Used car buying tips
Don’t stick to lemons. Here’s what you should check, ask, and avoid before buying a used car.
- According to Apple, when Apple CarPlay was first introduced, only a few cars adopted it.
- Only one vehicle in the 2014 model year comes with CarPlay.
- It didn’t take long for CarPlay to spread to other companies’ cars.
Apple CarPlay debuted in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular technology developments in the automotive industry. This sophisticated infotainment solution is featured in vehicles ranging from the Rolls-Royce Cullinan to the Toyota Prius.
But if you’re looking for a used car and consider CarPlay compatibility to be an important factor when shopping, here’s how far back you can go into the deal and still get CarPlay.
Because this technology can be retrofitted to many vehicles through aftermarket infotainment systems, this list is limited to older vehicles that come directly from the manufacturer with Apple CarPlay.
What is Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay is an in-car infotainment system developed by Apple, the maker of the iPhone. CarPlay uses a touchscreen system similar to the iPhone home screen that allows users to connect their phone and use apps like wayfinding, music, and messaging through the car.
The company says CarPlay was originally marketed by Apple in 2013 as “iOS in the Car.” By 2014, the technology was rebranded to “CarPlay” and was unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, where some automakers were the first to receive the product.
2014 Apple CarPlay Compatibility
Keep an eye on Kia, Hyundai, and…Ferrari
According to Apple’s online list of vehicles available for CarPlay, the oldest vehicle available for CarPlay is the 2014 Kia Soul (yes, the Kia hamster car).
The 2014 Soul was one of the first models to come with CarPlay after Apple launched it the same year. After the Soul, Kia quickly adapted CarPlay to the 2015 Optima, Sedona, and Soul EV.
Along with Kia, Hyundai (Kia’s parent company) was also an early adopter of CarPlay.
Hyundai CarPlay is available in the 2015 Sonata and Azera.
According to Apple, this may not be the used car deal you’re looking for, but Ferrari was also one of the first companies to adopt CarPlay. Some 2014 Ferraris come equipped with Apple CarPlay, and the 2014 Ferrari FF served as a technology demonstration vehicle at the 2014 auto show where CarPlay first debuted. Most 2016 and newer Ferrari models come standard with CarPlay.
Like Ferrari, by 2016 many car manufacturers had taken notice of CarPlay and started incorporating it into their products. Large companies such as Volkswagen, General Motors, Honda, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Suzuki began offering CarPlay in their vehicles in 2016.
Since then, the list of automakers offering CarPlay has only grown, with Apple estimating that more than 800 vehicles are compatible.
