Google Maps is coming to Kia and Hyundai vehicles ahead of Android Automotive

Ben Schoon | Dec 12 2024 - 11:10 am PT

While Hyundai and Kia plan to adopt Android Automotive in the near future, the Hyundai Motor Group has just inked a deal to bring Google Maps to its infotainment system ahead of that launch.

Announced today, Hyundai Motor Group has partnered with Google to bring info from Google Maps to vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles. The rollout, Hyundai says, will start with Kia vehicles in North America and expand to models from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis globally after that.

While it’s not clarified exactly when this will roll out, it appears to be separate from the rollout of Android Automotive in Hyundai’s vehicles. It’s mentioned that this is using the Google Maps “Places API,” which somewhat implies that this partnership is mainly about location information rather than navigation.

Hyundai says:

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Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is expanding its partnership with Google to deliver next-generation navigation and infotainment experiences. Drivers of new Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles will soon get access to fresh information about 250 million places around the world from Google Maps Platform – in addition to the convenience of the Android Automotive Operating System – right in their vehicles.

By integrating Google Maps Platform’s Places API (Application Programming Interface), the Group will enhance navigation accuracy using Google Maps’ vast information about places, which includes fresh detail about business hours, contact information, ratings, reviews and more. Kia drivers in North America will be the first to experience these enhancements, with subsequent expansions to Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models globally.

Hyundai Group previously announced plans to adopt Android Automotive starting in 2026.