By now, you’ve likely heard of Apple CarPlay, the in-car interface that enables drivers to directly connect their iPhones allowing integration with calls, texts, music and, of course, Siri. (See Should your new car have Apple Car Play?)

“But I don’t have an iPhone!” you shout at your computer screen. “What about me?”

Never fear my fellow Google lover, for Android Auto is here and rapidly gaining traction.

If your new car has it (or will have it soon via software update), you can expect to see your Google Cards (like appointments and reminders), send and receive texts with your voice, and control apps like Pandora, Spotify, I Heart Radio and MLB At Bat verbally or via your car’s touchscreen.

To access Android Auto, simply plug your compatible smartphone running Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher into your car’s USB port. Once you’ve downloaded the Android Auto application from the Play Store and grant permissions, you’re ready to go!

With Android Auto you also receive the exclusive added benefit of Google Maps and its outstanding interface with traffic-based routing abilities.

Wondering about Waze and its beloved crowdsourced frenetic rerouting? It’s now supported for use with Android Auto as well.

What apps and functions does Android Auto support?

The Android Auto environment is rapidly expanding and a section of the Google Play store is dedicated to compatible applications.

  • Phone: Android Auto will make and receive calls on screen and using Google Now, its Siri counterpart
  • Texting: Drivers can use Google Now to send texts and have incoming messages read out loud
  • Maps: Google Now controls Google Maps with commands such as, “Can you navigate me to AT&T Park?”
  • Music/Radio: The following music and audio apps are supported:
    • Google Play Music
    • Amazon Music
    • iHeartRadio
    • LibriVox Audio Books
    • MLB AtBat
    • NPR One
    • Pandora
    • Pocket Casts, Player FM, BeyondPod, DoggCatcher, audioBoom  (Podcasts
    • Spotify
    • Stitcher
    • TuneIn Radio
    • WhatsApp, Skype, Hangouts, Text Me, textPlus, Nextplus, EvolveSMS, Talkray, Ki
Here are some examples of what you can say:

“Is it going to rain tonight?” or “What’s the weather like tonight in Sausalito?”

“What time is the Warriors game tonight?”

“Can you set a reminder for me to call my doctor at 11:00am?”

If you have travel plans and the correct settings active, you can even ask about future flights or hotel plans such as, “When is my flight to San Diego?”

Apps designed by the car’s manufacturer will also be supported as they are developed and released.

What if I don’t see my favorite app in the list above?

Don’t worry! This isn’t even a complete list of all the apps that Android Auto supports. Plus with Google’s open-source platform, new apps are being developed as we speak. Also consider that just because you can’t control your favorite app through your car’s screen, you can still play them wirelessly through your car’s streaming Bluetooth audio or via USB and auxiliary audio jack.

Does Android Auto include WiFi?

No. Android Auto uses the phone’s data plan to connect to the internet or the vehicle’s own WiFi which is only available on select models. The most widespread availability of wireless internet can currently be found in most GM (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC) and Audi vehicles, although other car models are beginning to offer it as well. (See Should you opt for a WiFi hotspot in your new car?)

Which vehicles offer Android Auto?

As of the time of writing, Android Auto is offered as a standard or optional feature on these vehicles:

Audi

Audi offers Android Auto in the Q5, SQ5, Q7, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, R8, and TT

Acura

Acura offers Android Auto on the NSX

BMW

BMW has announced that Android Auto will be available in the future, but has yet to release it

Buick

Buick offers Android Auto in the  Regal, LaCrosse, Envision and Encore

Cadillac

Cadillac offers Android Auto in the ATS, CTS, XTS, ELR, Escalade, XT5, and CT6

Chevrolet

Android Auto is available on the Chevrolet Spark, Sonic, Bolt, Camaro, Colorado, Corvette, Cruze, Equinox, Impala, Malibu, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer, Traverse, Trax, and Volt

Chrysler

Chrysler now offers Android Auto in the 300 and the Pacifica

Dodge

Dodge now offers Android Auto in the Charger, Challenger, and Durango

FIAT

Android Auto is available on the FIAT 500 and 500L

Ford

Ford offers Android Auto on the 2017 Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Mustang, C-Max, Escape, Edge, Explorer, Expedition, Flex, F-150, Transit Connect, and Super Duty

Genesis

Hyundai’s new luxury brand offers Android Auto on its G80

GMC

GMC offers Android Auto on the Canyon, Acadia, Sierra and Yukon models

Honda

Android Auto is available on the 2017 Accord, Ridgeline, Pilot, CR-V, Clarity Fuel Cell, and Civic.

Hyundai

Hyundai offers Android Auto on the Azera, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Elantra, and Ioniq

Infiniti

Infiniti has not yet announced when Android Auto will be available.

Jeep

Android Auto is offered on the Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler

Kia

Kia plans offers Android Auto in the Cadenza, Sorento, Forte, Forte5, Niro, Optima, Sedona, Soul, Sportage, Rio, and K900

Land Rover

Land Rover has not yet announced if or when Android Auto will be available.

Lexus

Toyota has indicated that it will not offer either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in any of its Toyota or Lexus vehicles for the foreseeable future.

Lincoln

Lincoln offers Android Auto on its Continental, MKC, MKX, MKZ, and Navigator models.

Maserati

Maserati offers Android Auto on its Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte models.

Mazda

Mazda has not yet announced when Android Auto will be available.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes offers Android Auto in the B-Class, C-Class. CLA-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, GLC Class, S-Class and SLC-Class.

MINI

MINI has not yet announced when Android Auto will be available, but it likely will be available at some point.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi offers Android Auto on the Mirage, Mirage G4, Outlander, and Outlander Sport models

Nissan

Nissan has not yet announced when Android Auto will be available

Porsche

Porsche has not yet announced when Android Auto will be available

RAM

Android Auto is available onthe RAM 1500, 2500, 3500 and Chassis Cab

Subaru

Subaru offers Android Auto on the BRZ, Impreza, and Legacy Outback

Toyota

Toyota has indicated that it will not offer either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in any of its Toyota or Lexus vehicles for the foreseeable future.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen offers Android Auto on the Atlas, Beetle, CC, Golf, Golf GTI, Golf Sportwagen, Golf Alltrack, Golf R, e-Golf, Jetta, Passat, and Tiguan

Volvo

Volvo offers Android Auto in the XC60, XC90, S90, V90, and V90 Cross Country models.

Whether or not you want Android Auto in your new vehicle, Cartelligent can help you get a great deal on exactly what you want. Call our team of car-buying experts at 888-427-4270 or get started today.