To clarify - The difference between Google Maps and Apple Maps:

If the phone is locked and navigation is in progress, on Apple, the active map shows in the lock screen. On Google, you would need to unlock the phone, and switch back to the Maps app.

Of course (and to be fair) if you don't lock the phone and leave the maps app focused, both Google and Apple will stay in view.

I've found that on longer drives where the maps app isn't needed, the phone will end up being locked/away, and when you do need a direction, that's when the API difference that I mentioned above clearly shows up.

Apple is definitely holding that API to themselves, with a side effect of making a more dangerous interaction (however un-ideal) for the user.