First introduced in mid-2013, Apple's CarPlay interface -- which supplements vehicles' built-in infotainment and navigation systems with a car-safe version of iOS and Siri technology -- is finally to be widely available in most US new car models
starting with the 2016 model year, which is rolling out to dealers now. In most cases, compatibility with CarPlay -- and, to a lesser extent, Android Auto -- will be a standard feature in cars with built-in navigation systems, but in some cases will be considered a standalone feature that is added to entertainment upgrade packages.
Audi will feature CarPlay in its 2017 Q7 model (which becomes available early next year); Buick will have it in the 2016 LaCrosse and Regal; Cadillac includes it with the ATS, ATS Coupe, ATS-V and -V Coupe, CT6, CTS, ELR Coupe, Escalade/ESV, and XTS; Chevrolet will feature it in the 2016 Camero, Camero Convertible, Colorado, Corvette Z06, Corvette Stingray, Cruze, Impala, Malibu, Silverado 1500/2500HD/3500HD, Suburban, Tahoe, and Volt models; Ferrari will have it in the California T and FF; and GMC includes in the 2016 Canyon, Sierra 1500/2500HD/3500HD, Yukon/Yukon XL, and the Sierra and Yukon Denalis.
Honda will be supporting CarPlay in the 2016 Accord (EX, EX-L and Touring), Accord Coupe (EX, EX-L and Touring), and Civic (EX, EX-T, EX-L and Touring); Hyundai will have it in the 2016 Sonata (available later next year); Kia's 2016 Optima will have it (again, available later next year); Mitsubishi will offer it in the 2017 Mirage (coming this spring); Porshe includes it in the 911 Carrera and Carerra S, the Macan S, GTS and Turbo (launching across 2016); Volkswagen will have it in the 2016 Beetle (but not the "S" variant), the CC, the e-Golf, the Golf (excluding the TSI Coupe), the Golf GTI, the Golf R, the Golf Sportswagen, the Jetta, Passat, and Tiguan (the latter three will exclude the "S" versions, however); and finally, Volvo will include CarPlay in the 2016 XC90.
Some companies have
not yet announced CarPlay support, but their parent companies or one brand in the family have, making it likely that they will at some point, reports
MacRumors. Among those makers are Acura (owned by Honda), Fiat Chrysler (which owns Ferrari), BMW, Ford (which has said it will make its present SYNC system compatible with CarPlay), Nissan, and Mercedes-Benz (whose A-Class cars support it, but are not sold in the US). Fiat Chrysler's brands that have yet to make announcements include Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep, RAM, and Abarth.
Audi may add CarPlay compatibility to its 2017 A4 (due in late 2016), while Nissan has said it will bring CarPlay to its 2016 models excluding the Altima, but has made no further announcement. Companies that appear to be putting off CarPlay until the 2017 model year or further include BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz (US), and Toyota.
Aftermarket kits that can add CarPlay and more to vehicles in which it was not included are available from
Alpine, Kenwood, and Pioneer. The systems range from around $600 to $1,400. CarPlay requires iOS 8 and an iPhone 5 or later, along with a compatible vehicle or aftermarket system.
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