Most carmakers in the U.S. are now clearing out 2015 models to make way for new 2016 vehicles, a growing number of which feature CarPlay for the first time since Apple introduced the software platform at WWDC in 2013.
Apple’s in-dash software provides hands-free or eyes-free access to Maps, Phone, Messages, Music, Podcasts and third-party apps including Spotify, Rdio, iHeartRadio, CBS Radio and MLB At Bat.
Volkswagen is one of twelve automakers supporting CarPlay on 2016 U.S. vehicles
CarPlay will be available in a wide range of 2016 vehicles from Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Volkswagen and other carmakers — many are available now, and others will launch in the coming weeks. The feature is standard for most U.S. models listed, but some carmakers have made the feature an upgrade by itself or as part of an entertainment package.
2016 U.S. CarPlay Vehicles
Buick
– 2016 LaCrosse
– 2016 Regal
Cadillac
– 2016 ATS
– 2016 ATS Coupe
– 2016 ATS-V
– 2016 ATS-V Coupe
– 2016 CT6
– 2016 CTS
– 2016 ELR Coupe
– 2016 Escalade/ESV
– 2016 XTS
Chevrolet
– 2016 Camaro
– 2016 Camaro Convertible
– 2016 Colorado
– 2016 Corvette Z06
– 2016 Corvette Stingray
– 2016 Cruze
– 2016 Impala
– 2016 Malibu
– 2016 Silverado 1500
– 2016 Silverado 2500HD
– 2016 Silverado 3500HD
– 2016 Suburban
– 2016 Tahoe
– 2016 Volt
Ferrari
– 2016 Ferrari California T
– 2016 Ferrari FF
GMC
– 2016 Canyon
– 2016 Sierra 1500
– 2016 Sierra 2500HD
– 2016 Sierra 3500HD
– 2016 Yukon
– 2016 Yukon XL
– 2016 Sierra and Yukon Denalis
Honda
– 2016 Accord (EX, EX-L and Touring)
– 2016 Accord Coupe (EX, EX-L and Touring)
– 2016 Civic (EX, EX-T, EX-L and Touring)
Hyundai
– 2016 Sonata (Later Availability)
Kia
– 2016 Optima (Later Availability)
Mitsubishi
– 2017 Mirage (Launches Spring 2016)
Porsche
– 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera (Launches 2016)
– 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S (Launches 2016)
Volkswagen
– 2016 Beetle (Excluding S)
– 2016 CC
– 2016 e-Golf
– 2016 Golf (Excluding TSI Coupe)
– 2016 Golf GTI
– 2016 Golf R
– 2016 Golf SportWagen
– 2016 Jetta (Excluding S)
– 2016 Passat (Excluding S)
– 2016 Tiguan (Excluding S)
Volvo
– 2016 XC90
Other Carmakers
Apple lists several other CarPlay partners on its website, but some remain committed to their own infotainment systems in current U.S. vehicles. Select carmakers have disclosed their plans to support CarPlay in the future.
– Acura has not announced CarPlay support, but its parent company Honda has launched CarPlay in the 2016 Accord and 2016 Civic. Given that Acura is Honda’s luxury brand, its vehicles should eventually support CarPlay.
– Fiat Chrysler Automobiles brands, including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM and Abarth, will not support CarPlay in 2016 models, and the auto group has not announced future plans. Ferrari is the sole exclusion.
– Audi‘s website says CarPlay will be “available on some all-new Audi models arriving in U.S. showrooms by 2016,” possibly including the 2017 Audi A4 in late 2016. Select Audi models in Europe already feature CarPlay.
– BMW confirmed in a November 2015 earnings call that it remains committed to supporting CarPlay on future models, but did not specify a model year — the 2017 model year or later is probable.
– Ford, like Chrysler, is another “Big Three” U.S. automaker that does not appear it will support CarPlay on 2016 models, including its luxury brand Lincoln, but the company has suggested its SYNC 3 platform could eventually work with CarPlay.
– Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda and Subaru have not announced CarPlay support for their 2016 vehicle lineups.
– Nissan has plans to support CarPlay for its 2016 vehicle lineup, but the 2016 Altima will not be one of those vehicles and support for other upcoming models remains unclear. It has not announced plans for 2016.
– Mercedes-Benz has demoed CarPlay in its 2015 C-Class sedan in 2015, and the 2016 A-Class supports Apple’s in-dash system, but the A-Class is not sold in the U.S. It appears increasingly likely that Mercedes-Benz will not adopt CarPlay in the U.S. until the 2017 model year or later.
– Toyota appears to have put its CarPlay commitment on hold for now. The world’s largest automaker instead reached a partnership with Telenav in July 2015 to use its Scout GPS Link technology for its in-dash systems.
Aftermarket Systems
Alpine, Kenwood and Pioneer each sell aftermarket CarPlay systems for installation in vehicles that do not come standard with the feature. The aftermarket systems generally retail for between $600 and $1,400 depending on the model, and can usually be retrofitted into older vehicles for relatively minimal costs.
Pioneer’s NEX systems are available at various resellers across the U.S., ranging in price between $700 and $1,400 depending on the model. Kenwood’s DDX9702S and Excelon DDX9902S retail for $900 to $950 each and allow seamless switching between CarPlay and Android Auto. Alpine’s system sells for as low as $600.
CarPlay is compatible with the iPhone 5 or later running iOS 8 or newer.
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