So you’ve got yourself a sweet Subaru ride, and you’re wondering whether to use the fancy Starlink system that came with it or hook up your Android phone with Android Auto.
Key Takeaways
Android Auto is faster and more reliable than Starlink, but it also requires you to plug in your phone every time you use it.
Starlink has some features that Android Auto doesn’t have, such as Wi-Fi connectivity and remote services, but it also can be slow and glitchy sometimes.
Well, it’s not an easy choice, my friend. Both systems have some cool stuff and some not-so-cool stuff.
Let me break it down for you.
What is Subaru Starlink?
Subaru Starlink is a multimedia system that lets you do all kinds of things on your car’s touchscreen. It’s like having a mini-computer in your dash. Some of the things you can do are:
Navigation: You can use the Magellan NAVI app to find your way around, check out traffic, and discover new places. You can also use Google Maps or Waze if you plug in your phone with Android Auto.
Music: You can jam to your favorite tunes using apps like iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, or Spotify. You can also play your phone’s music or podcasts with Android Auto.
Phone: You can make and receive calls using the Bluetooth connection or Android Auto. You can also text using voice commands or Android Auto.
Safety and Security: You can access various services like emergency help, roadside help, vehicle check-ups, stolen vehicle recovery, remote services, and more using the Starlink app on your phone or the MySubaru website.
What is Android Auto?
Android Auto is a system that lets you use your Android phone’s features on your car’s display. It works with most Subaru models that have Starlink.
To use it, you need to connect your phone to the car’s USB port with a cable and turn on Android Auto on your phone’s settings. Some of the things you can do are:
Google Assistant: You can use voice commands to control various functions like navigation, music, phone, weather, reminders, and more. You can also ask Google anything you want or get personalized suggestions based on what you’re doing.
Navigation: You can use Google Maps or Waze to get directions, traffic information, and points of interest. You can also see your next turn on the instrument cluster or the head-up display if your car has them.
Music: You can jam to your favorite tunes using apps like Google Play Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, or any other compatible app. You can also play your phone’s music or podcasts.
Phone: You can make and receive calls using the Bluetooth connection or Google Assistant. You can also text using voice commands or Google Assistant.
Apps: You can use various apps that work with Android Auto like Audible, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, and more.
Subaru Starlink vs Android Auto: Which One Rock More?
The answer to this question depends on what you like and what you need. Here are some things to think about:
#1. Speed and reliability
Android Auto is faster and more reliable than Starlink because it uses your phone’s power and data connection. Starlink can be slow to start or work, and it might glitch out sometimes.
#2. Features and customization
Android Auto has more features and customization options than Starlink because it uses your phone’s apps and settings. You can also update your phone’s software easier than Starlink’s software.
Starlink has some features that Android Auto doesn’t have, like Wi-Fi connectivity, remote services, and vehicle diagnostics.
#3. Convenience and safety
Android Auto requires you to plug in your phone every time you use it, which might be annoying for some people. It also uses up your phone’s battery faster than Starlink.
But Android Auto also has more convenience and safety features than Starlink, like Google Assistant, Google Maps/Waze integration with the instrument cluster/head-up display, and voice-to-text messaging.
So there you have it. Both Subaru Starlink and Android Auto have their pros and cons. The best way to decide which one to use is to try them both out and see which one makes you happier.
