The Mini Cooper is an iconic car with a long history. Now owned by BMW, the Mini Cooper offers plenty of features in addition to its unique styling. Its tech offerings include standard Apple CarPlay and various advanced driver assists. But does the 2023 Mini Cooper have Android Auto?
Overview of the 2023 Mini Cooper
With seating for four, the 2023 Mini Cooper offers three trim levels: Classic, Signature, and Iconic. It has three body styles: hardtop two-door, hardtop four-door, and two-door convertible. It also has three engine options and an electric motor option.
The standard 2023 Mini Cooper packs a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine. It generates 134 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Cooper S and John Cooper Works models provide two versions of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. They produce 189 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque and 228 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque, respectively. The electric Cooper SE is also available. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and an eight-speed automatic are available on higher trim levels.
The Mini Cooper has “surefooted handling” and an “upscale interior,” but it also has tiny rear seats and a “firm ride,” U.S. News reports. Though it has less space for rear passengers and cargo, the 2023 Mini Cooper has a higher MSRP than most competitors. The hardtop two-door starts at $28,600, according to Mini USA. And a fully loaded 2023 John Cooper Works model can cost over $40,000.
Does the 2023 Mini Cooper have Android Auto?
Google developed the Android Auto feature, which first appeared in 2015, TechCrunch reports. Like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto lets drivers connect their smartphone to a vehicle and operate it hands-free using phone apps rather than the vehicle’s built-in infotainment system interface. You can use numerous apps through Android Auto, including Google Maps, Waze, Audible, Spotify, and WhatsApp.
Google recently updated Android Auto so that it better fits various infotainment systems. Before, only some infotainment screens could use Android Auto’s split-screen display. Now, the display will be the default for all vehicles with Android Auto, allowing drivers to use multiple apps on one screen. In addition, Android Auto will adapt itself to the infotainment screen size, whether large or small, vertical or horizontal. An update intended to decrease distracted driving will enable drivers to reply to a text with a preset reply and just one tap.
Despite all the Android Auto updates, not all new vehicles have the feature yet. BMW, which owns Mini, began including Android Auto in July 2020 in vehicles with the BMW Operating System 7.0, BMWBlog reports. However, 2023 Mini cars still don’t have Android Auto.
Tech features in the 2023 model
Some drivers won’t mind the absence of Android Auto because new Mini models include Apple CarPlay, a feature that has been available in Minis since 2017.
But beginning with the 2023 Mini Cooper, Apple CarPlay is a standard feature on all Mini models, as is an 8.8-inch touchscreen. The Cooper also features a digital instrument cluster and satellite radio, both of which became standard for the 2022 model year. Also standard are Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, HD Radio, and a six-speaker sound system. A 12-speaker audio system, built-in navigation, and wireless device charging are available options.
The 2023 Mini Cooper also provides advanced driver assists. Standard features include lane-departure warning, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. In addition, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, hands-free parking assist, and a head-up display are available options.
Though the 2023 Mini Cooper has plenty of perks to entice buyers, Android Auto isn’t one of them. Drivers will have to be content with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay for now.
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