Just bought an XC 90 with premium sound. Does anyone know a way to hardwire an iPod to it? The dealer said they had an iPod kit that I could buy for $650!! Radio Shack sells a cable for under $10.00 with two RCA plugs (on the radio side) reducing to the single iPod plug. Does the premium radio have RCA plugs in the back of it? Is it difficult to access the back of the radio? Please don't suggest the wireless FM solution for the iPod since the sound quality with this arrangement is not acceptable. Thank you!

 

Sorry, not really--no.

Here are your options:

1. Remove the stock (factory) radio altogether and replace it with an aftermarket that has Aux inputs
2. Upgrade to the DVD entertainment system and then hack in your iPod (but then it only works out of the back speakers--not like normal sound)
3. Disable your stock (factory) radio and purchase an amp and plug your iPod directly into the amp (a bit kludgy, but it works)
4. Purchase Volvo's FM transmitter (allegedly sounds pretty good)
5. Purchase an aftermarket FM transmitter like the Monster iCarPlay (good) or the Griffin iTrip (bad)
6. If you have one of the models that has onboard cassette, get a cassette adapter.
7. Listen to CD's
8. Get a different car

I think I covered all possibilities--I have done a lot of research on this. Sorry the news isn't better.

S.

 

Volvo now has a iPod adapter cable.