Survey: Access to Android Auto remains out of reach for many

Android Auto has become something of an essential digital tool for me. It’s a comfort to know that whenever I hop into my car and head to my next destination, I can answer a phone call, navigate to a restaurant I’ve never been to, or control the playlist and streaming service I’m using, all without ever touching my phone.

Since I got my car, I’ve perhaps taken for granted a feature I assumed most cars on the road also have access to. However, a new reader survey might suggest otherwise.

Just under 2,000 readers responded to our recent poll asking if their car supports Android Auto, and remarkably, 57.2% of respondents’ rides are not capable of running Google’s in-car experience.

It’s worth noting that this doesn’t mean these cars are completely incapable of harboring an Android Auto-like experience. My colleague Dhruv highlighted how an old Android phone or tablet can be repurposed into an Android Auto dashboard kit using a nifty open source tool. More professional solutions also exist for those who don’t fancy DIY projects.

This leaves 35.8% of respondents with Android Auto-capable cars. Interestingly, an additional 7% of respondents drive vehicles that support the system, but they choose not to use it. I can’t quite wrap my head around the motives of this portion of the vote, so if you choose not to use Android Auto, be sure to drop a comment below explaining your reasons.

Do you see Android Auto as an essential tool? Does your car support it? If not, what car do you drive? How do you navigate, place, and receive calls, or adjust media in your car without it? Let’s discuss in the comments below.