I ’ve been driving aChevrolet Equinox 2025 SUVrental car for the preceding workweek , and it ’s reminded me exactly what my next motorcar needs . It runs Android Automotive , which I ’ve already decided is a requirement in my next machine , but the more convenient feature is arguably how Chevrolet has approached itsCarPlayand Android Auto integration .
CarPlay and Android Auto offer immense welfare and near no pitfalls to drivers . They ’re designed to bring your earphone and its apps into your car , and make it easy to access up - to - appointment maps and traffic data without relying on often - archaic solutions implemented by your carmaker .
Yet , these two platform have a few key pitfalls , and Chevrolet has consider an approach that only a few other auto manufacturer have take to solve them . My next railcar must have this CarPlay and Android Auto feature of speech , here ’s why .
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How Android Auto and CarPlay work in most cars
Most car makers borrow Apple CarPlay or Android Auto by routing the custom user interface to the railcar ’s master exhibit . This is the most logical , as it means the car ’s exhibit , usually large than anything else you may have on you , becomes the focal compass point of your drive experience . However , it also have in mind you have to look away for navigation directions .
Then there are company like Mercedes and BMW , the latter being the first to take your preferred mapping result nearer to your line of sight . Chevrolet follow this coming , but or else of your mathematical function come out in a Heads - up Display ( HUD ) , they come along in a lower-ranking show usually housed in your dashboard .
century , if not G , of machine support Android Auto and CarPlay in the center field console video display , but far , far fewer reinforcement it in the gauge display , the instrument bunch behind the guidance cycle , or the HUD . This is where it makes horse sense : after driving 500 international nautical mile , it ’s far less distracting to look down for a split moment , which you may be doing anyway to jibe your f number , than to count sideway at a giant presentation .
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The varying types of dual display CarPlay and Android Auto
Android Auto does n’t natively digest a twofold display output , so carmakers must build it themselves . This could be why so few car support this feature . While expectant display are unglamourous in the center console table , it ’s far rarified for a auto manufacturer to let in a secondary exhibit behind the guidance wheel or a Heads - up Display .
For those that do , the Android Auto and CarPlay consolidation is varied . Most offer some form of integration between that display and the mapping result you ’re using on your phone , allowing you to see upcoming spell - by - crook guidance ( usually admit distance to the turn ) , counsel , and even a miniskirt - map .
There are quite a few cars that sustain this case of integrating , array from BMW , which was the earliest , toPolestar , VW Group ( includingAudi),Mercedes , andVolvo . Not every simulation feature this character of integration , and the experience can depart wildly . However , I ’ve find the ideal two-fold - display Android Auto or CarPlay integration implementation .
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Why Chevrolet has my favorite implementation
I ’ve driven a blanket kind of cars and see a lot of unlike Android Auto and CarPlay effectuation to spot a safe one when I experience it . I ’ve driven the Chevy Equinox 2025 SUV for the past hebdomad and realized that Chevrolet has my favorite implementation for a few reasons .
One of these is that the entire instrument cluster is digital . This can be frustrating when you ’re used to fiddle with buttons to exchange slip information or what ’s displayed on a partial display , but it means that the car maker can build a far more immersive experience .
The digital approach means that CarPlay and Android Auto mapping can be route to take over almost the integral display . Instead of a small window that prove twist - by - turn guidance , this gives you the whole map on this presentation and mean you mostly do n’t need to turn your brain to the main display . Except , there ’s one job : this second display wo n’t show you things like ETA or length .
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The more interesting part is that there are several implementations . As you press a button on the steering rack to bike through different displays , you could choose from the entire map horizon or a small window to the side with number - by - turn guidance . When sail , I find it ’s almost always easier to employ the full function , but the small window is utilitarian to keep an eye on the gauges .
However , the most interesting part is how Chevrolet has incorporated function solution into this display . As Android Automotive power the car , you get Google Maps with bouncy traffic natively integrated into the car ’s OS . Then you also have whichever mapping solution you use on your phone . Interestingly , Chevrolet has ensured you could take either , as it display both in a full - projection screen map view as you cycle through the different screens .
Overall , this is my favorite implementation of a dual - covert showing with CarPlay or Android Auto so far , and I go for other carmakers follow suit .
