Acura ZDX EV Equipped with Android Auto and Pre-Installed Google Apps
The 2024 ZDX, Acura’s inaugural fully electric vehicle, is set to debut soon and will now come equipped with a comprehensive range of Google products, such as Android Auto. These features will be accessible across all ZDK models and will provide access to apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, resulting in a more customized and efficient driving experience.
With Google Assistant, you can give voice commands while keeping your eyes on the road to make calls, send text messages to friends, set reminders, change the temperature in your closet, and more. This is of course fully integrated with Android Auto, so use Assistant to play your favorite media tracks, skip to the next song, rewind podcasts and download a wide range of third-party apps.
While Google Assistant isn’t much of a departure from any other iteration, this version of Google Maps has a few features that are just for EV drivers. It offers optimized route planning with an emphasis on finding EV charging stations and estimating the charging time needed to reach the destination. It even pre-conditions the battery when you’re ready for a DC fast charging station.
It has a large central touchscreen that acts as the primary dashboard for navigation, media selection and the like. The touchscreen integrates both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with regular “fast and secure” over-the-air (OTA) software updates to improve various functions.
The move comes as auto giant General Motors begins ditching Android Auto and Apple CarPlay from its cars to make way for the more powerful Android Automotive software platform. The Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S electric cars will be available early next year, and all sales will be online instead of through brick-and-mortar dealerships.
