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Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

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Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles.

CarPlay-Ultra-Climate-Controls.jpg

There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below.

CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot afford a $250,000 luxury vehicle, the software system will eventually be available in more affordable vehicles.

Apple-CarPlay-Ultra-cluster-Maps.jpg

Apple said "many" other automakers around the world plan to offer CarPlay Ultra over the next year and beyond, including Korean brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

Earlier this week, Porsche also reaffirmed its commitment to CarPlay Ultra.

Apple first previewed the next generation ‌of CarPlay‌ all the way back at WWDC 2022, and at the time it shared a long list of automakers that were committed to offering the software system. The list is more than three years old, and it is not entirely accurate anymore.

The list was as follows:
  • Acura
  • Audi
  • Ford
  • Honda
  • Infiniti
  • Jaguar
  • Land Rover
  • Lincoln
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Nissan
  • Polestar
  • Porsche
  • Renault
  • Volvo
According to a report this week from the Financial Times, there are at least five automakers on that list that have since confirmed that they have no plans to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo.

All in all, here is where things stand currently.

Currently Offers CarPlay Ultra
  • Aston Martin
Will Offer CarPlay Ultra
  • Hyundai
  • Kia
  • Genesis
  • Porsche
Won't Offer CarPlay Ultra
  • Audi
  • BMW
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Polestar
  • Renault
  • Volvo
General Motors controversially ditched the regular version of CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, so it is likely to pass on CarPlay Ultra too. That means vehicles from brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC are unlikely to offer CarPlay Ultra.

Maybe
  • Honda
  • Acura
  • Ford
  • Lincoln
  • Nissan
  • Infiniti
  • Jaguar
  • Land Rover
Unknown
  • Toyota
  • Lexus
  • Chrysler
  • Dodge
  • Jeep
  • RAM
  • Volkswagen

Article Link: Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/27/carplay-ultra-automakers-list/
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MacRumors said:
General Motors controversially ditched the regular version of CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, so it is likely to pass on CarPlay Ultra too. That means vehicles from brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC are unlikely to offer CarPlay Ultra.
Click to expand...
This is the main reason I won’t buy another GM car. And I’ve owned mostly GM cars over the last 35 years.
 
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I think it remains to be seen for the car companies making this available whether they begin to see this as a competitive advantage. IMHO, I think it would make sense for car manufacturers to implement their own solution while also making this a user-selectable option realizing that that does complicate development/deployment. In the two different cars I've had where there's been a "native" (i.e., developed by the auto company) vs. Car Play implementation, the "native" version has been awful.
 
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A lot of the traditional automakers are trying to move to a SW defined vehicle, a la Tesla. At the same time they are backpaddling on touchscreen controls and bringing back physical buttons (eg Hyundai and VW), so there is a lot of back and forth and I am sure that some of those mfgs will fail in their SW attempts.
Time will tell.
 
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Glad I don't buy newer cars anyway. CarPlay still works fine for me with my add-on screen, and in my wife's car with her upgraded head unit. Honestly, Apple should just make it possible to run CarPlay on an iPad. No depending on automakers to support it, they can sell more hardware, and it'll perform much better than some of the cheaper aftermarket radios that all run Android on subpar processors.
 
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I'm honestly shocked they got Hyundai group on board. Aston makes sense; they can save millions on SDE payroll by letting Apple do heavy lifting to support a launch partner. I kind of can't believe a volume manufacturer bought in...guess my next car will be a Genesis.
 
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Until it happen they are all maybe 🤔! As other say no others will follow. It not happening on the scale of normal CarPlay
 
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gank41 said:
This is the main reason I won’t be another GM car. And I’ve owned mostly GM cars over the last 35 years.
Click to expand...
I’d seriously consider the Escalade IQL if it had CarPlay. I drive a Yukon XL now but want to switch to EV but prefer CarPlay over the environment
 
I understand Car Play being a desired add on but Ultra would actually be a turn off for me. Apple do not make robust software anymore and to have Siri controlling all aspects of my car interface is beyond undesirable.
Why would anyone want Apple to control their AC or other functions?
 
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