Google has updated its Android Auto website to indicate that a slew of new vehicles from Alfa Romeo, Nissan and Volvo now have Android Auto support here. So that you can plug in your phone and use Android Auto while you are driving. This is a great feature to have for most people, seeing as the included infotainment options are pretty poor.
New vehicles with Android Auto for Alfa Romeo include the 2018 and later Giulia and Stelvio, and the 2017 and later Giulietta and MiTo. For Nissan, it includes the 2018 and later Kicks, and is compatible with the MM518D-L and MM518D-W navigation systems on its existing vehicles. Finally, for Volvo, it’s the 2018 and later XC40 and the 2019 and later S60 and V60 models. As an added bonus, the Android Auto site also says that Dacia vehicles will also be getting Android Auto in the near future, but it does not mention which vehicles will get the support, nor when it’ll happen. That’s pretty common for “future support’ with Android Auto, as the models being supported is up to the car maker and not Google.
None of these vehicles support wireless Android Auto, as far as we know. Which isn’t a surprise, considering the fact that wireless Android Auto needs a WiFi chip built-in (for connecting to your smartphone) and Google also needs to certify it to work. This is because it needs WiFi to connect to your smartphone and send data, as there is to much data here for transferring over Bluetooth. Which is not a surprise, and does also offer up a better option for transferring data. Android Auto is a pretty simple system. You plug in your phone and you get a similar interface to what’s on your smartphone. With Android Auto, you get the ability to navigate using Google Maps or Waze, you can play audio from your favorite apps including Google Play Music, Spotify, Audible and more. You also have the ability to make calls and send texts using voice, via Google Assistant.