Car Voice Assistant: What Is Alexa Built-in?

This technology gives drivers phoneless access to Amazon's voice assistant while in the car.

Steve Friess | 

Jun 25, 2024 | 3 min read

Acura

Alexa Built-in brings Amazon's virtual assistant into your car's infotainment system. With it, motorists can direct Alexa to perform in-vehicle tasks such as placing calls, looking up directions, and changing the music.

They can also ask the bot to place an Amazon order or operate remote Amazon-related smart products, such as Wi-Fi-connected lights, locks, and garage doors at home. Here is an explanation of what Alexa Built-in is, how to use it, where you can find it — and what the difference is between Built-in and Alexa Auto.

Ford

Alexa Auto Requires a Phone, but Alexa Built-in Does Not

The integration of Alexa into vehicles generally comes in two forms: Alexa Built-in and Alexa Auto. For years, many models have offered a way to access Alexa through mobile phones via a Bluetooth or wired USB connection to the car's infotainment system. Now, automakers are starting to build in that capability.

Functionally, Alexa Built-in can do what Alexa Auto does, except that Alexa Built-in lives in the car's infotainment system and relies on wireless internet access. That access can come from your smartphone or the car's Wi-Fi hot spot, which typically requires a subscription from the automaker.

One upside of Alexa Built-in is that it can operate even if there is no phone present. Also, when it runs off the car's Wi-Fi, it is not consuming a phone's battery power.

Ford

Users Must Be Part of the Amazon Ecosystem

An Alexa Built-in user must have an Amazon account. If they want to make Amazon purchases through in-car voice command, they must also have a credit card or bank account on file with the company.

Some cars that handle Alexa Built-in come with the app already installed in the vehicle's infotainment system. Others require owners to log into the car's app store to get it. Then a user must log into their Amazon account through the infotainment screen before Alexa will respond.

Ford

The Voice Assistant Can Help With In-Car and At-Home Tasks

Once logged in, users can summon the voice assistant by saying "Alexa" followed by a command or question. The car's microphones will pick up the request and reply through the cabin speakers. Some examples of accepted prompts include: "Alexa, show me directions to the nearest IHOP," "Alexa, play Paul Simon music," and "Alexa, how old is Tom Hanks?"

Users can also remotely control at-home smart electronic door locks, light switches, thermostats, speakers, and more from the car. For instance, if you ran out of the house in a rush, you could say, "Alexa, make sure the doors are locked." Or if you want to cool the house down before getting home, you might say, "Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees."

Several Automakers Have Integrated Alexa

While plenty of vehicles support Alexa Auto, the availability of Alexa Built-in is less widespread. So far, some of Ford's lineup has it, as well as certain Jeep, Acura, Honda, Lincoln, BMW, GMC, Infiniti, and Nissan models.

Prospective users can check Amazon to see if their vehicle — or a vehicle they're considering — is compatible with Alexa Built-in or Alexa Auto.

Steve Friess

Steve Friess is a veteran freelance journalist and author based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His career has included breaking the butterfly ballot story during the 2000 presidential election, spending months covering the SARS outbreak in China, and launching two of the earliest hit independent podcasts. He is a regular contributor to several national newspapers and magazines, and his byline has appeared on work reported in 15 countries and all 50 states. His first car was a new 1992 Saturn, but these days he and his husband haul their two toddlers around in a Mercedes GLC 300.