staring at the center touchscreen. At just 25 miles per hour, that’s quite a distance. A clearer font could help reduce this time.
While this focus on readability is important, many drivers express frustration with touchscreen-only control systems. A recent trend in auto design has seen brands like Hyundai and Volkswagen reintegrating physical buttons after recognizing the limits of touch interfaces. Volvo’s new EX60 still relies heavily on screens, which some find cumbersome. Simple tasks, like adjusting climate settings, can take longer than necessary.
Yet, there’s hope: in October, Volvo hinted at potentially restoring traditional key fob systems in place of their current key card system. This could suggest that more user-friendly designs, including physical buttons, might be on the horizon.
For now, Volvo’s push for safer in-car typography shows they are trying to lead not just in vehicle safety, but also in making the driving experience less distracting and more intuitive.
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