The built-in infotainment system used in GM vehicles is generally regarded with the same level of satisfaction other infotainment interfaces such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide, according to the results of a consumer survey.
While results varied somewhat between The General’s Cadillac, Chevy, GMC, and Buick brands, the data provided by the Consumer Reports survey showed consumer infotainment system satisfaction with GM’s system higher than Android Auto and roughly equal to Apple CarPlay, as the table below shows.
| Built-In System | Android Auto Integration | Apple CarPlay Integration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buick | 62% | 55% | 61% |
| Cadillac | 61% | 61% | 62% |
| Chevrolet | 56% | 43% | 60% |
| GMC | 59% | 44% | 55% |
The infotainment systems used in GM’s brands fell mostly in the middle of the range when it came to customer satisfaction. Among the four, Buick ranked the highest, while Cadillac nearly equaled it. GMC and Chevy trailed these two by several percentage points. All had greater than 55 percent satisfaction, with Buick and Cadillac above 60 percent.
Overall, Genesis scored best in the CR survey at 74 percent satisfaction, likely because its integrated system offers a high level of flexibility by combining a touchscreen with plentiful physical shortcut buttons. Tesla registered in second place for consumer infotainment satisfaction, though lack of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay reduces the info’s comparative value. Hyundai came in third, two percentage points above Buick, using an interface similar to those in Genesis and Kia models.
Even Chevy, GM’s worst performer in the survey, had an infotainment system more satisfactory than 20 other automotive brands, many of which had satisfaction scores well below 50 percent. The lowest score of all, 28 percent satisfaction with the infotainment system, was registered by Acura.
GM is deliberately moving away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as it drops integration with both technologies from its growing EV lineup. Instead, it is focusing on a new system developed in collaboration with Google. The General expects this system to give it more data about customer driving and charging habits, but also to provide a greater user experience.
GM also hopes the new its new Ultifi software platform will provide $20 billion to $25 billion in yearly subscription revenue by the end of the decade. Developing a singular system will also help GM and Google engineers create in-vehicle infotainment, navigation features, and assisted driving features like the GM Super Cruise system that work seamlessly together.
The 2024 Chevy Blazer EV will be the first GM vehicle to completely omit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The decision has caused at least some controversy among vehicle owners and automotive sector commentators. However, GM appears unfazed and is currently moving forward with its plans.
GM vice president of software Scott Miller summed up the automaker’s position by stating “we are very comfortable with our decision,” to which he added, “we are going to evolve and learn, and I think we are going to be in good shape here.”
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GM infotainment system news, GM business news, GM technology news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Pulled down by the Lyriq's very poor performance.
Some 51 million airbags inflators are dodging a recall for now.
Because of a mounting bolt that's too long.
No other incentives offered on all-new, next-gen three-row crossover.
View Comments
2023 Silverado- raido volume fails to work at all regularly. Do a Google search and you'll find hundreds of people with the same issue for the last year. Yet GM new about the issue and sold me a truck anyway. I called GM and they said this is the first they've heard of the issue. Gotta call BS. Where's the fix for this? I shouldn't need to reboot system every time this happens....