Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Where Are They Now?

If you’re tired of having a tangle of phone cords on your old car’s console, there’s a good chance that your next set of wheels will let you cut the cords — both for charging and for integration into the dashboard screen of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Each recent model year has brought more vehicles at more affordable prices that offer optional or even standard wireless integration of these phone-based information, navigation, communication and entertainment systems, often along with wireless charging.

Related: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Vs. Native Car Tech: What’s More Distracting?

Availability of wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto has expanded significantly since our list was last published in 2022. Below is the full list of model-year 2023 cars that offer wireless smartphone integration, plus more details on the current state and future for these wireless features.

Which Cars Offer Wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for the 2023 Model Year?

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Acura: Integra, MDX, RDX
• Alfa Romeo: Tonale
• Audi: A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, E-Tron, E-Tron GT, Q4 e-Tron, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8
• Bentley: Bentayga
• BMW: 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, iX, i4, i7, XM, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, Z4
• Buick: Enclave, Encore GX, Envision
• Cadillac: CT4, CT5, Escalade/Escalade ESV, Lyriq, XT4, XT5, XT6
• Chevrolet: Blazer, Bolt EV/Bolt EUV, Camaro, Colorado, Corvette, Equinox, Malibu, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban/Tahoe, Trailblazer, Traverse
• Chrysler: Pacifica, Voyager
• Dodge: Durango, Hornet
• Ford: Bronco, Edge, Escape, E-Transit, Expedition/Expedition Max, F-150, F-150 Lightning, Super Duty F-250/F-350, Mustang Mach-E
• GMC: Acadia, Canyon, Hummer EV Pickup, Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Terrain, Yukon/Yukon XL
• Honda: Accord/Accord Hybrid, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Pilot
• Hyundai: Elantra/Elantra Hybrid (excluding Elantra N), Kona/Kona Electric, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Tucson/Tucson Hybrid/Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, Venue
• Infiniti: Q50, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX80
• Jaguar: E-Pace, F-Pace, F-Type, I-Pace, XF
• Jeep: Compass, Grand Cherokee/Grand Cherokee L, Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer
• Kia: Carnival, Forte, K5, Niro, Rio, Sorento
• Lamborghini: Urus
• Land Rover: Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar
• Lexus: ES, GX, LS, LX, NX, RX, RZ, UX
• Lincoln: Corsair, Nautilus, Navigator/Navigator L
• Lucid: Air
• Maserati: Ghibli, Grecale, Levante, Quattroporte
• Mazda: CX-50, MX-5 Miata
• Mercedes-Benz: C-Class, EQE Sedan/EQE SUV, EQS Sedan/EQS SUV, GLC-Class, S-Class
• Mini: Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Hardtop
• Mitsubishi: Outlander/Outlander PHEV
• Nissan: Altima, Ariya, Frontier, Titan/Titan XD
• Porsche: 911, Cayenne, Panamera, Taycan
• Ram: 1500, 2500/3500
• Subaru: Ascent, Legacy, Outback, Solterra
• Toyota: bZ4X, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Crown, Highlander, Mirai, Prius/Prius Prime, RAV4, Sequoia, Tundra, Venza
• VinFast: VF 8, VF 9
• Volkswagen: Arteon, Atlas/Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4, Jetta, Taos, Tiguan

Wireless Apple CarPlay Only

• Nissan: Armada, Pathfinder, Rogue
• Porsche: Macan
• Toyota: GR Supra

Specifics to Note

At their introductions, the systems from Apple and Google required a USB media connection to work. The Bluetooth connectivity that was becoming standard for hands-free calling was not robust enough to handle the data transfer required for these phone systems, which override your car’s multimedia features to offer entertainment, navigation, communication and digital assistant applications. More recent wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto has required further upgrades to the car’s infotainment hardware and software.

The wireless rollout came gradually at first, starting with wireless Apple CarPlay from BMW for the 2017 model year, then other premium vehicles and select aftermarket multimedia systems. But the appeal of no cords was clear, and wireless charging has increased the appetite for untethered phone integration. To be sure, many new vehicles still require a USB cord, and even if wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is offered, it often is optional or only on more expensive trim levels. But the same was also true at first for Bluetooth calling and, more recently, wired smartphone integration.

The Fine Print

As you would expect with fancier features, some of the models listed have wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capability as an option or on higher trim levels. But because adding the wireless capability requires changes to the multimedia system, this rule of thumb is not always true, and availability can depend on when a particular system has been redone.

Most notably, Hyundai has wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto with some more recent base systems that have a smaller display, but it’s not available with the big-screened and otherwise more full-featured systems on higher trim levels and models — though it surely will come with redesigns.

Also, many brands’ models have different tech in some variants of the model, such as hybrid or plug-in hybrids, so wireless availability might vary across the line. You’ll want to research the capability for the specific variant or trim level on your shopping list.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto FAQs

Without getting totally geeked out, here are answers to a few of the questions about wireless rather than wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

How do wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect to the car and the internet?

To replace the USB wired connection, wireless smartphone connectivity uses specific upgrades in the car’s multimedia system for a closed Wi-Fi connection with your phone. But in most cases, your phone still is using its cellular data connection to communicate with the internet services (and could incur data costs depending on your phone plan).

Do they require my vehicle to have a Wi-Fi hot spot subscription?

No. On-board hot spots are separate features. They let your devices go online using an onboard modem and its cellular data connectivity, which generally requires its own paid data subscription after a trial period.

What about phone battery life?

Data-intensive Apple CarPlay and Android Auto drain your phone battery. That’s not an issue with a modern wired USB connection that also is charging the phone. A wireless charging pad in the vehicle is an essential complement to wireless phone integration or you’d be plugging a USB charging cord anyway.

Can I add wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to a vehicle that does not have them?

Not easily. Some aftermarket multimedia systems have them, though it’s a drastic solution that might be more appealing in cases where an older car has no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at all. There are also a variety of aftermarket “dongles,” which are small devices that plug into a car’s USB media port and connect wirelessly to your phone — though a quick survey of online reviews will reveal users have had mixed experiences.

Is wireless the equal of a wired connection?

Mostly yes. Generally, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have no more lag time and are robust enough for equivalent quality for music and other uses. Typically, they rarely lose the connection, though as with most tech, a wired connection is the reliability choice.

More From Cars.com:

• What Is Apple CarPlay?
• What Is Android Auto?
• Android Auto Gets Easier on the Eyes
• Do Apple CarPlay, Android Auto Keep Data From Your Smartphone?
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Vs. Native Car Tech: What’s More Distracting?
• More Technology News

The Party Might Not Last

On the horizon is an auto industry trend that could not only derail progress toward wireless integration, but also derail the availability of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto at all. Why? Follow the money. Automakers — watching the development of profitable subscription models for software, entertainment and even printer ink — would like to make their vehicle owners a source of such continuing subscription income. There also is money to be made on all the personal data that could be mined from your vehicle use. Letting your phone power the infotainment screen transfers those potential benefits and control to Apple or Google. BMW briefly tried to charge owners for using Apple CarPlay, but that drew protest.

A more direct approach is to simply not allow smartphone integration at all, which Tesla has always done and EV newcomer Rivian does not. Now, GM — a pioneer in smartphone integration — has announced it will drop Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in its upcoming electric vehicles (while enlisting the help of Google in developing a new built-in vehicle navigation and infotainment system).

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