What is HondaLink?

If you’re buying a new Honda, like the 2015 Fit or Civic, you may consider saving yourself some money and skipping the factory navigation system. Instead you can choose to use Honda’s smartphone-enabled system called HondaLink. But is it better than the factory navigation setup?

Introducing HondaLink

HondaLink is only available in the new Civic and Fit. By using your smartphone you can enable the built-in touchscreen to display your current location and search for things around you.

It’s much cheaper than purchasing a navigation system or tech package with your car, but in some ways isn’t as robust.

The system is limited to the iPhone 5, 5S and 5C. It also requires a $99 adapter that combines both a Lightening connector and HDMI cable. Android support is said to be coming, but for now it’s an Apple-only affair.

If you have the right car, cables and phone, you can download the HondaLink app for free. Of course, that doesn’t include the HondaLink navigation app, which provides turn-by-turn directions and costs $60.

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How it works

Loading up the system and getting it set up is easy. Along with the physical cable connection, HondaLink uses a Bluetooth to enable Siri-powered voice searches.

It isn’t perfect. For example, whenever you reconnect the phone via the cable, you have to tap a dialog box on the handset to give HondaLink permission to connect. This also occurs when after every phone conversation, meaning you might have to take your hands off the steering wheel frequently.

Once the connection is made, you can tap the “Connect” icon on the vehicle touchscreen and you’ll be taken to the HondaLink Launcher, which is a grid of six icons: Location, Weather, Navigation, Messages, Service and Apps. Tapping any of these icons sends you to a new screen powered by your phone.

Some of the screens are straightforward, like the Messages and Services. Here you can connect with your HondaLink account and Honda Dealership to get news and schedule service appointments. The system can also show weather forecasts up to five days in advance for any location you specify. The information is delivered to the car via the iPhone’s data connection.

Apps

Tapping on the Locations icon gives you a POI-search, allowing you to look for nearby stores, restaurants, gas stations and more. Because the search is powered by your cellular data connection the results are always up to date. Tapping on a store or place you want to learn more about brings up the address and telephone number giving you the option to call the location right from the screen.

Through the Apps icon, HondaLink Connect can also provide Aha internet radio and Pandora streaming music. This means you don’t need to carry around a bunch of CDs or have your iPhone’s internal memory stuffed with music. Instead, you can just stream it from the Internet.

Back on the main HondaLink Screen you can also tap on the Navigation button. Doing so will show your current location, traffic conditions and allow you to scroll around the map. If you want turn-by-turn navigation, you have to spring for the $60 app. Doing so will get you a pretty well-featured navigation system that also works when you’re not in the car, allowing you to continue your navigation directions when you step out of the vehicle.

Using the Navigation feature is much like any other car’s head unit, but it is missing a few key details. For example, the guidance doesn’t say street names, just generic commands like “left turn in one mile.” The system can save addresses, but not names of locations. Additionally the guidance doesn’t automatically resume when you finish a phone call because you need to provide permission again.

The Verdict

HondaLink also includes an OnStar like service that will help out if you get into an accident or need emergency services. It’s a big step forward for Honda and certainly worth considering, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.

The switch between the normal screen setup and the HondaLink launcher is a bit jarring and the fact that you have to give the phone permissions to get full functionality with the in-dash touch-screen may get annoying and potentially unsafe for drivers.

Overall, HondaLink is a decent solution for someone who wouldn’t need a navigation system often. You can save money over a factory navigation system, but the more expensive option is far better integrated and smoother to use.