I know many consider Android Auto to be essential when buying a car—but as for me, I rarely use it.The way I see it, my car's infotainment system is already a better experience.Bluetooth pairing happens automatically and reliably Why fuss with awkward USB cables or unreliable wireless How we all feel about Android Auto varies depending on the car we drive.
Android Auto is going to feel like a big step up from a car that has a touchscreen but lacks built-in navigation.In that situation, I'd probably use it all the time.Available USB ports and wireless connections also play a large role.
I drive a 2022 Kia Niro EV EX Premium with a 10-inch touchscreen.My car has wired Android Auto but not wireless.If I want to use Android Auto, I need to reach for a cable every time I get in the car.
This would be fine if it were the same cable that I use to charge my phone, but of the various USB ports I have access to, Android Auto only recognizes one whose location is less than ideal.Wireless Android Auto solves this problem, but only when it's reliable.Some cars regularly lose signal.
Cars like mine can connect wirelessly if I purchase an adapter, but wireless Android Auto adapters are hit or miss as well.AAWireless TWO+ Dongle Type Android Auto & Apple Carplay adapter What's Included Adapter, USB-C to USB-A cable Easily add wireless Android Auto or CarPlay to your vehicle with this capable dongle that works with both platforms. $65 at AAWireless Expand Collapse In contrast, my car connects to my phone via Bluetooth mere moments after I open the door.If I start the car remotely, it may connect even sooner.
It's rare that this connection ever drops.My car's built-in maps get me where I need to go Kia's navigation integrates with my dashboard in a way Google Maps can't Close I've long heard of Google Maps as reason enough to use Android Auto.I get it.
Google provides up-to-date maps without charging any money.Thing is, I'm no fan of Google Maps.I'm not saying this because I dislike Google's extensive tracking (though I do).
Rather, I don't like the experience of using Google Maps.The app too regularly changes the route I've selected because it's detected a "better" one.It also regularly notifies me of things I don't need to know, like whether a cop is nearby.
I don't drive fast enough to care, even though some of my colleagues might.The built-in navigation system in my Kia Niro EV is consistently reliable.It's not particularly attractive, but it gets me where I need to go, it does a better job of highlighting which lane I need to be in, and it also integrates with the dash above my steering wheel, alerting me to turns without my needing to look toward the center console.
Plus, I can access it using physical buttons.Kia's app can send charging station locations directly to my car This is a big help for planning EV road trips My Kia is all-electric, so as a homeowner with a charger at home, that means I rarely have to think about fueling my car.But when the time comes to go on a lengthy road trip to another state, I need to plan out my charging stations ahead of time.
It's easy to look for chargers in the Kia Connect app, which can forward a station's location directly to my car's infotainment system.On these trips, Google Maps and Android Auto actually get in the way.Google does a poor job of telling me where stations are, and locating them via Android Auto is slower than using my phone.
Plus, when I navigate via my car's built-in navigation software, it automatically adjusts the estimated range on my dashboard based on the speed and topography of the drive.It will also tell me whether I can successfully make the trip on my current state of charge.This is information I care about while driving far more than a handful of on-screen apps.
Related Why a simple USB cable is still better than wireless Android Auto Wireless mode is convenient, but plugging in your phone might still be worth the hassle.Posts 61 By Arol Wright Navigating music and podcast apps in Android Auto is frustrating I still tend to reach for my phone instead Close I don't use Spotify, YouTube Music, or any of the streaming apps that come preinstalled on many phones.I prefer to purchase MP3s and use niche local music players like Auxio or Symphony.
When an app like this does have Android Auto support, it's generally a paired down version, since the idea is to discourage you from browsing albums while driving.Unfortunately, the end result is I instead reach for my phone to select the album I want.Subscribe to the newsletter for clearer car infotainment guidance Looking for smarter choices around Android Auto, built-in nav, and EV charging? Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper coverage of car infotainment, side-by-side comparisons, real-world navigation workflows, and practical EV routing insights.
Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can unsubscribe anytime.My car's built-in infotainment system limits what I can do while driving, but selecting music isn't one of those things.
I particularly appreciate the option to keep my songs on a USB drive plugged into my car at all times.I can quickly select the album I want in a way that ends up being safer than when I use Android Auto.My experience with podcasts is similar.
I use AntennaPod, but I consistently find it easier to just queue up the podcasts I want to listen to on my phone ahead of time than try to use the Android Auto version.The only major benefit I miss when I'm not using Android Auto is the ability to switch between music and podcasts without having to reach for my phone, since Bluetooth controls can only interact with whatever is currently playing.It's all about the data Much of what I prefer about my car's built-in infotainment has to do with the fact that Android Auto doesn't have access to my car's deeper systems.
Android Auto would be better if this weren't the case, but I get why car manufacturers would be hesitant to give another company that degree of control over their cars.I also, personally, don't want Google having access to the detailed travel data that modern cars record.So at the end of the day, I buy a car whose infotainment system I like, and I stick with using that over Android Auto more often than not.
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