Acura Apple CarPlay: Everything You Need to Know

Apple CarPlay now comes offered in all brand new Acura models. So, if you’re looking to purchase a brand new Acura, you’ll be able to try CarPlay with your iPhone as soon as you leave the lot. And even if you have an older model Acura and you want to retrofit that car to work with CarPlay, you don’t have to worry. You can buy a new stereo and experience CarPlay for yourself.

After all, smartphone integration with today’s new car infotainment systems have boomed in popularity over the past few years, and much of this has to do with CarPlay. CarPlay allows iPhone users to connect their smartphones right to their cars and use the familiar Apple Siri voice command to control music, navigation, texts, and phone calls without ever having to touch the car’s infotainment screen.

What Acura Models Include Apple CarPlay?

If you’re purchasing a brand new Acura, then there’s some good news for you. All new model Acuras come with Apple CarPlay, so Acura has you covered. Acura offers several models that feature Apple CarPlay. The Acura models that come with CarPlay are:

• 2017 – 2019 NSX
• 2018 – 2019 MDX
• 2018 – 2019 TLX
• 2019 ILX
• 2019 RDX

How Much Does CarPlay Cost?

If you’re worried about a monthly subscription fee for Apple CarPlay with your new Acura car, then know you don’t have to fret. With an Acura model, you won’t have to worry about paying any extra monthly subscription costs. Acura is one of the car manufacturers that won’t charge you monthly for your CarPlay use, unlike BMW. By comparison, BMW gives CarPlay users their first year of use free, and then charges $80 per year after that for the use of CarPlay.

I Don’t Have CarPlay, Can I Get an Acura CarPlay Upgrade?

For those of you who are dying to get Apple CarPlay but you can’t afford a new Acura or you already bought an older model, there is some good news. You can get CarPlay through a retrofit from DashConnect. The Dashconnect system works with Apple CarPlay, and their retrofit designs are specifically made for both Acura and Honda vehicles.

How to Setup and Use Your Acura CarPlay

Apple CarPlay is currently available on all new Acura models. If you’ve just purchased a new Acura with CarPlay, we’ve got the steps for you that will help you get CarPlay going in your car. To utilize CarPlay with your iPhone, simple do the following:

• Activate both Siri and CarPlay on your iPhone.
• Find your Acura USB port and then connect your iPhone to it with a USB cable. You can usually find the USB port behind a cover on the center console area.
• You’ll see a prompt about Apple CarPlay on your Acura’s infotainment unit. Select “Enable.”
• After that, your iPhone and Acura should be connected together through CarPlay. You’ll notice your Acura multimedia display will change to the CarPlay menu when you have your iPhone connected to your car’s USB.