Android Auto Coming to Some Lexus Vehicles for 2020 Model Year
Android enthusiasts will finally get the integration they deserve, but the roll out won’t be coming to every model just yet.
Lexus can proudly declare itself to be one of the world’s best luxury brands. The division’s unbeatable quality still confounds rival automakers. But there is one glaring weak spot in the Lexus lineup: it’s infotainment system. Lexus stalled on updating its systems to allow Apple CarPlay several years ago, but they eventually caved.
Unfortunately, Lexus played the same game with Android Auto. 9to5Google reports that the luxury division is changing its tune and will offer Android Auto on select 2020 models. This is no doubt good news for prospective Lexus owners who want the best technology available to them.
Smartphones radically altered how drivers interact with their vehicles. Automakers started to introduce touch screen infotainment systems en masse about ten years ago, but cell phones advanced quickly, and for a short while their rapid evolution outpaced what was available in many cars. Fortunately, that era seems to be over, but not every automaker embraced full cell phone integration. As The Verge noted back in February, Toyota famously resisted letting third party companies take control of their infotainment system. And of course that affected Lexus models too. Toyota seemed to be betting on adopting Ford’s SmartDeviceLink into their own proprietary system, which would allow apps to mirror themselves onto the car’s screen. That strategy ignored the increasing demand for full smartphone integration. And it likely meant that Android owners passed over Toyota and Lexus vehicles for other vehicles.
Lexus will offer Android Auto in the RX, RC, and UX for the 2020 model year. The ES and NX will also offer Android compatibility, but only on select trims. Early 2020 builds of those models will still lack the necessary software, so if you’re interested in a new ES and NX with Android Auto, make sure you buy one that’s built after October 2019. Otherwise, it would be a good idea to check with the dealer to see if Android Auto capability can be retroactively installed.
And it’s important to note that Lexus models lacking full Android Auto support still boast the technology to interface with phones that run on Google’s operating system. Lexus Enform 2.0 boasts native integration for apps like iHeartRadio, NPR One, and Alexa. Additionally, any modern Lexus is already equipped to handle Bluetooth phone calls and audio streaming from Android phones. This latest announcement only applies to the individuals who want everything they do on their phone to appear on their car’s infotainment screen. In any event, it’s great that Lexus finally embraced Android Auto.
Photos: Lexus
