10 Cars with Android Auto Smartphone Integration for Wise Shoppers

2016 Chevrolet Malibu wht ・ Photo by General Motors

Cars with Android Auto may not get the same kind of buzz as those with Apple CarPlay, yet they both provide much the same sort of advanced smartphone integration that, essentially, puts owners’ homescreens front and center on the vehicles’ infotainment displays. It’s a simple, affordable way to go online while on the road, allowing owners to access the wide range of apps and service they’re used to using in their daily lives. The range of vehicles offering the service is narrower, however, although the pioneers presented here will no doubt be joined by more entries as time goes on.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

The Bowtie brand continues to bring new technologies to the mainstream with the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, which is just one of the current Chevy cars with Android Auto among its multimedia resources. And though it’s not standard on the entry model, it is part of the package with the Malibu LS that starts at a mere $23,120. At that price point, the car’s MyLink infotainment system features not just the Android tech, but also Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, a rearview camera, and Bluetooth for both hands-free calling and audio streaming; OnStar’s mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and 4G LTE connectivity is standard on all Malibus, while the more premium editions offer an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless phone chargers and rear-seat USB ports. Customers also should remember that the 2016 Malibu represents an all-new generation for the popular midsize sedan, showcasing larger dimensions, lower curb weights and a standard turbocharged engine.

2017 Buick LaCrosse

Although it doesn’t seem like the Tri-shield brand will try to produce the well-received Avenir concept anytime soon, those impressed by the sleek good looks of that car—introduced at last year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit—should take a gander at the 2017 Buick LaCrosse that will launch in dealerships this summer. Offering the Buick’s first dual-clutch all-wheel-drive system and a new 305-horsepower engine, the redesigned LaCrosse adopts many of the Avenir’s styling cues to create what will become the new “face” of the brand. The production car’s next-gen makeover includes the next wave of infotainment technologies, too. As a result, the big Buick joins our list of cars with Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with a little help from its available IntelliLink multimedia system, an 8-inch touchscreen, OnStar 4G LTE service, mobile Wi-Fi functionality, wireless phone charging and premium Bose audio.

Photo by Rex Torres

2016 Cadillac CTS

For the third time since it was redesigned three years ago, Cadillac’s midsize sport sedan has been chosen as one of the “10 Best” vehicles of the year by the crew at Car and Driver. Yet even as the 2016 Cadillac CTS keeps finding new ways to impress the critics—and its owners—with its incredible driving dynamics, the brand also has once again cued up enhancements for its CUE infotainment hub. An obvious highlight: the latest smartphone-integration technology, so that that award-winning CTS model, the V-Sport, stands out as one of the most fun-to-drive cars with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Indeed, with a twin-turbo V6 that pours out 420 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque, the CTS V-Sport can sprint from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and then keep running up to a top speed of 172 mph. (The CTS-V, also with Android Auto, goes 3.7/200 in those measures.)

Photo by Cadillac

2016 Hyundai Sonata

Back before Hyundai decided to debut a dedicated luxury division for the new model year, the brand had built its success on serving up high-value vehicles for more mainstream customers, like those shopping in the midsize sedan segment. Well, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata may be marking a welcome return to that strategy, since it’s among the few cars with Android Auto to supply that technology as standard equipment. More specifically, the Sonata SE, with an MSRP of $21,750, provides smartphone integration for Android through its standard infotainment system, which additionally delivers a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics, HD Radio, a “smart” USB port and six audio speakers. Note: To be clear here, the Sonata does not yet support Apple CarPlay, but it does serve up available infotainment updates such as navigation, an 8-inch touchscreen, and two premium sound systems, including an Infinity setup with nine speakers and 400 watts of power.

Photo by Hyundai

2016 Kia Optima

Meanwhile, the 2016 Kia Optima—a corporate cousin to the Hyundai Sonata—was re-engineered to furnish more refinement and sophistication to the midsize segment, buoyed by noticeable reductions in noise, vibration and harshness. Of course, because that effort also encompassed improvements to the car’s chassis and body, stiffening both, drivers enjoy sharper dynamics as well. Further driving benefits come from a pair of available turbocharged engines, one of which is a new-for-2016 1.6-liter unit that blends better performance than the base engine with higher fuel-economy grades than the premium powerplant. Moreover, the brand’s typically dramatic design language also is on display both inside and out, as are a number of Kia firsts. For example, the Optima will be the first of the Kia cars with Android Auto, the first to leverage a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the first to feature bi-xenon HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Lamps.

2016 Volkswagen Beetle

VW is another brand that’s going all-in with smartphone integration, betting on its popularity by supplying it throughout the lineup, even on the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle. But be aware that VW entries like the Bug go beyond most cars with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to also deliver MirrorLink compatibility, from a leading third-party connectivity company that’s particularly prominent on the global scene. The Beetle additionally boasts a relatively affordable MSRP: In its 1.8T SE trim, the Beetle bundles smartphone integration, a 6.33-inch touchscreen, a rear-vision camera, and VW’s Car-Net App-Connect service for $21,350. A final Bug bonus is found in the convertible models, as those cars combine the same technologies with the inimitable excitement of an open-air driving experience—and an available sound system that bolsters 400 watts of power with all of the audio expertise you’d expect from the great ears behind Fender guitars.

2017 Audi A4

As a member of the Volkswagen Group, Audi is likewise looking to offer more cars with Android Auto, and the all-new 2017 Audi A4 is leading the way. In fact, it takes a leading-edge approach to technology in a lot of different areas. Audi smartphone integration, also supporting Apple CarPlay, is standard with the car’s new infotainment system, and that setup serves up 4G LTE connectivity, too, along with 7- and 8.3-inch MMI screens and an optional “all-in-touch” haptic control interface. There’s also more audio bang for your buck, courtesy of a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 19 speakers, 755 watts of power and a 16-channel Class D amp. But the coolest tech cues are available with the Audi “virtual cockpit” instrument display, complete with a 12.3-inch screen that’s powered by NVIDIA quad-core processing and provides both Google Map data and typical vehicle-system info.

2016 Honda Civic

The reigning North American Car of the Year, the redesigned 2016 Honda Civic, took that crown as one of the first compact cars with Android Auto. It’s wrapped into the car’s new display-audio infotainment system, along with Apple CarPlay and a 7-inch touchscreen, and it’s far from being the only “first” for the new Civic. The award-winning Civic also supplies the nameplate’s first turbocharged engine, a peppy 1.5-liter unit with specs that include 174 horsepower, 162 lb.-ft. of torque and an EPA high point of 42 mpg. Also, from a comfort standpoint, the car is the first Civic to deliver dual-zone automatic climate control, heated seat backs for the front, heated seat cushions for the rear and a remote engine start feature. Further, Honda has promised the new-generation Civic will be available in the high-performance “Type R” trim for the first time ever in the United States.

Photo by Honda

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Because the technology is still relatively new—and because some brands don’t want third parties to access their data—there are surprisingly few luxury cars with Android Auto. However, that is beginning to change, thanks to premium sedans like the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Touting top technologies across the board, the new E-Class is especially impressive in the cabin, where an available dual-screen display, comprising two adjacent 12.3-inch screens that share the same glass cover, delivers virtual instrumentation and infotainment resources while also serving as a decidedly futuristic design element—which can be further fine-tuned with three driver-selectable themes. Naturally, those just-mentioned infotainment features include smartphone integration and Mercedes’ COMAND Online services, as well as some serious sound technologies: The “Frontbass” system uses spaces in the body structure of the car to act as resonance chambers, boosting the bass considerably, and the optional Burmeister setup brings 3D surround sound backed by four roof speakers.

2017 Mitsubishi Mirage

Pricing has yet to be set for the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage, but it will certainly be among the least expensive cars with Android Auto when it goes on sale this spring. After all, the current Mirage opens at just $12,995, although that is for the 2015 model—Mitsubishi skipped the 2016 model year for the car, perhaps spending the time in developing the many upgrades offered for the 2017 version. But drivers will reap the rewards whatever the reason, since the Mirage not only supplies smartphone integration, but also an available Rockford-Fosgate audio system with EcoPunch technology for high-efficiency hi-fi sound. Mitsubishi designers also freshened the car’s appearance, restyling the hood, grille, bumpers, wheels, lights and more, with engineers pitching in with suspension and braking tuneups for a more refined driving experience. There’s even a small uptick in output, to 78 horsepower (with an unchanged 74 lb.-ft. of torque).

Photo by Mitsubishi Motors North America