Google Places arrives in Hyundai systems for advanced driving

With this in mind, Hyundai is taking an important step towards smarter, more seamless and connected mobility: the integration of Google Places into the ccNC navigation systems on board its latest models is officially operational.

This isn't just a simple update. It's a tangible evolution of the on-board experience, designed to make the driver—and passengers—even simpler, more personalized, and more interactive. Thanks to the collaboration between Hyundai and Google, vehicles equipped with Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) now have real-time access to a database of over 200 million points of interest. Restaurants, museums, pharmacies, gas stations, hotels, and even reviews and photos: all just a tap away, without distractions, and with an interface designed to seamlessly integrate with the vehicle's infotainment system.

This innovation applies not only to upcoming models, but also to those already on the road, provided they have the updated software. Specifically, cars such as the New KONA (2023-), the New SANTA FE (2024-), the New TUCSON (2024-), the New IONIQ 5 (2024-), the sporty IONIQ 5 N (2024-), and the eagerly awaited IONIQ 9, which will debut in 2025, will benefit from the new features.

What's changed, above all, is the approach to finding destinations. Entering addresses has become faster and more intuitive, with an autocomplete system that displays helpful suggestions as you type. What's more, once you've found your destination, Google Places provides detailed descriptions, opening hours, user ratings, images, and even lists that can be filtered by brand or category. A typical restaurant? An independent bookstore? A reliable charging station? Everything is just a click away, and your car effectively becomes an advanced travel assistant.

The advantage of this integration lies in the natural way the interface communicates with the driver. It eliminates the need to switch between a smartphone or external apps: everything happens within the car's system, with constant updates and always-updated data. Navigation thus becomes richer in information, more reliable, and ultimately more useful in everyday life.

The collaboration between Hyundai and Google is not new, but a project that has been steadily growing. From voice commands to Android Auto integration, to customizable, cloud-based infotainment, the two companies are jointly building a digital ecosystem capable of adapting to the needs of the modern driver. With this new integration, the synergy is further strengthened, confirming the commitment to offer an advanced yet accessible, innovative yet practical in-car experience.

For Hyundai, technology is never an end in itself. It serves to simplify life, making every journey safer, more enjoyable, and more seamless. And for this very reason, the introduction of Google Places represents a fundamental step in its smart mobility strategy.

In a world where cars are increasingly connected, the real challenge is making this connection truly useful. Not just spectacular. Not just futuristic. And with Google Places, Hyundai demonstrates its understanding of this principle: bringing the tools people already know into the car, enhancing them with the intelligence of native integration.