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.
VW is one of over a dozen automakers supporting CarPlay on 2016 U.S. vehicles
CarPlay will be available in a wide range of 2016 vehicles from over a dozen 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
Audi
- 2017 Q7
Buick
- 2016 LaCrosse
- 2016 Regal
Cadillac
- 2016 ATS
- 2016 ATS Coupe
- 2016 ATS-V
- 2016 ATS-V Coupe
- 2016 CT6
- 2016 CTS
- 2016 CTS-V
- 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
Chrysler
- Select 2016 Models (Later Availability)
Ferrari
- 2016 Ferrari California T
- 2016 Ferrari FF
Ford
- 2016 SYNC 3 Vehicles (Later Availability)
- 2017 SYNC 3 Vehicles
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, Touring)
- 2016 Civic (EX, EX-T, EX-L, Touring)
Hyundai
- 2016 Sonata (Later Availability)
Kia
- 2016 Optima (Later Availability)
Mercedes-Benz
December 1, 2015 or Later
- 2016 B-Class
- 2016 CLA
- 2016 CLS400
- 2016 CLS550
- 2016 CLS63 S
- 2016 E400 Coupe
- 2016 E550 Coupe
- 2016 E400 Cabriolet
- 2016 E550 Cabriolet
- 2016 GLA
January 8, 2016 or Later
- 2016 GLE300d
- 2016 GLE350
- 2016 GLE400
- 2016 GLE450
- 2016 GLE63
- 2016 GLE63 S
Mitsubishi
- 2017 Mirage (Launches Spring 2016)
Porsche
- 2017 911 Carrera (Launches 2016)
- 2017 911 Carrera S (Launches 2016)
- 2017 Macan S (Launches 2016)
- 2017 Macan GTS (Launches 2016)
- 2017 Macan Turbo (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.
- Audi, beyond the 2017 Q7, 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.
- 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 a specific roadmap for 2016.
- Toyota appears to have put its CarPlay commitment on hold. The world's largest automaker instead reached a partnership with Ford and in January 2016 to use its open source SmartDeviceLink 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.
Article Link: 2016 U.S. CarPlay Vehicles: Chevrolet, Honda, Volkswagen and More