2023 Mazda CX-5 and CX-8: Android Auto update now available

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 medium SUV and 2023 Mazda CX-8 large SUV are now available with Android Auto.

While these vehicles had been available with wired Android Auto – and Apple CarPlay – for almost five years, it’s understood the switch to wireless connectivity for 2023 models caused certification delays between Google and Mazda.

This meant some examples of the latest CX-5 and CX-8 were built without Android Auto functionality, with Mazda Australia initially confirming a fix would become available in July.

In an update given to Wheels Media last week, Mazda Australia has now confirmed all CX-5 and CX-8 vehicles are now built with Android Auto from March production.

A dealer-initiated 15-minute no-cost software ‘patch’ to unlock the feature is available for model-year 2023 vehicles produced from November 2022 for the CX-5, and January 2023 for the CX-8.

It’s understood some dealers are automatically installing the patch at a vehicle’s initial one-month/1000km free inspection.

For model-year 2023, Mazda Australia has installed the larger 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system on all CX-5 and CX-8 grades, replacing the older 8-inch unit previously found on lower-spec examples.

While all CX-8 grades include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the base CX-5 Maxx retains wired connectivity – but the update is still required to unlock Android Auto.