Why MINI’s New Navigation System Could Be Better Than Google or Apple Maps

[DimON]

Let’s be honest—when automakers boast about their in-car navigation systems, most of us roll our eyes and reach for our phones. Google Maps and Apple Maps have been the gold standard for years, constantly evolving with real-time data, predictive routing, and seamless smartphone integration. So why even bother with an in-car system?

MINI, to its credit, has answered that question in a way few automakers have. With its latest generation of vehicles, the brand has built a navigation experience that isn’t just tolerable—it’s actually compelling. Does it outright beat Google or Apple? In some key ways, yes. In others, well… not quite.

The Good: Deep Vehicle Integration

Here’s where MINI’s system earns its keep. Unlike a phone-based app, it’s fully tied into the car’s hardware, which means it can do things like EV-optimized routing. In the new electric Countryman SE, the system doesn’t just tell you where to go—it factors in battery usage, terrain, and charging stations in real time. Google Maps has an EV mode, but it’s not tied directly to the car’s energy consumption, making MINI’s approach feel more purpose-built.

Then there’s augmented reality navigation, a feature that projects animated directional arrows onto a live video feed of the road. Instead of squinting at a map, you see exactly where to turn, in real-time, on your screen. This is one of those features you don’t think you need—until you try it. In dense urban environments, it’s a game-changer.

The Meh: It’s Still a Car-Based System

For all its strengths, MINI’s system can’t fully escape the typical pitfalls of built-in navigation. Yes, it pulls traffic data over 5G, and yes, it updates maps automatically via the cloud. But it still lacks the sheer scale of Google’s or Apple’s ecosystem. Searching for a niche coffee shop or the best-rated taco joint? Google’s got it, down to user reviews and business hours. MINI’s system? You might find it, or you might be better off using CarPlay.

And then there’s voice recognition. While MINI’s onboard assistant is decent, it’s not quite on the level of Google Assistant or Siri. That means you might end up fumbling with the touchscreen more than you’d like—a mild but notable annoyance.

The Verdict: Surprisingly Good, But Not a Total Replacement

MINI’s new navigation system does what most automakers fail to do: it makes a compelling case for leaving your phone in your pocket. The AR guidance, deep EV integration, and seamless design make it genuinely useful, especially for daily driving. But if you’re the type who relies on deep search capabilities, user-generated reviews, or the absolute best traffic data, you’ll probably still find yourself defaulting to Google or Apple at times.

The real win here? MINI has built a system that actually makes you think twice about whether you need CarPlay at all—and in today’s tech landscape, that’s no small feat.

The post Why MINI’s New Navigation System Could Be Better Than Google or Apple Maps appeared first on MotoringFile.

View the full article