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Some 2018 Lexus Vehicles Eligible for $199 Software Update to Add CarPlay Support

It's pretty sad really. My 2016 RX450h was $66k new and even the new 2019s still don't have CarPlay. Luckily I found a unit that adds it to my system (12.3" screen) without having to deal with the dealership. Took all of 2 hours of my time. If you want reliability, it's obvious you want a Lexus. If you want a fun car with cool new features, look elsewhere (BMW).
 
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I will play devil's advocate here and say that it costs time, and money to maintain CarPlay support. Every year Apple is cranking out new phones and new versions of iOS. Cars are typically around for a long time, and I'm willing to bet that the fee is partially to offset the cost of constantly having to test newer phones and iOS versions. You know a luxury car buyer is going to give the manufacturer absolute hell if CarPlay stops working in 2022 on his 2018 Lexus just because he got a new iPhone or a new iOS version came out.

edit: At least it's a one time $199 fee and not BMW's recurring $90/year fee.
 
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LovingTeddy said:
Like Apple not including quick charge and cable, so you need go spend more money for quick charge and cable? If Apple can do that, Lexus is entitled to do so.
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Exactly, this isn't that much, I know quite a few others which are a lot worse.

Example 1
I know a high end brand that makes frequency drives, there are models where you pay for the firmware to make the model a higher output one, i.e. a 1.5 KW becomes a 2.2 KW, pay a few $100s more, the hardware is the same.

Example 2
HDD, harddisks have higher capacities, it's just the firmware that will say if you got a lower or higher capacity one.

Example 3
Audio gear, for instance an AV amplifier, they just add a few chips/resistors/capacitors and a different case/powerunit and you pay 100s more for it, the mainboard is the same as the lower quality one.
 
Its funny how a 70K vehicle you might buy in 2019 will be ready for the scrapyard in 5-7 years because the technology package will be outdated with no way to upgrade.
 
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$200 for a software update? That’s almost as stupid as the airlines charging you $250 to change a ticket, and then having them sell the seat to someone else. Almost!
 
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Celeron said:
I will play devil's advocate here and say that it costs time, and money to maintain CarPlay support. Every year Apple is cranking out new phones and new versions of iOS. Cars are typically around for a long time, and I'm willing to bet that the fee is partially to offset the cost of constantly having to test newer phones and iOS versions. You know a luxury car buyer is going to give the manufacturer absolute hell if CarPlay stops working in 2022 on his 2018 Lexus just because he got a new iPhone or a new iOS version came out.

edit: At least it's a one time $199 fee and not BMW's recurring $90/year fee.
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No, there is no need for the car or head unit company to do anything when Apple updates software. CarPlay is using the screen as a touch monitor, nothing more. Charging for a software update is lame. Should be just automatic at the next service.
Mazda charges because it has to take the console apart and install hardware. Fair enough.
The more interesting Q, is if Toyota can just add carplay to its vehicles with a software patch, why wasn’t it there in the first place?
 
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VW are the same. The system in my 2016 Golf has the hardware for CarPlay. But to enable it you have to get an “activation key” from VW and have them install it. (Apparently it’s tied to the VIN and has to be authenticated at VW’s end or something.) The charge for the activation key? £250! Given that my car already has Bluetooth for phone calls and music and it already has a nav system, it’s a lot of money for very little extra functionality. I’d rather keep hold of my money thanks.
 
tkukoc said:
"Lexus says that new software will be installed on the Lexus Multimedia System to add the CarPlay feature, and a Lexus dealer is required to install the update."

If they are required to install it then why should anyone pay money for this? Not to mention it's CarPlay.. this should absolutely be universal. Such a scam!
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Sorry mate I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick.

It’s not that Lexus dealers must install an update on every Lexus in their area or anything, it’s that you need a Lexus dealer to install the update, because you can’t do it yourself at home. That’s what is meant by the phrase ‘a Lexus dealer is requirement to install the update’
 
Have a 2015 GS F-Sport. Seriously, complete BS that it doesn't support my car too. It's the same damn head unit as the newer models from what I can tell, other than newer software, there isn't any difference between my head unit and the head units in the cars I get for loaners.

I guess I need to "upgrade my car" to something that isn't actively anti-Apple carplay.
 
I just bought my wife a 2018 Avalon, and after a lifetime of driving old cars, I still can't get my head around the idea of paying $400 for a spare fob instead of $5 for a spare ignition key.
 
I'm not sure which is more ridiculous - how few new cars have CarPlay after five years or how bad most other car interfaces are. I bought an Impreza instead of a Crosstrek largely to get CarPlay.
 
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ls1dreams said:
No IS or GS models? Blah.

Frustrating that the Honda Accord even back in 2016 had this.
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Or RX.

Though I laugh at people complaining about a couple of hundred bucks. I remember paying thousands extra for navigation and entertainment systems years ago....all of which were rendered useless by iphones and tablets. $200 is no big deal.

I would take Carplay in a minute over the poor Lexus infotainment system, especially for navigation.
 
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This is why Tesla is going to eat every traditional car manufacturer’s lunch. They think and operate like a tech company where free updates improve the existing hardware. This is what people have come to expect and Lexus, BMW and others haven’t been paying attention.
 
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macpro2000 said:
It's pretty sad really. My 2016 RX450h was $66k new and even the new 2019s still don't have CarPlay. Luckily I found a unit that adds it to my system (12.3" screen) without having to deal with the dealership. Took all of 2 hours of my time. If you want reliability, it's obvious you want a Lexus. If you want a fun car with cool new features, look elsewhere (BMW).
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Do you happen to know if there is an after-market unit made for the 2016 RX 350?
 
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