Next Gen CarPlay: What You Need to Know About Apple's Latest In-Car System

I still remember the first time I saw a Tesla's massive vertical screen. It completely changed how I thought about car interiors.

Now Apple's doing something similar with next gen CarPlay, and it's one of the most exciting developments in automotive tech.

Key Takeaway

• Next gen CarPlay (CarPlay Ultra) extends across all your car's displays, including the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel
• Only Aston Martin vehicles currently support it as of late 2025, with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis committed for 2026
• Several major automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, and Volvo have rejected the technology
• You'll need an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5+ and a compatible vehicle to use it
• CarPlay Ultra lets you control climate, drive modes, and vehicle settings directly through the Apple interface

When Apple first teased next generation Apple CarPlay at WWDC 2022, I thought we'd see it everywhere by now.

Turns out I was way off.

What Makes Next Gen CarPlay Different

Standard CarPlay has been around since 2014, mirroring your iPhone apps onto your car's center screen.

It's always felt a bit limited, though.

You'd use CarPlay for navigation and music, then have to exit back to your car's system to adjust the temperature or change drive modes. That constant switching between interfaces? Gets old fast.

Next gen CarPlay changes everything.

Multi-Screen Integration

The biggest upgrade is that CarPlay Ultra spreads across every screen in your car.

Your speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and temperature displays now use Apple's interface instead of your car manufacturer's graphics. Navigation information flows smoothly from the center screen to your instrument cluster.

I've seen this in action in an Aston Martin DBX. Watching Apple Maps directions appear right in front of the steering wheel while the center screen showed the full map felt surprisingly natural. No more glancing between screens.

Direct Vehicle Control

Here's where it gets really interesting.

You can now control your car's climate system, radio (including AM, FM, and SiriusXM), and even advanced features like drive modes and suspension settings without leaving CarPlay.

Everything lives in one interface. When you need to adjust the heat, you just tap the climate widget on the CarPlay screen. No menu diving, no system switching.

According to J.D. Power's 2024 study, 25% of drivers complained about how frustrating it is to switch between audio sources in their cars. CarPlay Ultra eliminates that problem entirely.

Custom Themes

Apple worked with each automaker to create custom themes that match their brand identity.

Aston Martin's version includes a "Power Bar" design that visualizes engine metrics in a way that feels distinctly Aston Martin, not generic Apple. You also get classic twin-dial layouts and simpler options.

Apple didn't just slap iOS onto every car – each brand maintains its personality while getting Apple's superior interface.

Which Cars Actually Have Next Gen CarPlay

This is where things get… complicated.

Current Availability

As of November 2025, only Aston Martin vehicles support CarPlay Ultra.

If you order a new Aston Martin DBX, DB12, Vantage, or Vanquish in the US or Canada, you get CarPlay Ultra as standard equipment. Existing 2024 DB12 owners and newer Aston Martin models can get it through a software update at the dealership.

That's it. That's the entire list right now.

For those with older Aston Martin models, we offer wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto modules that bring modern smartphone integration to vehicles from 2015-2018.

Coming Soon (Maybe)

Apple announced that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis would support next generation Apple CarPlay, but we still don't have specific dates.

The Hyundai Ioniq 3, expected in the first half of 2026, will likely be the first mainstream vehicle with CarPlay Ultra. This matters because unlike Aston Martin's $195,000+ price tags, the Ioniq 3 should cost around $35,000-$50,000.

Porsche remains committed to CarPlay Ultra but hasn't announced when it'll arrive. In the meantime, Porsche owners can upgrade their existing vehicles with our Porsche Apple CarPlay & Android Auto modules.

The Great Manufacturer Rebellion

Here's the surprising part.

Multiple major automakers that originally committed to CarPlay Ultra in 2022 have completely backed out:

• Mercedes-Benz said no
• Audi said no
• BMW said no
• Volvo said no
• Polestar said no
• Renault said no
• Ford backed away

Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius put it bluntly: "I fundamentally believe that the holistic customer experience is best done by us. To give up the whole cockpit head unit and everything to somebody else, the answer is no."

A Renault executive reportedly told Apple directly: "Don't try to invade our own systems."

For owners of these brands who still want modern CarPlay functionality, aftermarket solutions exist. We offer wireless CarPlay modules for Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Volvo that integrate with factory systems.

Why Are Automakers Rejecting CarPlay Ultra

The reasons are more complex than just stubbornness.

Brand Identity Concerns

Car manufacturers invest billions developing their infotainment systems. Mercedes has MBUX, BMW has iDrive, Audi has MMI.

These systems express brand identity through design, interface philosophy, and feature focus. When you sit in a Mercedes, everything from the ambient lighting to the screen graphics says "Mercedes."

CarPlay Ultra replaces all of that with Apple's design language. Even with custom themes, automakers worry their cars will feel identical to every other CarPlay Ultra vehicle.

Data and Revenue

Modern cars generate massive amounts of data about your driving habits, preferred destinations, music tastes, and more.

With standard CarPlay, automakers retain some of this data. With CarPlay Ultra controlling everything, much more data flows through Apple's system instead.

General Motors explicitly cited data control and subscription revenue when they removed even standard CarPlay from their new electric vehicles. They want to capture subscription revenue from navigation updates, entertainment services, and connected features.

If drivers use Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple services, automakers lose those revenue opportunities.

Technical Complexity

CarPlay Ultra requires deep integration with vehicle electrical systems, digital gauge clusters, climate controls, and autonomous driving features.

This creates more opportunities for software bugs, compatibility issues, and system failures. Manufacturers worry about support burdens and warranty claims when they share control with Apple.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company expects to develop its own custom software rather than adopt CarPlay Ultra wholesale, suggesting concerns about the initial implementation quality.

What You Need to Use Next Gen CarPlay

The requirements are straightforward but might exclude some people.

iPhone Requirements

You need an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 or later.

iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone X, and earlier models won't work with CarPlay Ultra regardless of software updates. This excludes a substantial number of iPhone users who haven't upgraded recently.

The iPhone 12 requirement likely reflects genuine technical needs. CarPlay Ultra's complex multi-screen rendering and real-time vehicle integration requires the improvements that came with iPhone 12.

Vehicle Requirements

You need a compatible vehicle, which currently means a 2025+ Aston Martin with the next-generation infotainment system.

Older Aston Martins can't get CarPlay Ultra through software updates alone because they lack the necessary hardware.

However, if you own a vehicle from brands like Toyota, Honda, Jeep, or Ford, you can still add wireless CarPlay through aftermarket head units and modules.

Wireless Connection Required

Unlike standard CarPlay which works wired or wirelessly, CarPlay Ultra requires wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

You can't plug in with a USB cable. This wireless-only approach means potential battery drain issues and connection stability concerns in areas with dense Wi-Fi interference.

Real-World Performance: The Good and Bad

Reviews from journalists who tested CarPlay Ultra in Aston Martin vehicles show mixed feedback.

What Works Well

The infotainment screen integration is excellent. Managing climate controls, drive modes, and vehicle settings directly through CarPlay feels significantly better than switching between systems.

Navigation across multiple displays works smoothly. Seeing upcoming turns on the instrument cluster while the center screen shows the full map is genuinely useful.

Widget functionality provides quick access to weather, calendar events, and vehicle diagnostics without menu diving.

Current Limitations

The instrument cluster shows noticeable lag when displaying rapidly changing metrics like tachometer readings during aggressive acceleration. One reviewer testing an Aston Martin DB12's 671-horsepower V8 noted the tachometer "displayed noticeable lag when ripping that twin-turbo V8 up through the revs."

Initial connection takes 30 seconds while your iPhone downloads vehicle-specific software. Later connections are faster, but that first-time delay feels long when you just want to start driving.

Third-party navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps can't display on the instrument cluster. Only Apple Maps gets that integration, which frustrates people who prefer alternatives.

Battery drain from wireless CarPlay Ultra is significant. Users report around 15% battery loss per hour, meaning long road trips require in-vehicle charging.

Some testers experienced complete system failures where both the infotainment screen and gauge cluster went black during extended testing. Rebooting restored functionality, but this kind of failure is concerning for a production system.

How Next Gen CarPlay Compares to Standard CarPlay

Standard CarPlay continues getting better alongside CarPlay Ultra's development.

iOS 26 Improvements

Apple released iOS 26 in June 2025, bringing several CarPlay Ultra features to standard CarPlay:

• Widgets for weather, calendar, and music controls
• Live Activities for real-time notifications
• Improved lane guidance and hazard alerts
• AirPlay video streaming when parked
• Better messaging features with pinned conversations

These improvements mean standard CarPlay users aren't completely left behind. You get many interface upgrades without needing a CarPlay Ultra-compatible vehicle.

The Key Differences

CarPlay Ultra's multi-screen integration, instrument cluster control, and direct vehicle system management remain exclusive advantages.

If you're happy with standard CarPlay and don't need those specific features, the current generation still works extremely well. According to J.D. Power, CarPlay users score 840 on a 1,000-point satisfaction scale compared to 805 for manufacturer systems.

That 35-point gap shows people overwhelmingly prefer CarPlay to native infotainment, even without Ultra features.

For vehicles without factory CarPlay, we offer premium Android head units and Tesla-style screens that bring wireless CarPlay and Android Auto to older models.

The Consumer Demand Reality

The data on consumer preference is overwhelming.

40% of Americans who drove or rode in a car recently have access to CarPlay or Android Auto. Among those with access, 83% actively use it.

A McKinsey study found that 45% of new car buyers wouldn't purchase vehicles lacking CarPlay or Android Auto support. When your infotainment system becomes a primary purchase decision factor alongside price and safety, that's significant.

Apple internally cites data showing 79% of car buyers want CarPlay in their vehicles.

Yet despite this clear consumer demand, manufacturers are resisting CarPlay Ultra specifically because it goes too far beyond the entertainment and navigation functions consumers clearly value.

What This Means for You Right Now

If you're shopping for a car in 2025, don't expect next gen CarPlay availability unless you're buying an Aston Martin.

For Aston Martin Buyers

If you're purchasing a new Aston Martin, you'll get CarPlay Ultra standard. The implementation is impressive despite some rough edges, and it improves the driving experience compared to switching between systems.

For Everyone Else

Standard CarPlay remains excellent and continues improving through iOS updates. The iOS 26 features make it better than ever.

If you're specifically holding out for CarPlay Ultra before buying a car, you might be waiting until late 2026 or 2027 for mainstream availability through Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis.

Porsche could arrive sooner but will cost significantly more than mainstream options.

For those who want to upgrade their current vehicle with modern CarPlay functionality, explore our Apple CarPlay & Android Auto modules designed for specific makes and models.

The Realistic Timeline

Based on current commitments and manufacturer statements, here's what to expect:

• 2025: Aston Martin exclusive
• Early 2026: Possibly Hyundai Ioniq 3
• Mid-to-late 2026: Kia and Genesis models
• 2027: Potentially Porsche and a few others
• 2028+: Broader availability if manufacturer resistance softens

The Future of In-Car Technology

The tension between Apple's vision and manufacturer resistance will define automotive infotainment for years.

Three Possible Futures

Consumer preference could eventually force manufacturers to adopt CarPlay Ultra despite current resistance. If Hyundai's implementation succeeds and drives sales, competitive pressure might change corporate positions.

Manufacturers could double down on their own systems, investing heavily to finally match CarPlay's user experience quality. Some companies are partnering with Google, Qualcomm, and Amazon to develop competitive alternatives.

A middle ground might emerge where CarPlay Ultra remains a luxury feature while mainstream vehicles stick with standard CarPlay or manufacturer systems.

The Electric Vehicle Factor

Electric vehicles might speed up CarPlay Ultra adoption faster than traditional cars.

EV owners use in-car screens more for battery management, charging optimization, and efficiency monitoring. The advanced interfaces required for EV-specific features might make manufacturers more willing to adopt CarPlay Ultra's complete integration.

Hyundai positioning the Ioniq 3 as their first CarPlay Ultra vehicle supports this theory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is next gen CarPlay?

Next gen CarPlay (officially called CarPlay Ultra) extends Apple's iPhone interface across all displays in your car, including the instrument cluster, and allows direct control of vehicle functions like climate and drive modes. It requires an iPhone 12 or newer, iOS 18.5+, and a compatible vehicle.

Which cars have next generation Apple CarPlay?

As of November 2025, only Aston Martin vehicles (DBX, DB12, Vantage, Vanquish) support CarPlay Ultra. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have committed to adding it in 2026, likely starting with the Hyundai Ioniq 3.

Why are car manufacturers rejecting next gen CarPlay?

Automakers reject CarPlay Ultra because it requires giving up control over the entire dashboard interface, which affects brand identity, reduces data collection opportunities, eliminates subscription revenue potential, and creates technical support complexities. Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Volvo, and others have explicitly declined to adopt it.

Can I add next gen CarPlay to my current car?

No, CarPlay Ultra requires specific hardware that only certain new vehicles have. Even newer Aston Martin models need the brand's latest infotainment system to support it. Standard CarPlay works with most modern vehicles, but upgrading to CarPlay Ultra requires purchasing a compatible new vehicle.

Is next gen CarPlay worth waiting for?

For most buyers, no. Standard CarPlay continues improving and satisfies the vast majority of smartphone integration needs. Only consider waiting if you specifically want instrument cluster integration and unified vehicle control, and you're willing to potentially wait until 2026-2027 for mainstream availability in brands like Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis.