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You may think Apple CarPlay is the next best thing in in-car infotainment. The iOS software connects your phone to your car. It makes certain apps available on your vehicle’s stereo-unit screen. You can check your calendar, listen to texts, and even talk to Siri in your car. For many car shoppers, Apple CarPlay is a must-have. But you don’t have to buy a new car for this Apple software. Here are some gently used cars available with this cutting-edge software.

2014-2016: Ferrari, Kia, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors were early CarPlay adaptors

2014 Volvo prototype, oldest car with Apple CarPlay | FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images
2014 Volvo prototype with Apple CarPlay | FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

The first cars to integrate Apple CarPlay were ther Ferrari FF and Kia Soul. Some Hyundais followed suit in 2015. In 2016, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen integrated Apple CarPlay across most of their fleets. If you want a 2016 or later model with CarPlay, these are good brands to consider. You can read more about the oldest cars with Apple CarPlay. But in 2016, two major American manufacturers–Chrysler and Ford–as well as Audi and BMW, still did not offer CarPlay.

2017: Audi, BMW, Dodge, and Ford add CarPlay to many vehicles

A used car with Apple CarPlay’s phone call app | Will Ireland/MacFormat Magazine/Future via Getty Images
Apple CarPlay’s phone call app | Will Ireland/MacFormat Magazine/Future via Getty Images

Some luxury brands got on board with Apple CarPlay in 2017. Aston Martin offered the software on every model, starting in 2017. Porsche also offered CarPlay on every model starting in 2017.

Audi was one large brand to adopt CarPlay on almost all vehicles in 2017. These vehicles included the 2017 Audi A3, Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi A6, Audi A7, Audi Q7, Audi R8, and Audi TT.

BMW was another large brand to roll out Apple CarPlay for many of its models. Until 2019, BMW only offered CarPlay as a premium feature and charged a monthly subscription fee to allow drivers to access the software. Early BMWs with available Apple CarPlay included the 2017 BMW 2 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X5, and BMW X6.

Stellantis first began to offer Apple CarPlay on some of its cars in 2017. First-year Apple CarPlay options included the 2017 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Fiat 500, Fiat 500L, and Jeep Compass.

Ford also joined the Apple CarPlay party in 2017, offering the software across most of its model range. You could get CarPlay on the 2017 Ford C-Max, Ford Edge, Ford Escape, Ford Expedition, Ford Explorer, Ford F-Series trucks, Ford Fiesta, Ford Flex, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, Ford Mustang, Ford Taurus, and Ford Transit. The only model Ford would add CarPlay to later was the EcoSport (2018).

When Ford added Apple CarPlay to its own vehicles, it also integrated the software into the entire Lincoln fleet. You could get CarPlay on the 2017 Lincoln Continental, Lincoln MKC, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKX, Lincoln MKZ, and Lincoln Navigator. When Lincoln first began to offer the Nautilus and Corsair, they came loaded with Apple CarPlay as well.

Some brands offered a single vehicle with Apple CarPlay in 2017. These were the 2017 Acura NSX and 2017 Subaru Impreza.

2017: Kia, GM, Honda, Hyundai and others expand Apple CarPlay availability to additional models

Stereo head unit upgrade adds Apple CarPlay | Britta Pedersen/picture alliance via Getty Images
Aftermarket radio offering Apple CarPlay | Britta Pedersen/picture alliance via Getty Images

Kia was one of the earliest adopters of Apple CarPlay, offering it on select 2015 models. But in 2017, Kia expanded CarPlay software to much more of its fleet. These included the 2017 Kia Cadenza, Kia Forte, Kia Niro, Kia Sorento, and Kia Sportage.

In 2017, Ferrari added CarPlay to the GTC5Lusso. Lamborghini offered its first CarPlay vehicle: the Centenario. Bentley built its first car with CarPlay, the 2017 Bently Bentayga. Maserati also featured its first CarPlay integration in the 2017 Maserati Gibli, Levante, and Quattroporte. Mercedes-Benz added the software to the GLS.

In 2017, General Motors expanded Apple CarPlay availability on its fleet. The manufacturer added CarPlay on the 2017 Buick Encore and Buick Envision, the 2017 Cadillac XT5, the 2017 GMC Acadia, the 2017 Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Sonic, Chevrolet Trax, and all-new Chevy Bolt.

Honda expanded Apple CarPlay to some of its lineup: the 2017 Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot, and Honda Ridgeline.

Hyundai also expanded its Apple CarPlay availability to include its 2017 Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Ioniq, Hyundai Kona, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

For the 2017 model year, Mitsubishi added Apple CarPlay software to the Outlander and i-MiEV. Nissan added Apple CarPlay to the 2017 Nissan Maxima and Murano. Finally, Volvo added Apple CarPlay to the 2017 S90 and V90.

You can always upgrade an older car with Apple CarPlay

Aftermarket radio offering Apple CarPlay in a used car | Will Ireland/MacFormat Magazine/Future via Getty Images
Aftermarket radio offering Apple CarPlay | Will Ireland/MacFormat Magazine/Future via Getty Images

It may be cheaper to buy a reliable used car and upgrade it to have Apple CarPlay. This is possible because several car stereo manufacturers offer stereo head units with an Apple CarPlay enabled touchscreen. Find the best aftermarket Apple CarPlay radios to install in an older car.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.