Google Gemini is coming to more cars, but some consumers arent cheering

Date:
Tue, 05 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Description:
Google Gemini is rolling out to millions of cars, but some owners are concerned about data privacy.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Volvo, Polestar, and GM all recently announced Gemini in cars Reddit users have piled in to express their distrust Early feedback suggests the system can be slow and clunky Volvo, Polestar, and General Motors have recently announced that they have begun rolling out Google Gemini to infotainment systems across their collective automotive portfolios, bringing free-flowing conversations and vehicle-specific information into vehicles with Google built in.

Gemini , which is the companys much-hyped AI assistant, is pitched to go far beyond the typical clunky manufacturer voice assistants that a vast swathe of the driving population has come to despise. Despite attempts to reduce driver distraction by enabling select voice commands to activate things like the air conditioning or change a radio station, they have often proven frustrating,
as multiple commands need to be used, or the software simply gives up and admits it cant help. Article continues below You may like Google Home users report performance issues with Gemini assistant during global rollout Google just upgraded Gemini again to 3.1 Pro How Googles Super Bowl Gemini spot reversed its Olympic misstep

Gemini, on the other hand, is touted to allow for natural conversation, according to the tech giant, with the ability to search for the perfect pit stop with free-flowing conversation.

"I need to grab lunch, find some highly rated sit-down restaurants along the way. I'm not in a rush, oh, and Id like to eat outside, Google offers as an example, stating that it will pull in reams of data, including reviews, from Google Maps to help make a decision.

Drivers and passengers can then follow up with further simple prompts, or ask Gemini to summarize text messages, flip the radio to something jazzier, or reveal EV-specific data, like battery level upon arrival or how long it will take to charge to reach a destination.

However, not all customers are happy with the system, and a quick scan
through the Reddit forums unearths a host of issues. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

While its not a completely accurate source, a number of users have complained of in-car Gemini's ponderous nature, the fact that it doesnt understand voice prompts, its struggles with third-party app integration, and that it is
overly chatty, burying useful information (such as opening and closing times) in reams of useless fluff.

But it is the concerns surrounding driver data that seem to be at the heart
of most arguments against Gemini inside the car. Analysis: GM customers seem particularly skeptical (Image credit: GM) General Motors has been in the headlines numerous times over its questionable infotainment decisions, removing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from all of its cars, choosing
instead to lean into its native software so it could build out a system that can access vehicle data, rather than being siloed from it, as are those plug and play solutions. What to read next Googles new Android Automotive update wants to control your car's 'brain' Google just fixed one of the biggest Gemini for Home problems How Gemini in Google Maps makes travel more flexible

However, several skeptics believe that GM, as well as many other manufacturers, are doing so to take control of driver data, a market that is predicted to be worth between $300 and $800 billion by 2030.

One Reddit user posted: The real story (and headline) should be: Google is Paying GM Billions for Driver Data.

Other users state that they dont trust a company with their conversations, seeing as GM and its OnStar service have already been banned from sharing certain consumer data with consumer reporting agencies.

With Stellantis also coming under fire for serving pop-up ads inside
vehicles, it is easy to see why distrust is growing over the increasing
number of connected technologies appearing in cars.

It's still, though, early days in the in-car LLM-integration space. Like most AI, they'll likely improve rapidly, and the experience people describe above now may be very different in six months. Have you tried Gemini in your car? Tell us about your experience below in the comments. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/google-gemini- is-coming-to-more-cars-but-some-consumers-arent-cheering


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