Although Toyota has arrived late into the CarPlay game, the car manufacturer has recently started offering the option for a few of its 2019 models. Back in 2014, Apple introduced the world to CarPlay, a software system that allows drivers to use their phones safely and hands-free while on the road. CarPlay provides drivers with several useful options while driving, including phone, messaging, music, and navigation simply by talking to Siri and without looking at one’s phone. Also, if a vehicle is purchased without navigation, an iPhone user can utilize their navigation right on their car’s screen.
What Toyota Models Include Apple CarPlay?
Toyota has only recently started offering CarPlay in their vehicles, although the software option has been in existence for more than four years at this point. Initially, Toyota wanted to stay with their version of a software system, which most Toyota owners know as Entune or Enform. However, Toyota is now offering Apple CarPlay in three of their 2019 models, although their CarPlay option is not wireless or compatible with Android Auto. The models Toyota is offering CarPlay for include:
- 2019 Toyota Avalon
- 2019 Toyota RAV4
- 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback
How Much Does CarPlay Cost?
Currently, Toyota offers Apple CarPlay as a standard option on the three models listed above. That means that getting Apply CarPlay shouldn’t cost you anything extra for the car models on our list. However, that factor may change when Toyota starts offering CarPlay in its 2020 Yaris Hatchback, although which direction Toyota intends to go with the Yaris is still not clear.
How much CarPlay might cost in a Yaris is not clear because Toyota states that the Yaris will have both CarPlay and Android Auto offered but has not released any pricing details on the new Yaris yet.
I Don’t Have CarPlay, Can I Get a Toyota CarPlay Upgrade?
If you don’t have CarPlay, Toyota does offer a few retrofit options available depending on the Toyota model. Both the 2018 Camry sedan and the 2018 Sienna minivan can have CarPlay added to their car. However, those are the only two past vehicle models that Toyota is willing to retrofit. If you are interested in getting either your 2018 Camry sedan or 2018 Sienna minivan retrofitted for Apple CarPlay, Toyota is encouraging its customers to reach out to their dealers. Toyota has not provided details about the cost of a retrofit, or how long it takes to complete the process. All Toyota has stated is that there is a small fee associated with the retrofit.
How to Setup and Use Your Toyota CarPlay
Setting up CarPlay in your Toyota is a simple process. We’ve included the steps below:
- Make sure both Siri and Apple CarPlay are enabled and available on your iPhone.
- Press the menu and then general and then on buttons to turn on CarPlay in your vehicle.
- Grab your Apple lightning cable and connect your phone to your car using your USB port.
- After you’ve connected your phone to your car with your lightning cable, you’ll see a prompt with three options: do not enable, enable once, and always enable.
- If you want to enable CarPlay automatically, press on always enable. Or select enable once if you are just using CarPlay this one time.
