How Volvo’s New Typeface, Centum, Aims to Enhance Driving Safety

Daily Car

14/01/2026

Q: What is the significance of Volvo introducing a new typeface, Centum, in its vehicles?

Volvo’s introduction of the Centum typeface marks a key effort towards improving safety and user experience within its cars. As car interiors become more reliant on digital displays and fewer physical buttons, the clarity and ease with which drivers can read information has become more important. Volvo, known for its commitment to safety, developed Centum in collaboration with Dalton Maag, a design studio. The specific design of Centum aims to make reading vehicle information faster and reduce distractions while driving, supporting Volvo’s broader mission to enhance road safety.

Q: What are the core features and technical highlights of the Centum typeface?

Every aspect of Centum is intentionally crafted for visibility and simplicity. The shape of each letter, the space between them, and the overall layout are optimized to ensure quick recognition and to minimize visual clutter. Centum supports over 800 languages, making it practical for Volvo’s international customers. The typeface is specifically tailored for digital screens inside the car, especially on the infotainment and instrument displays, where quick recognition of information is critical to minimizing time spent looking away from the road.

Q: How does Centum compare to display systems in other similar vehicles?

Compared to competitors such as Tesla, Cadillac, and Audi, which also emphasize modern digital interiors, Volvo differentiates itself by focusing on the clarity of visual typography rather than just screen size, graphics, or interactivity. While other brands have smooth and responsive screens, Volvo leverages the scientifically designed Centum font to minimize cognitive load. Although there is no industry-wide data verifying that fonts alone reduce accidents, clear and readable displays are generally understood to help drivers manage vehicle settings with fewer distractions.

Q: In what ways does Centum improve driver practicality and what are its limitations?

Centum addresses a key concern for drivers: the need to access information quickly while staying focused on the road. Difficult-to-read fonts can increase the time required to adjust settings like climate control, which can detract from safety. With Centum, these interactions can become more intuitive. However, practical improvements will depend on how well the entire interface is designed, not just the font. As infotainment screens become standard, this font can complement features designed to keep the driver’s attention where it belongs—on the road. Ultimately, the impact of Centum will become clearer through user feedback once it launches in the upcoming Volvo EX60, which will also lead Volvo’s fleet with an expected range of up to 400 miles on a single charge, surpassing some of its electric SUV rivals.

Q: Will Centum be limited to just the EX60 model?

Volvo has announced that Centum will roll out across new and refreshed models beyond the EX60. The commitment to a unified, safety-oriented typeface signals Volvo’s ongoing investment in subtle, yet effective safety improvements that accompany their advanced technologies, with the goal of making every detail—from hardware to typography—serve the driver’s needs.

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