Forget boring directions. The world's fastest hedgehog is now your personal GPS guide, injecting a dose of Chaos Emerald-chasing energy into your daily commute.
In a move that merges high-speed gaming with everyday travel, SEGA has teamed up with the Google-owned navigation app, Waze, launching an official Sonic the Hedgehog integration. Starting October 15, 2025, drivers can download the blue blur as their voice assistant, turning monotonous journeys into an adventure straight out of Green Hill Zone.
The partnership was announced with characteristic flair, with the companies stating, “Get ready to feel unstoppable because Sonic the Hedgehog is taking you on the drive of a lifetime with Waze.”
How to Get Sonic in Your Car
Activating your new high-speed co-pilot is a breeze. Waze users simply need to navigate to the app’s voice settings. This is found by tapping the hamburger menu on the left side of the screen and selecting "Voice & sound." There, Sonic will be waiting in the "Waze Voice" library, ready to join a prestigious roster of over 50 celebrity and character voices. He follows in the tire tracks of other gaming icons like Halo’s Master Chief and World of Warcraft’s Thrall, proving that Waze is a prime destination for gamer-driver collaborations.
More Than Just "Turn Left" – It's an Attitude
This isn't just a simple voice swap. Sonic’s navigation is delivered with his signature confidence and speed-obsessed personality. The iconic voice of Sonic for over a decade, Roger Craig Smith, returns to the booth for the English version, with a French localization also available.
Drivers can expect to hear quips like:
- On general navigation: “Alright, let’s roll! Keep your eyes on the road—never know when a loop-de-loop or spike trap will be in the way.”
- When making a turn: “Turn right! Excellent handling, no notes from me whatsoever.”
- Upon reaching the destination: “You're here! Way past cool. Now let's find some Chili Dogs to celebrate.”
The experience is designed to bring a smile to your face, making even the most traffic-clogged drive feel a little more like a victory lap. For all the details straight from the source, you can check out the official announcement on the Waze blog.
Customize Your Ride with Sonic Flair
The collaboration goes beyond voice. To fully immerse drivers in the Sonic universe, Waze is introducing a suite of customizable, Sonic-themed icons.
The most exciting addition is the ability to swap your standard in-app vehicle icon for the “Speedster Lightning” car, directly lifted from SEGA’s latest title, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, which launched on September 25, 2025. Furthermore, by selecting the “Energetic” mood option, a driver’s avatar—visible to other Waze users on the community map—will sport a Sonic-inspired face, complete with those iconic spiky brows.
This level of customization allows fans to wear their fandom on their (digital) dash. You can see the Speedster Lightning in action in our exclusive look at the game over at GSMGoTech.
A Free Upgrade for the Community
In true Waze fashion, this entire Sonic package is completely free. Available globally for both iOS and Android users who download the latest version of the app, the feature requires no in-app purchases. It’s a generous addition that reinforces Waze’s community-driven model. Users can spot the new feature via a prominent Sonic banner within the app’s main menu.
The Final Lap of a Global Campaign
This Waze tie-in serves as the capstone for SEGA’s ambitious “Racing Around the World” campaign. This year-long global initiative, led by Sonic Team, is building momentum towards the franchise’s monumental 35th anniversary in 2026.
The campaign kicked off in June 2025 with a multi-year partnership between Sonic and the elite motorsport team, McLaren Racing. It has since expanded to incredible real-world integrations, including a Sonic-redesigned AirAsia jet interior, featuring elements from Sonic Racing: Crossworlds and the upcoming battle royale spin-off, Sonic Rumble, set for release in November 2025.
By bringing Sonic to one of the world's most popular navigation apps, SEGA is ensuring that the spirit of racing is not just confined to consoles or race tracks, but is an exhilarating part of millions of daily drives. So, download the update, select Sonic, and get ready to experience a commute that’s… way past cool.
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