If you’ve been holding off on buying a Mazda because of their lack of Apple CarPlay, the company is set to debut it in Canada this summer with the 2019 CX-9 (and with Android Auto), as announced last month at the New York Auto Show.
Retrofit options will become available starting in the fall.
— mazdacanada (@mazdacanada) April 13, 2018
Mazda Canada also says it will roll out a Genuine Mazda Accessory Retrofit for MAZDA CONNECT systems, starting this fall. This means if you have an eligible vehicle, you will be able to add Apple CarPlay to your older vehicle. No details were provided on what make and model years are eligible and cost, but stay tuned for updates. Mazda’s Connect systems were first made available in 2014.
At the 2018 New York Auto Show, Lexus announced its first CarPlay-supported vehicle, the UX crossover.
Last month, Hyundai Canada added more models for its free Apple CarPlay upgrade program.
Earlier today, a report out of the U.S. cited new car buyers look for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as crucial features nowadays, which is probably the case as well in Canada.
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Carplay was definitely a crucial feature when I got my new car. It’s why I didn’t even give Mazda a chance.
no doubt. No CarPlay, no sale for you!
They actually did pretty good last month. Up 35% i dont think a bunch people care either way about this…It had no bearing when i bought my mazda last year..
I dont understand whats the big deal about this really..C’mon..But they should make it available since people seem to be hyped about it for nothing..
They announced this the day before I almost paid 500 bucks for the shitty Mazda nav system in my new 3 Sport.
Mazda Connect is not “shitty”. I’m all in on Apple and I’m patiently waiting for the Car Play retrofit on my 2017 Mazda 6, but the lack of it certainly wasn’t a make-or-break on my decision to go for a Mazda. Car Play will be great and it’s coming, but it’s only icing on the cake. Beautiful car, great performance, comfort and handling, no regrets. Zoom zoom!