Android Auto

Android Auto is Google’s equivalent of Apple CarPlay, for Android phones. It puts a simplified, driving-friendly version of your phone on the car’s screen, so maps, calls, messages and music are controlled through the display and voice instead of the handset.

The benefit for a rental is identical: your familiar navigation, audio and contacts arrive in an unfamiliar car without any setup in the car itself. Google Maps with live traffic, your music apps and voice control all work as they do on your phone.

You connect by plugging the phone into the car’s USB port, or wirelessly on cars that support it, and the Android Auto interface takes over the central screen for the relevant functions.

As with CarPlay, it is worth checking for when you book if you navigate by phone, and worth disconnecting your phone when you return the car so your data does not stay behind for the next driver.