Is Cadillac’s Lyriq EV an exception to the rule or a sign of things to come?
Automakers are moving away from Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in favor of native infotainment systems. This trend has generated quite a bit of controversy, with critics calling it an industry-wide pivot toward subscription models and data-driven cash grabs. Executives, meanwhile, touted the move as providing a smoother, more functional in-car experience.
One of the companies most invested in this approach is General Motors. Last year, CEO Mary Barra confirmed that GM would phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its gasoline-powered vehicle lineup, doubling down on the controversial decision to drop popular entertainment systems from its electric vehicles in 2023. Instead, the company is upgrading its in-house infotainment, replacing its built-in Google operating system with Google’s AI assistant, Gemini. In an April press release, the company said it hoped to deliver “a tailor-made AI assistant, fine-tuned with proprietary vehicle data to help anticipate your every need” by the end of 2026.
However, not all vehicles in GM’s lineup will lose access to third-party infotainment systems. It appears that the 2027 model of Cadillac’s luxury electric vehicle, the Lyriq, will continue to support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The decision to preserve the Lyriq’s access to phone mirroring systems is surprising, given GM’s recent move toward native apps in electric vehicles like the Chevy Silverado EV work truck and GMC Hummer EV, both of which had their CarPlay and Android Auto features removed earlier this year. As it stands, the electric SUV will be the only GM electric vehicle sold in North America compatible with both infotainment systems.
The exception or the rule?
Although GM’s transition from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may be controversial, company executives have said it will ultimately lead to a stronger product. In an interview with Nilay Patel on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Barra said the company received feedback from customers that “it was very clunky” to move from GM’s internal system to third-party apps. Now, GM is banking on customers who prefer an AI-based system with a host of verbal commands and smart features, from smart route planning and curated entertainment systems to hands-free text messaging and streaming apps.
With that in mind, GM’s logic behind the Lyriq is confusing. In a CarBuzz report on the luxury electric vehicle’s infotainment options, a Cadillac representative explained that the company is preserving the Lyriq’s access to phone mirroring apps “based on customer feedback.” However, it’s unclear why this logic hasn’t been applied to other GM models, or if it’s a sign of developments to come.
By prioritizing its own app, GM has worked to grant access to key non-native apps – a frequently cited incentive by consumers hesitant to migrate to their car’s in-house infotainment system. In December of last year, for example, GM announced that Apple Music would be available on its in-car software platform for all 2025 and 2026 models. Tim Twerdahl, vice president of global product management at GM, presented the addition as “the latest example of how we are expanding the entertainment choices built right into our vehicles.” With its new Gemini-powered system, GM’s Google Compatibility gives you access to Google Maps and other popular apps available on the Google Play Store.
For non-Lyriq GM EV drivers who prefer their phone mirroring app, the EV Play LT is a nifty workaround. Capable of providing wired and wireless phone mirroring for Chevy, GMC and Cadillac electric vehicles, the EV Play LT is a third-party product that will offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality in infotainment systems without the popular phone mirroring apps. At $199.99 and no subscription fees, the product might be just what the infotainment doctor ordered.
