Apple Carplay is one of the best features new cars have. With technology constantly evolving and improving, it is only natural for infotainment centers in vehicles to keep improving. If you are in the market for a new SUV (or just curious), you may be wondering which SUVs come standard with Apple Carplay. Because there are over 100 SUVs in production today, we will look at the most popular SUVs from the best-selling manufacturers.
These are the most popular 2021 SUVs that comes standard with Apple
Full-Size:
- Jeep Cherokee
Mid-Size:
- Acura MDX
- Chevy Traverse
- Dodge Durango
- Ford Edge
- GMC Acadia
- Honda Pilot
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Infiniti QX60
- Kia Telluride
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Subaru Outback
- Toyota Highlander
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Volvo XC40
What year cars have Apple CarPlay? Can you add Apple CarPlay to any vehicle? What is Apple CarPlay, and how does it work? We have done the research and compiled the information here to answer these questions and more. Keep reading below to learn more!
Full-Size SUVs
Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee also starts at an affordable $27,000 and comes with everything you love about a Jeep. Its 2.4L engine allows the Jeep to excel on the highway generating 31 miles per gallon. It also comes with premium audio so that you can utilize Apple Carplay to its fullest extent.
Mid-Size SUVs
Acura MDX
The MDX is a high-quality SUV with a sleek design meant for maximum comfort and great performance. This premium model starts at around $46,000 and goes up from there if you add on features. Luckily, Apple Carplay is not a feature you have to add to this vehicle or any of the others listed in this article. This model comes with 290-HP and a V6 engine, giving you lots of power behind the wheel of this SUV.
Chevy Traverse
The Chevy Traverse is a much bigger SUV and starts at a much more affordable price of around $30,000. The Traverse can seat up to 8 people because of its size, making it a great choice for families looking for space but not wanting to go big by purchasing a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban.
Dodge Durango
The Dodge Durango starts at $32,000 and is a powerhouse. Its overall design is made to look tough, but you can customize it for speed, power, or whatever else you may desire. While the Durango only seats five people, its compact size allows it to drive quicker than its larger-bodied competition.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is another mid-sized SUV starting at about $32,000. The Edge shines in its fuel economy, getting 21 in the city and up to 29 on the highway. Because of its smaller size, the Edge seats five people, just like the Durango. This vehicle also comes standard with an array of technology features you usually see on Ford vehicles, which is a plus for anyone who loves technology.
GMC Acadia
The Acadia is borderline a luxury SUV because of its advanced features offered but affordable price tag. Starting at $32,000, the Acadia comes standard with three rows of seating and a heads-up display so you can monitor your speed without ever having to take your eyes off the road.
Honda Pilot
Honda has been working on its interior features in recent years and has added a lot to the Honda Pilot. Starting at $32,000, you can expect seating for eight people, all the features of a new car in 2021, including Carplay and even a multi-angle rearview camera set-up.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai has been making quality vehicles at an ultra-affordable price for years. This year is no different. Starting at just $27,000, this off-road-ready vehicle comes standard with LED headlights, a luxurious interior, and many other features. Whether on the highway or a dirt road, this SUV is ready for anything.
Infiniti QX60
Infiniti makes amazing vehicles. With that comes a heftier price tag. This SUV starts at about $47,000 but provides the features to make up for the cost. High-quality leather, wood grain interior, three rows of seating, and more means that you will be able to ride in comfort.
Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride is another affordable yet luxurious SUV, and it seats up to 8. The LX trim level comes with a 3.8L engine, meaning you will get a lot of power and speed out of this SUV. While it is bigger than most, this is a good sign for people looking to carry a large crew of people or haul large loads of stuff.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is another sporty yet utility-ready SUV. Starting at $32,000, you have many options to choose from, including larger displays and even dual displays for the backseats embedded in the front seat headrests. The Pathfinder tows up to 6,000 pounds and packs a punch thanks to its 284 horsepower.
Subaru Outback
The Outback is one of the most popular SUVs for a reason. It is possibly one of the most affordable SUVs starting at $26,795. Subaru Outbacks are equipped with all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance because they are built for adventures. They also get up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway, making them an intelligent choice on or off the road.
Toyota Highlander
Toyota is known as one of the most reliable car brands in the industry. The Highlander is no exception. While this SUV starts at $35,000, its bigger body allows for more space, seating, and power. Toyota even offers a trim level that makes the vehicle a hybrid, getting upwards of 35 miles per gallon. There is also an all-wheel-drive option.
Volkswagen Atlas
The Atlas is another larger mid-size with lots of features. It starts at $32,000 and comes with a 2.0L turbo engine, giving it an extra boost of power on standard models. You can expect advanced features on the interior, and an overall premium feel when you are behind the wheel of this fantastic SUV.
Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 looks like an SUV from the future. From its futuristic lighting to its two-tone color options, this vehicle is a fantastic option. The XC40 also comes with an AWD option and 360-degree camera, making it one of the more advanced SUVs in the most recent line-up.
What Year Cars Have Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay started getting introduced around the year 2016. This was not universal as some car manufacturers did not start including it into specific models of their vehicles until as late as the past year or two.
Honda, Hyundai, and GMC were among the first to start including it in some 2016 models. Luxury brands such as Audi and BMW have started to implement wireless Apple Carplay. Traditionally it Carplay has required a wired connection.
Can You Add Apple CarPlay To Any Car?
In theory, yes. Third-party infotainment centers are trendy and can be installed for only a couple hundred dollars. Buying a head unit with Apple Carplay may cost $300+ to purchase and even more if you want it installed for you. Depending on your vehicle, you may have to pay extra for attachments needed to make a backup camera work, among other features. The total cost will entirely depend on variables such as what kind of unit and features you end up paying for.
What Is Apple CarPlay And How Does It Work?
Apple Carplay is a way for you to project your iPhone onto the larger screen in your vehicle, showing your map or audio information. Apple has come out with software for this feature to work correctly and up to their standard.
With a bigger screen, you can have your navigation up and what is playing on your phone. You can even use the touch screen in the vehicle to interact with your phone's contents. This is a safer alternative to holding your phone and trying to keep your eyes on both the road and the small phone screen.
Summary
Now that we are in 2021, more brands than ever are offering Apple Carplay standard in their vehicles. This is a safer, more fun, and more advanced way of interacting with technology while on the road. While not all cars have this feature yet, you can expect every new car coming out in the next few years to have an ever-improving version of this technology integrated into their infotainment center.
Interested in seeing what other vehicles come with Apple Carplay? Check out these two articles below: