Citing its easy-to-use, smartphone-inspired interface, tech news provider CNET chose Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system as its 2013 Best-of-CES Award in the Car Tech category, beating in-vehicle app frameworks from Ford and Garmin. Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink will debut on the 2014 Chevrolet Impala this spring, followed by other 2014 Chevrolet models such as the all-new Silverado full-size pickup. The award was presented Thursday at the Consumer Electronics Show.
“Cabin tech interfaces receive a lot of criticism for being clunky, ugly and slow, but Chevrolet may have cracked the code by copying the smartphone,” wrote CNET Senior Editor Wayne Cunningham. “The newest generation of the MyLink infotainment system runs smoothly and employs icons that look, and can be rearranged, like those on a smartphone.”

In addition to icons covering everything from navigation to phone to music apps such as Pandora, Chevrolet’s next-gen MyLink is designed to accommodate new features and enhancements and be highly customizable. It also represents Chevrolet’s first use of natural language voice recognition that allows customers to safely place calls, enter destinations, browse media, play music and control other functions simply by telling the vehicle what to do. Another first for Chevrolet is that the system can store up to 60 favourites, including radio stations (AM/FM/XM), contacts, destinations, music and other media. This feature is convenient for those who travel to the same destination regularly and want to save locations such as hotels and restaurants. “Impala buyers will love the ease, convenience and flexibility of the new MyLink system,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “Chevrolet customers are the real winners because we’ve provided them with useful and intuitive technology,” MyLink will be standard on Impala LT and LTZ and available on Impala eAssist. On its eight-inch screen, customers can fling through lists, swipe and click and drag just as they would on a tablet.

Those with compatible smartphones can pair them with MyLink using Bluetooth or a USB connection. This gives customers the ability to play passengers’ music or other media through the vehicle. Another new feature allows customers whose Impalas are equipped with available embedded navigation to enter destinations in a single step, without having to enter the state, city, street number and street name in successive efforts. City-by-city weather reports are also provided. OnStar accessibility also expands. Besides the traditional Blue button, customers can access OnStar via the screen display. The 2014 Chevrolet Impala will include six months of OnStar’s premium Directions and Connections service and services such as Automatic Crash Response, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostics and Roadside Assistance. Most smartphone owners can also download the RemoteLink Mobile App, which allows OnStar subscribers to control and manage certain vehicle functions from their phone.