**CarPlay Ultra: The Future of In-Car Connectivity**
In the previous year, Apple officially introduced CarPlay Ultra, the next-gen edition of its well-known in-car interface, first hinted at WWDC 2022. CarPlay Ultra started its rollout in May 2025, initially accessible to Aston Martin owners in the U.S. and Canada. As the automotive sector progresses, many are curious about which additional manufacturers will adopt this innovative platform.
### Next-Gen CarPlay Brands
In December 2023, Apple announced that Porsche and Aston Martin would be the initial automakers to adopt CarPlay Ultra beginning in 2024. However, this schedule was subsequently postponed, with Apple affirming in January 2025 that the next-gen CarPlay was still under development. Presently, Apple has not disclosed a timeline for when CarPlay Ultra will become available through other manufacturers, nor does it keep a specific list of automakers dedicated to the platform on its website.
At the original announcement of CarPlay Ultra, Apple noted that various brands had pledged to endorse the platform. By May 2025, three additional partners were included: Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. However, some companies have retracted their support since then. Mercedes-Benz, initially listed by Apple, dropped its plans for next-gen CarPlay in 2024. Other manufacturers, such as Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault, have also chosen to withdraw, despite prior assurances.
As of April 2026, the following manufacturers intend to support CarPlay Ultra:
– Acura
– Aston Martin
– Ford
– Genesis
– Honda
– Hyundai
– Infiniti
– Jaguar
– Kia
– Land Rover
– Lincoln
– Nissan
– Porsche
### Hyundai’s Plans
Speculation indicates that Hyundai’s forthcoming IONIQ 3 electric vehicle might feature CarPlay Ultra. Reports suggest that at least one significant new Hyundai/Kia model will debut with CarPlay Ultra in the latter half of 2026. While Hyundai has not validated this capability for the IONIQ 3, the vehicle is anticipated to be priced lower than the luxury Aston Martin, starting around £25,000 ($33,700).
### Ford’s Plans
Ford has been identified as a collaborator for CarPlay Ultra, but the automaker has conveyed concerns regarding the platform’s initial implementation. In a recent discussion, Ford CEO Jim Farley acknowledged the company’s dedication to Apple but suggested that they were not entirely content with the first iteration of CarPlay Ultra. This implies that while Ford is contemplating support, they are apprehensive about the platform’s current condition.
### Conclusion
At this time, the outlook for CarPlay Ultra remains ambiguous, with numerous manufacturers retracting their support and others still assessing the platform. Apple has not yet provided a detailed list of partners or a definitive timeline for broader release. For those interested in the latest updates, monitoring Apple’s announcements and automotive news will be crucial.
For more in-depth details regarding the features of CarPlay Ultra, you can consult dedicated coverage on the subject.