If your daily commute feels a little too ordinary, Waze has just made it a lot more fun. The beloved blue blur himself, Sonic the Hedgehog, is now available as a voice option in the navigation app. Yes, the fastest thing alive can now guide you through traffic—and he’s surprisingly good at it.
Sonic speeds into Waze
Since October 15, 2025, Waze users worldwide have been able to activate Sonic as their new voice assistant. The collaboration between Google’s navigation app and SEGA marks another clever crossover in the franchise’s long history of surprising cameos. Whether you’re on iOS or Android, all it takes is updating your app and choosing Sonic from the voice settings on the left-hand menu.
For English speakers, the familiar voice behind Sonic—Roger Craig Smith—is back at the microphone, while French users get their own localised version. Hearing Sonic tell you to “turn left” or “watch out for that slowpoke ahead” is every bit as entertaining as it sounds. And yes, he’s full of quick-witted quips straight from his games.
More than just a voice
It wouldn’t be Sonic without some flair. Alongside the voice, Waze has added exclusive Sonic-themed icons and visual elements that transform your driving experience. Your on-screen vehicle can become the Speedster Lightning, straight from Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, the newest game in the series, released in September 2025.
You can even choose a Sonic avatar that other drivers can see on the community map, adding a playful touch to your navigation. It’s the kind of update that makes even a mundane grocery run feel like a race through Green Hill Zone.
Free for everyone
Unlike many app add-ons that come with a price tag, this one’s completely free to download and use. Once the latest version of Waze is installed, a Sonic banner will pop up in the app menu, making activation easy—no microtransactions, no paywalls—just pure, nostalgic fun for fans.
The feature is part of the “Racing Around the Worlds” campaign by Sonic Team, leading up to the franchise's 35th anniversary in 2026. It follows a series of creative collaborations, including a partnership with McLaren Racing and even an AirAsia plane decked out in Sonic Racing: Crossworlds livery—inside and out.
A nostalgic (and speedy) commute
There’s something delightfully absurd about being guided to work by a 1990s video game icon. But that’s precisely the point. Waze has long understood that driving is better when it’s a bit playful. Past celebrity voices like Master Chief from Halo and Thrall from World of Warcraft brought their own charm, but Sonic’s energy hits differently.
For anyone who grew up chasing golden rings or trying to outrun Dr. Eggman, hearing that familiar voice say “You’ve reached your destination!” feels like a small victory lap. And for new fans, it’s simply a fun way to make the morning commute a touch less dull.
So, next time you’re stuck in traffic, remember—you could be racing with Sonic. Just don’t try to match his speed limit.
