Chevy EV Google Operating System Review

Jill Ciminillo does a deep dive into the new Google Operating System that ditches Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. How easy is it for an iPhone user to stay hands-free with the system?
Jill is a syndicated automotive writer, currently serving as the managing editor for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk and co-hosts two podcasts: the Consumer Guide Automotive Car Stuff Podcast and the Pickup Truck + SUV Talk Podcast.
website: www.pickuptrucktalk.com
twitter/instagram: @jillciminillo
twitter/instagram: @girlinthetrunk
tiktok: @jillciminillo

[@Steverton]

This is exactly the kind of review I was looking for to simulate what having this interface would be like. Thanks!

[@DroneUpp]

Wow! Thanks for the review. Didn't expect getting the most out of the apps, less Apple Car Play to be so cumbersome. Just purchased my Chevy Equinox RSEV yesterday and I am a bit disappointed with some of these things. Thanks much for taking the time to share your experience. I loved my Apple Car Play on my previous Chevy.

[@rafaelsermeno1952]

I really appreciate this I have not found any other video describing the OS of the RST

[@johns4920]

Not buying a Chevy. I had given the Blazer EV serious thought -- now, no chance whatsoever!!

[@DiM-cx8lk]

Thank you for the video. I have been trying my best to get used to this new system without apple CarPlay. I can get by but it's far from a good experience in many ways. CarPlay was easy, fast and Safer to use while driving.

[@todddarnell7839]

Thank you so much for making this video. People need to understand how much this messes up your infotainment system in your vehicle if you are a iPhone user. It’s totally horrible. And it’s so completely stupid. They have the same system in the gas vehicles, but it includes the CarPlay app. They have over the air upgrade on these systems. So they could literally just give you an update and you could have everything you need. I hope that one day,hopefully soon, they will finally figure out what I and others have been telling them for a year now. This is a totally horrible thing to do, and it is going to cause people like me to not buy their vehicles anymore. I am a third generation GM customer. My grandfathers only had cars from GM. My father only had GM vehicles with one exception. He bought a Ford once, and he bought it for me. And I have had almost all GM vehicles. But I will not buy a GM vehicle again until they get smarter and stop this ridiculous nonsense. Sorry GM there are around 80 percent of iPhone owners who have said that they will not buy a vehicle that doesn’t have CarPlay. It’s not on Tesla or Rivian. Why GM wants to join them and be one of only three manufacturers in the world that doesn’t have CarPlay support is crazy.

[@danscheinkman2086]

they dont care. they will make up the loss selling the data of those who buy.

[@JohnnyElihue]

Getting rid of android auto and apple carplay is anti consumer. I will never buy a vehicle without these.

[@nyogrson1]

Seriously....I have the Lyriq which has this built in and the android automotive apps are not the same as android auto...it's way worse

[@tirkentube]

Google itself is doing away with android Auto. This basically is the replacement for that. It's still android, just better than Auto in many ways. It's really just bad for iphone users. For anyone with android phones and devices already, this is a win.

[@nyogrson1]

@@tirkentube do we know if Android automotive will support all the android Auto apps?

[@nicoleault3700]

Thank you for this closer look. I have had some sleepless nights thinking about whether or not I can survive without ACP. I wish it was an ala carte feature. I’d gladly pay to add it in.

[@Tugennov]

Thanks for the informative video. Additional information I'd like to have is about the long-term costs. I tend to buy my cars new and hold onto to them for a very long time, about 15 years. Also, I believe the average age of a car currently on the road is 10-15 years old, so the vehicles are on the road for 20 - 30 years. At some point in the cars lifespan will the owner need to pay subscriptions to use all of the functions that are in the infotainment system? If so, what is the current cost of those subscriptions and how much extra would need to be paid to keep the subscriptions active over the ~25 year life of the vehicle? Thanks again!

[@autolitics]

Great detailed demonstration of setup and first time user experiences! It obviously is a big change for everyone used to the simplicity of AA/CarPlay … but I imagine that long-term owners/drivers will get accustomed to the native UI and it will work “well enough”. But there’s no question they will lose some sales for this bold decision.

[@tirkentube]

For Android auto users, this is better. For apple users, I can understand the frustration. But Android Auto is being deprecated by Google as well.

[@colorado_al]

Thank you so much for this informative video! My partner and I test drove the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV LT on Friday and we were going to buy 2 of them at $34995. I'm an Android user and my partner is an iphone user. She decided that the lack of Apple CarPlay was a deal breaker and we're only buying one Chevy EV. She's going to wait for the Kia EV3 instead. So from our pool of n=2, Chevy missed out on half of the possible sales due to their lack of CarPlay.

[@VXrxSE]

Great video, answers a lot of questions I have. I'm an Android user, Android auto - and I consider this a major downgrade and am just as disappointed with GM as any car play user - I'm sure this also means paying GM for a number of features that were previously unnecessary because they already existed with my phone.

[@jillciminillo]

@@VXrxSE yeah, even though GM will give you an eight year trial with the system, eventually you’ll have to pay subscription fees to use Google Maps without phone mirroring. That to me is bothersome.

[@reikisponge]

After 8th year, can't you get Google map/navigation via our phone 5g hotspot? If not, probably Waze is the only way then

[@jillciminillo]

@ after the eighth year, you either need to hook your phone on the dash with a magnet to use Waze through your phone, or pay a subscription fee to use Waze through the car.

[@reikisponge]

@@jillciminillo woah, that sucks! Thought the car could use other Wi-Fi Internet. That's not good. Its subscription is like 30 dollar a month if I am not mistaken.

[@jillciminillo]

@ I don’t believe they’ve announced the subscription fee yet. As they told me: eight years is really far away. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[@sagesrunner]

Does the Waze app also show up in the driver screen as Google Maps does? And will the Waze app be able to pre-condition the vehicle for charging or is this just by Google maps only?

[@jillciminillo]

No. Native google maps only.

[@sagesrunner]

Thank you for the update.

[@stephaniegail4754]

We purchased a Chevrolet blazer EV. It’s very frustrating not to be able to integrate my Apple CarPlay. I’m reconsidering the purchase.

[@keithlindamartin8202]

Great video. Unfortunately I will not be buying any vehicle without car play. Love the Blazer and Equinox EV but not interested in having a different interface from what I enjoy and fully understand in my other CarPlay vehicles.

[@ares4257]

Thanks for the information. Undecided on the silverado ev or the lighting. You have driven both which do you prefer. Thanks again do more videos.

[@jillciminillo]

@@ares4257 Overall, I like the Ford F150 Lightning better because it suits me as a petite driver. I like to kick-down windows and lower beltline as well as the available adjustable pedals. Silverado EV has some neat features, but the lack of Apple CarPlay, for me, is also a dealbreaker.

[@ares4257]

@jillciminillo yep I Have a 12yr old f150 platinum time to start thinking for a replacement.this time going electric.

[@larryrobinson6382]

Just for the record, I'm an Android user. So, not having Apple Carplay is a moot point for me.

[@kjchicago1]

Very Interesting, Jill-Very Interesting! And what a nice Chevy Silverado EV

[@sasca854]

Can you watch youtube while parked? Because that's a feature I use all the time when I'm at a supercharger in my Tesla.

[@alblackwell]

Thank you. You helped me clarify that I will not buy an expensive car with a crappy infotainment system. I e driven a Chevy volt for 6 years and one of the reasons I like the car is Apple CarPlay. GM screwed up by hobbling my use of music, podcasts, and the phone.

[@nyogrson1]

Does this have KZbin, Netflix, etc as download options?

[@CarbonHill]

Just got a new Equinox EV - the apps constantly crash. I can use Alexa once or twice before it crashes and I have to restart the system. Same with the Google assistant. My prior vehicle was a Bolt EUV with Apple Car Play - never an issue with that interface. Super disappointed with the new setup.

[@easternyellowjacket276]

Thanks for this video, Jill. My wife and I just purchased a Chevy Equinox EV. She has an iPhone and this will help her. I was wondering if you think GM could always update to add Apple Car Play if it enough people complain about it?

[@jillciminillo]

Welcome. I'd love for you guys to check back in with me once you get used to the owner experience and tell me how it's working for you -- and if you like Google built-in without Apple CarPlay.

[@easternyellowjacket276]

@@jillciminillo Hi. We have had the car now for a week. Don't miss CarPlay at all or AA. The system in the car is fantastic. One bummer is the fact that we still haven't been able to use Super Cruise because there is a software update that needs to be done for the radar. Kind of a bummer, but overall the car was great on our little road trip we took last weekend.

[@jillciminillo]

@@easternyellowjacket276 I’m actually glad to hear that. How do you feel about the lack of access to voicemail and past text messages?

[@easternyellowjacket276]

@@jillciminillo We are most probably an outlier in this area as we don't even really care about that. Not really important to us, but it may be for someone that has to be tethered for business, etc.

[@jillciminillo]

@@easternyellowjacket276 good to know. And thank you for circling back.

[@dearllayton4645]

long time chevy driver here and was considering equinox ev for my wife especially due to familiarity with the controls but if you have to go through all this and can't user car play we wont be moving forward. that sad.

[@chocmaus]

Can't we load Apple Music through Google play? And then connect our account and listen to our play lists?

[@jillciminillo]

@@chocmaus it wasn’t available as a download. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@scottmcdonald1139]

Great video, showed warts and all with the system, which many reviewers seem to gloss over. Sending that text message looked painful! How is this system connecting? Is the car connected via 5G? is it correct that this is included for 8 years at no additional cost? thanks!

[@todddarnell7839]

One other note- the way that you have to access your texts, music, and podcasts is dangerous. You should never have to look at your phone in the vehicle if it is in motion. And one thing that most people are going to not understand is that Bluetooth is NOT the way you want your iPhone hooked up to the infotainment system. CarPlay uses WiFi to connect. So not only do you not have direct access to Apple Music and other high definition streaming apps, but with a Bluetooth connection you can’t access the high definition audio support that you have on the iPhone.

[@jillciminillo]

Very good point. Audiophiles will care about this.

[@UnnDunn]

Even though wireless CarPlay uses Wi-Fi, the audio it transmits is no better than standard Bluetooth. iPhone transmits 16bit 48kHz AAC audio on CarPlay, and 24bit 44.1kHz AAC on bluetooth, with similar bitrates. No-one but the most discerning of audiophiles will hear a difference between the two, and neither medium supports high-definition audio.

[@todddarnell7839]

@@UnnDunn sorry but you are wrong. In Apple Music and some other hi resolution music apps you can turn on hi resolution audio system. In Apple Music I have got it set to use hi resolution audio . In my Apple Music I have it set to use ALAC 24/192khz.

[@UnnDunn]

@@todddarnell7839 turning on hi-resolution audio in those apps merely controls whether the app will download the hi-resolution music file or the normal music file. It doesn’t control the way audio is delivered from your phone to your speakers. That is controlled by the system. So you can download the hi-res audio file, but when you play it, it is still going to be compressed to Bluetooth quality.

[@smithwm66]

Great Video! I definitely won't be upgrading my XT5 to anything else from GM. Very helpful

[@jillciminillo]

@@smithwm66 gas vehicles still have CarPlay. It’s the EVs you have to worry about.

[@toner37]

It's been said that Tesla doesn't have AA or ACP yet no one really complains about that. And as always any new tech is never perfect. There are always things that get "perfected" with time. Not everyone needs so much access to everything on their phones while in their cars. I think the everyday person just drives and listens to music. So much tech going into vehicles it's crazy. But people want so many toys/bells and whistles, then complain when it doesn't suit their needs. As a driver, what is it you really need access to while driving?

[@jillciminillo]

@@toner37 podcasts. Voicemail. Talk to text. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@joarcokru]

I just want to get into the car, connect my phone and start driving. Not all this set up BS which 75% of car owners won’t know how to do.

[@normp3356]

So do I have to have a google account to use this vehicle infotainment system? Because I dont have an google account and don't want one

[@jbountalas]

It seems like a lot of effort that can be achieved easily with Car Play. I've only been watching this for a few minutes, but so far, from what I can see, that dog won't hunt.

[@emerywang]

Hi Jill. How does the car get data? Turning on a hotspot on your phone to feed wifi to the car every time you drive could get real expensive real quick. Thanks.

[@jillciminillo]

@@emerywang Wi-Fi hot spot in the car.

[@emerywang]

@@jillciminillo Which carrier does the car get the hotspot from? How is it paid for? That's really the $64,000 question here. How does the car get a wifi hotspot while on the road, and who pays? If it's the customer, then it means you have to get an additional cell phone subscription for the car. I think that is the first question that comes to most peoples' minds if the car no longer depends on your cell phone's data plan. Thanks.

[@larryrobinson6382]

Did you say that the phone charger pad actually charged your phone?

[@jillciminillo]

@@larryrobinson6382 yep

[@JohnB-y6z]

I knew it was Google’s system, but I underestimated the obnoxiousness of them leveraging their ecosystem so hard. Syncing with a Gmail? Absolutely not. I know it isn’t required but this will allow Google to obtain sensitive data about millions of people who don’t know any better. Disgusting move by GM. There was absolutely nothing wrong with CarPlay or Android Auto, even less so with the next generation of CarPlay coming out. I love my Bolt and grew up in a family of GM UAW workers, but I will be looking to other manufacturers for my EV needs who don’t seek to sell my data and arbitrarily lock down core features of MY property.

[@joer4367]

I'm wondering if it's possible to set up a "car only" Google account that's not tied to any personal information? The privacy considerations are a major concern for me.

[@colorado_al]

@@joer4367 That's what I've done. I have a separate gmail account that I use solely for the GM EV.

[@johngoreham8352]

Great Vid. What a mess. All this so GM can charge its customers a subscription cost monthly. I use Android Auto, and it takes under 3 seconds to load with one "yes" touch"- one time ever - and then it loads all my subscriptions instantly whenever I enter the vehicle after that. Having to re-load and log into all your personal apps is absolutely stupid. As your video demonstrates, most users are not going to spend many hours to make all these things work with their Apple phone. Deal-breaker. I will be linking to your video whenever I test such a system to illustrate to traders what they are in for.

[@LindaJames-q8x]

How do you get hands free text

[@jillciminillo]

@@LindaJames-q8x and therein lies the problem. You have to either use Siri via Bluetooth or hope the Google assistant can help you.

[@malthumb]

Not a deal breaker. Got used to working around not having CarPlay with a Tesla. Chevy actually does it BETTER than Tesla. Get used to saying “Hey Siri” a lot. I can actually play any of my Apple Music playlists with a quick “Hey Siri” command. And it shows up with correct album art. What most people don’t realize is WHY GM is not using CarPlay. Apple is developing a next gen CarPlay that will be able to customize your instrument cluster and show things like road speed, engine rpm and fuel status, cabin temp, et cetera. In order to do that, the automaker has to agree that Apple can tap into the car’s operating system. GM said “hell to the naw”. Keep in mind that at the time these decisions were being made, Apple was actively working on the idea of bringing a car to market. If GM had agreed to give Apple access to the vehicle operating system, Apple would be able to actively measure performance and system data from GM vehicles that could be used in development and improvement of their own vehicles. I don’t blame GM for punting on that.

[@jillciminillo]

Apple was doing this. But they did a turnaround. Now they aren’t making manufactures allow them to take over everything. I give my information to Apple, I don’t want to give it to Google as well as General Motors who will share it with whomever they wish. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@LastMumzy]

Is KZbin Music app available for this system?

[@RyanTobler]

Yes

[@derylhunt4494]

It matters! Main problem is after 8 years you are stuck! You must buy their system each month!

[@markkowatch7998]

No Apple Car Play = Bad Idea

[@dennisfeit4461]

What happens when there are two people in the car, each with an iPhone?

[@MrBill0523]

WHAT!! No Apple Car Play!

[@marcin-guitar]

Well sucks for iPhone users. But as someone whose life is all in Google this is actually great, more convenient than Android Auto as the assistant now can control the AC, maps know about state of charge etc. One of the strong reasons im getting a Sierra EV!

[@spazzman90]

You do realize that even for google experience she shows, it will require an internet subscription to for the car after the trial period runs out. Which at this point is a number of years, but vehicles in the near future it will be knocked down to 3 months.

[@marcin-guitar]

@@spazzman90 well, if one can afford a $100k truck, they should be able to afford a $40/mo data plan I guess? That's $5k over 10 years..

[@havnfunb4]

When I first heard they were doing away with apple carplay i thought oh great they will replace it with something junky and charge a subscription fee. It’s nice to see they have replaced it with something comparable and offer 8 years free service. I’m sure they will add more features and improvements as it matures. Can’t wait to use it when the wife takes delivery of an Equinox EV in the next few days. She has an android phone so I’m sure she’ll be ok with it and doesn’t like tech too much so I’m sure she’ll stick with the basics for awhile until she is more comfortable.

[@marcojean6578]

⁠​⁠@@spazzman90You do realize that using your own’s phone ACP or AA is using your phone’s internet connection, and that it is possible to share said phone internet with the car, once the free period is over? As such, and although losing ease of use and some features is indeed sad, the need of a subscription isn’t supposed to be an issue.

[@Taekwondo2022]

Could you make another honking video

[@jesp999]

the supercruise rocks, I am sorry for the iphone users, but I alwasy felt iphone users, Since android worldwide and in the US has a much bigger market share of population. I think GM and google are actually trying to squeeze out apple. I like android better. I think as an android and google user it is nice to let the car OS with google work on its own without having to pair with my phone. So as an android user a car with a google OS it is evern better than most vehicles.

[@JustChexin]

I wish they would just add Apple CarPlay back in.

[@jillciminillo]

Yep

[@danscheinkman2086]

they wont. GM wants to own and sell your data

[@joer4367]

@@danscheinkman2086 that's a major concern for me.

[@jonathanb4929]

Definitely, a big NO for me.

[@spazzman90]

Yeah, deal breaker. Bad move axing what is the most requested new car feature. And then pour salt in the wound by having it available on their Chinese market versions (Cadillac Optiq).

[@nroose]

It's not that I require Apple CarPlay, it's that the feature set is really not comparable. The stuff you have demonstrated is not well integrated. At all. And Chevy and Google do not seem to care. At all.

[@ryansherman4556]

this reads and sends text just like i do with car play now not understanding what the difference is

[@jillciminillo]

@@ryansherman4556 only current texts that come through. If you have a text message on your phone when you get into the car, it doesn’t access it.

[@marcojean6578]

@@jillciminilloyeah, but you can read it before you leave… I get this might be an issue for some people, and it’s good that you mention it, but I personally don’t need past message read to me. As for podcast, swiping on the screen might be easier than on the phone, but it’s still not really safe.

[@jillciminillo]

@@marcojean6578 I typically save my voicemails and text messages for when I’m driving because it’s an easy way to multitask. Especially when I’m on a straight highway for three hours, which I do every other week.

[@marcojean6578]

@@jillciminillono worries; like I said; it’s good that you mention it, as there might be a reason some find it important. Still, most people don’t spend most of their time on the road, and they need to put everything in context. I am waiting for my Equinox EV, and watching your video, I was getting a bit nervous of losing Apple car play, but I looked into it a bit further after watching your video. My comment also wasn’t meant as dismissive; although it shows that you find setting this up as a chore, you’re not urging people to stay away from it. Past messages isn’t an issue for me, so I “hope” everything will go well. Even with ACP in my Bolt, voice command wasn’t perfect. My only issue is that I will need to create the profiles of all 4 members of the family; I better take a day off! 😂

[@jillciminillo]

@@marcojean6578 hopefully the profile set up will get easier the more you do it! I’d love it if you check back in with me after you’ve lived with the vehicle for a couple of weeks and tell me how it’s going. I am so dependent on Apple CarPlay, I honestly can’t imagine having a vehicle without it at this point. Not to mention the fact that I give all of my private information to Apple, not Google. So having one more tech company owning my life bothers me from a privacy standpoint. I don’t even put my home address into Waze. I give it the address of a bike shop not far away. 🤣

[@larryrobinson6382]

Neither do I miss my cassette player either.

[@jillciminillo]

@@larryrobinson6382 you can’t miss what you don’t use. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@scotthucks7966]

No problem for me as I have an Android phone, lol.

[@tigmathis]

This is one of the worst decisions GM has ever made. They have to change course. There is not set up when I have CarPlay. My settings are the same no matter what car I’m in. I don’t want a profile saved to the car. I don’t want anyone driving my car to adjust my Spotify recommendations or know my last/frequently traveled places. Such a wonderful vehicle ruined by a money grab decision to sell driver data & internet subscription fees.

[@gayur6888]

Do you own one?

[@jillciminillo]

@@gayur6888 no

[@gayur6888]

@@jillciminillo can we trust the battery platform?

[@joarcokru]

Great example of IT people making the lives of customers worse.

[@jacob7829]

I want either the equinox or blazer. I enjoy the look and drive of each. However,  CarPlay is needed. As a result, Chevy has been pushed down…WWAAAYYY down.

[@jillciminillo]

@@jacob7829 check out Honda Prelude. It’s essentially a Blazer with different badging AND CarPlay…

[@modquad18]

Damn I miss Steve Jobs. This is a cluster.

[@JamesUlishney]

I am not sure why CarPlay is so important.

[@jillciminillo]

@@JamesUlishney if you want to access past voicemails or text messages, right now you can only do that through CarPlay. If you don’t care about those things, then no, it is not important.

[@LionessDiva]

I don't use Android Auto as its useless in other Vehicles. Currently I have 2019 Equinox infotainment is superior to any other system, I have driven other brands nothing can top the chevy navigation. My Chevrolet App is how my Vehicle identifies me & my phone. A lot of added features in my Chevrolet App I can't use as its made for EV's. Looking forward to that. My infotainment connects to my phone very easily, I don't need to touch my phone as calls & phone book is uploaded. I can set up "favorite" calls. I don't use Apps that require subscription like Spotify that police your log in's. I have taken the time to download all my music on usb stick that I use for my home stereo and car works great. Especially with Chevy having the stereo controls on the back on the steering wheel, I don't need to touch the screen. Best part is my Navigation has North America maps, I can cross the border still get directions to places I want to go. I am soley using my Vehicle navigation as I shut off my phone data as I am not paying for data on a day trip across the border.

[@jillciminillo]

Can you send text messages and listen to voicemail without touching your phone? And do you pay a subscription fee for the navigation?

[@LionessDiva]

@@jillciminillo I pay no subscription, the map is downloaded from factory I was told. Navigation is spot on when giving directions, multiple prompts before destination. I haven't had an issue. Android Auto in non-gm vehicles doesn't do this, you get the prompt after you passed the intersection you needed to turn. That's why I want the same Chevy Navigation system in new vehicles. Even mobile google maps directions isn't that good. Just had a friend tell me that his google maps found a destination for directions that his friend's iPhone couldn't find. People prefer to be in my SUV for long drives because of the navigation accuracy. I don't do text messages when driving, plus it's illegal in my country to touch my phone when driving. Everything has to be handsfree. Police give tickets everyday for touching your phone. I do know that Nokia phones aren't compatible with Chevy, so I had to switch to a Samsung phone when I bought my SUV.

[@jillciminillo]

@@LionessDiva that’s why I enjoy Apple CarPlay in vehicles, because then you don’t touch your phone. Everything can be done via voice command or the infotainment screen.

[@ryansherman4556]

@@jillciminillo which all can be done with this system

[@jillciminillo]

@@ryansherman4556 how? The system will only let you do text messages that come in while you’re in the car. And I haven’t figured out a way to listen to voicemail messages without touching my phone.

[@WiltonLiveTV]

If your goal with this video was to reassure viewers about the setup process for a new car, it seems counterproductive to express your own frustration throughout. Many people are already aware that setting up a new car can be a bit tedious. However, your visible annoyance from the outset undermines the reassurance you aim to provide. I stopped watching around the six-minute mark because your evident irritation made it difficult to continue.

[@jillciminillo]

@@WiltonLiveTV did not seek to provide reassurance.

[@WiltonLiveTV]

@@jillciminillo mission achieved

[@silcozot]

you really should watch the whole video I assume you clicked on it to learn something,

[@modquad18]

I somehow made it to 14 minutes, but sorry, I’m out.

[@fbksakskier]

Sucks. Idiotic. Bring back Apple Car Play, or I won’t buy.