My mazda 3 has it. But only comes in the premium package. So it's most likely based on the bells and whistles is has..

I think that is something you should check for on the auto makers site or the sale listing.

Some cars might have it as an additional technology package etc.

No. Most have it in specific packages. My Ford Fiesta required the technology package, otherwise it doesn't support it. I think very few cars come with it standard at base.

i believe its only if your headunit supports it. Yes the 7 and 8" screen sin the silverado/sierras 2016 and up have it, the tiny 4" work truck/ low end model screen does not

my 17 and 18 LT's both had/have it but ive got the 7" screen in them.

I don't think the Silverado WT models have AA. I'm not 100 % sure though. In my case, I've had 2016, 2018, 2020 LTZ Silverados, and all had AndroidAuto. However the LTZ is the upper trim as well..

My Ford Escape

My VW Polo only has Android Auto

Basically just went to Wikipedia and wrote an article out of it....

Is there a way to sideload apps onto it?

My Lyriq only has streaming podcast’s and radio stations. I don’t care about any of that.

What I want is my Google calendar, some EV apps, like A Better Route Planner, Plug Share, Electrify America, etc.

Waze would be nice too.

What is your budget? You can add android auto to most older cars for as little as $200

Find a price for supply and fit for a head unit that supports Android Auto. Android Auto is relatively new. Android Auto was introduced just over 5 years ago. So if you insist on Android Auto, you will greatly restrict your choice of vehicle

Get any car you like and install a android based head unit or any good 2 din with android auto. Sony, pioneer and alpine have great units out there.

What you want is a Prius

Kia Niro hands down. It's a newer car so it won't be "cheap", but the base model costs around 23k new and comes with AA.

Most environmentally friendly? Buy a used car and install an android auto head unit for like $400.

I wouldn’t buy a cheap hybrid, it’s really hit or miss and many of the batteries and hybrid systems in cheap ones are worn out and people just offload them.

Civic

Can I pretend the Kia Niro fits this description, because it pretends it does?

If you want a car with very high MPG and Android Auto and think you can live without the "high ride height," the Niro's cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq does all of these things better (it uses some eco friendly parts in the interior and gets better gas mileage than the Niro.) You can also look at the Honda Clarity but I hear those are not reliable.

Beyond that (and Toyota, which doesn't have Android Auto), fantastic fuel economy and high ride contradict each other. You can't get both. The laws of physics prevent it from happening.

Edit: I was thinking about your problem a little more. Perhaps an AWD sedan will get the job done as well. Your options are a Subaru Impreza, a Subaru Legacy, or a Mazda3 AWD. They don't ride high but are built to make you feel secure in snowy weather. They also get some of the best gas mileage of any AWD vehicle by virtue of being smaller in general.

We could collect some apps here : ) I recommend Fermata Auto. For Music, TV, YouTube and as Browser for AA. Best install with AAAD. https://github.com/shmykelsa/AAAD

Are you planning on using it as a head unit or do you just want something to practise your installs on that will need to come out in a month or 2?

It does not exist. You need to budget around 350.

I would not waste time or money on one of those Chinese headunits. They are buggy, have poor sound quality, and have a high failure rate.

I would stick to Pioneer, Alpine, JVC, Kenwood, or Clarion with Android Auto. Go to Crutchfield and enter you car info it will tell you what fits and also all the parts need for install.