Android Auto is essentially a smartphone projection system for your car, with users required to tether an Android smartphone, running Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, to the built-in infotainment system that the vehicle has available.  Android Auto has slowly been gaining traction over the last year or so, with more and more car manufacturers coming into the fold every day. Android Auto has been expanding to quite a few new markets as well.

Below is everything you need to know about Android Auto, including what it has to offer, the various markets it is, or soon will be, available in, vehicles and car manufacturers that support Android Auto, and finally, the options to add Android Auto to your existing vehicle.

Functionality and features

As mentioned, Android Auto isn’t an independent system, but rather extends the functionality of your Android smartphone to the car’s dashboard head unit, using a car-friendly user interface. The phone, running Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, is tethered via a USB cable, and of course, the car does have to support Android Auto for this to work.

Functionality includes navigation via Google Maps, music control, voice control for replying to messages, making calls, and more. Third party app support is also available, with a slew of apps to be found already, including Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio, Kik Messenger, Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts, Stitcher Radio, PocketCasts, and a whole lot more. You can find the full list of compatible applications here.

See also: Android Auto Review – Hyundai Sonata 201519

Countries where Android Auto is available

Android Auto was initially launched in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, and the US. Earlier this month, Google rolled out support for Android Auto in 18 new countries, including Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Venezuela, along with the US territory of Puerto Rico.

See also: Quick look at Android Auto in Ford cars at CES 20168

Cars Android Auto is compatible with

Aftermarket stereos Android Auto is compatible with

If you aren’t in the market for a new car, you also have the option to add Android Auto support to your existing vehicle via these compatible aftermarket stereos from Kenwood and Pioneer. You can find the full list of compatible models below:

Other car manufacturers part of the Open Automotive Alliance

While there are quite a few car manufacturers with vehicles that support Android Auto, there are a lot more that are a part of the Open Automotive Alliance, and we can expect to see their cars come with Android Auto quite soon as well. These manufacturers include Abarth, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Genesis, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Mahindra, Maserati, Mazda, Nissan, Peugeot, RAM, Renault, Ssangyong, Subaru, and Suzuki.