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What is Android Auto?

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·6 min read
What is Android Auto?



Even if you don’t live in one of the 26 states (and Washington D.C.) that prohibit you from using your cellphone while driving, it’s still just a bad idea. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,522 people died in distracted driving incidents in 2021. A fair chunk of those are likely the result of people taking their eyes off the road to read their texts. Thankfully, if you’ve got an Android smartphone, you’ve got a better and safer way to interact with your phone in the car. It’s called Android Auto, and it helps you keep your eyes on the road by reading your texts for you, among many, many other things.

What exactly does Android Auto do?

Android Auto is a system created by Google that allows you to mirror apps from your Android Phone to your vehicle’s infotainment system, allowing for hands-free use. It also integrates Google Assistant as well as many other Google apps like Google Maps, Google Play Music, YouTube Music, and third-party apps like Spotify, WhatsApp, Discord and Skype. It even supports Apple Music. Google keeps a list of Android Auto-compatible apps here.

How to connect Android Auto in my car?

Android Auto can be connected to your vehicle in two ways. The first is with a USB cable. This has the benefit of letting you charge your phone while you drive. Second, you can connect your phone wirelessly via Bluetooth, which has been technically supported since 2018, but wasn’t widely available until later. Now, the majority of vehicles and phones support wireless connectivity.

Which cars are compatible with Android Auto?

Like Android’s rival Apple and its CarPlay phone integration, the list of vehicles that support Android Auto is always growing, particularly as more manufacturers begin using the Android Automotive operating system for their vehicle infotainment systems. Google’s Android Auto website keeps a comprehensive list of vehicles and stereos that support the system, making it super easy to know if you can get in on the fun, particularly if you have a car that’s not brand new.

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If you want to know which new cars in 2023 come with Android Auto, we can help you out with a list.

  • Acura: Integra, MDX, RDX

  • Alfa Romeo: Tonale

  • Audi: A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, E-Tron, E-Tron GT, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8

  • BMW: 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, iX, i4, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, Z4

  • Buick: Enclave, Encore GX, Envision

  • Cadillac: CT4, CT5, Escalade, Lyriq, XT4, XT5, XT6

  • Chevrolet: Blazer, Bolt EV, Bolt EUV, Camaro, Colorado, Corvette, Equinox, Malibu, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, Trailblazer, Traverse

  • Chrysler: Pacifica, 300

  • Dodge: Durango, Hornet

  • Ford: Bronco, Edge, Escape, Expedition, F-150, F-250, F-350, Mustang Mach-E

  • GMC: Acadia, Canyon, Hummer EV, Sierra, Terrain, Yukon

  • Honda: Accord, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Pilot

  • Hyundai: Elantra, Kona, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Sonata, Tucson, Venue

  • Infiniti: Q50, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80

  • Jaguar: E-Pace, F-Pace, F-Type, I-Pace, XF

  • Jeep: Compass, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer

  • Kia: Carnival, Forte, K5, Niro, Rio, Seltos, Sorento

  • Lexus: ES, GX, IS, LS, LX, NX, RX, RZ, TX, UX

  • Lincoln: Corsair, Navigator, Nautilus

  • Maserati Ghibli, Levante, Quattroporte

  • Mazda: CX-50, CX-90, Mazda3, MX-5 Miata

  • Mercedes-Benz: C-Class, EQB-Class, EQE-Class, EQS-Class, GLB, GLC, GLE, S-Class

  • Nissan: Ariya, Frontier, Titan

  • Porsche: 911, Cayenne, Panamera, Taycan

  • Ram: 1500, 2500, 3500, ProMaster

  • Toyota: BZ4X, Corolla, Crown, Grand Highlander, Highlander, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tundra, Venza

  • Volkswagen: Arteon, Atlas, Golf, ID.4, Jetta, Taos, Tiguan

Why is Android Auto so useful?

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