Honda is stepping up their game with a new CarPlay feature coming to its 2021 Passport.
“Now, all Passport trims get the previously available 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard equipment. That means Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as well.” (Motortrend.com)
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-honda-passport-price-updates/https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/09/12/honda-makes-carplay-a-standard-feature-of-the-2021-passport-suvhttps://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2021-honda-passport-apple-carplay-android-auto-standard/
If you’re unfamiliar with Apple CarPlay, according to Apple, CarPlay is “a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone while you drive.” Think of complete system synchronization between your iPhone and your vehicle, that gives you powerful control at your finger tips (or your voice). You can access directions, send and receive calls and text messages, and listen to your favorite music. All this conveniently situated on the Passport’s built in Infotainment display.
Using the power of Apple Maps, CarPlay can actually predict where you are going, utilizing information it obtains from your email, text messages, contacts and calendars — a truly impressive display of AI capability.
Missed a call? Siri can help you with that, all completely handsfree, keeping you safe on the road. Need to send a message? Instead of writing, Siri can interpret your dictated speech into a written text message that can then be sent to whomever you need to communicate with while under way.
There’s virtually nothing that CarPlay can’t do (unless you need it to do the laundry). Honda introducing this new feature to their 2021 line of mid-size SUVs is a smart move, both for consumers and for their bottom line as well. Honda has provided this digital gold mine to their customers at no additional charge:
“The Passport doesn’t cost anymore for 2021, but Honda tossed the extra tech in. Yay!” (Cnet.com)
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2021-honda-passport-apple-carplay-android-auto-standard/
The key is in the 8.0-inch infotainment screen in the base model, where before if buyers wanted to access such capabilities, they would have had to upgrade to the EXL-trim costing roughly $4,000 more.
We all love getting something back, and Honda has done it with the sexy tech addition in Apple CarPlay integration, however one downside according to Yahoo, is that “the Sport’s display audio unit does not, however, include a text-message function, satellite radio, or HD radio those remain the exclusive province of the EX-L and higher trims.”
Since 2019, Honda’s Passport has been amongst the lower performing vehicles of its line up with sales much lower than its competitors. This could indeed be the spur in the horses rear that pushed Honda to emerge with the 2021 Passport standard upgrades with no additional cost.
What ever the brand of its coming, expect big things for Honda in the coming year, and it could all be thanks to CarPlay.
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[…] isn’t the Honda vehicle that includes Apple CarPlay as a standard feature in 2021. The Honda Passport also comes with the new standard 8-inch touchscreen and CarPlay. The Honda Civic, like the Accord, […]