Apple is preparing to broaden the availability of CarPlay Ultra beyond its current exclusivity with Aston Martin. According to the latest reports, the next phase of expansion will involve Hyundai and Kia, with the first compatible models expected to arrive in the second half of the year.
CarPlay Ultra was introduced last year as Apple’s next-generation in-car infotainment platform. Despite the initial announcement, its rollout has so far been limited to the newest Aston Martin models, with no wider adoption across the automotive industry. That situation, however, is now set to change.
Hyundai and Kia next in line
As early as May 2025, Apple stated that several additional manufacturers would adopt CarPlay Ultra within 12 months, explicitly naming Hyundai, Kia and Genesis as part of a global expansion plan. This timeline now appears to be taking shape.
In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that at least one new Hyundai or Kia model will integrate CarPlay Ultra in the second half of the year. It remains unclear which vehicle will debut the system. Industry speculation points to the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 3, which has been mentioned in previous rumors, but neither Apple nor the manufacturers have confirmed any specific model.
What makes CarPlay Ultra different
CarPlay Ultra represents a significant evolution over the traditional CarPlay experience. Rather than being confined to the central infotainment screen, the system deeply integrates with the vehicle’s electronics, extending to the digital instrument cluster.
The platform can display key vehicle data such as speed, fuel or battery level, tire pressure and engine temperature, seamlessly combined with information from the connected iPhone. Apple has also added native support for essential vehicle functions, including radio controls, climate settings and the rear-view camera feed.
The interface is customized for each brand and model, allowing manufacturers to maintain their visual identity while preserving Apple’s design language. Drivers can also choose from multiple predefined graphic themes.
Not all automakers are convinced
Despite its advanced integration, CarPlay Ultra has not won over every carmaker. Brands such as BMW, Ford and Rivian have publicly scaled back their interest in the platform.
General Motors has taken an even firmer stance, removing standard CarPlay entirely from its new electric vehicles. As a result, Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC are also unlikely to support CarPlay Ultra.
Tesla is also expected to remain independent of Apple’s in-car ecosystem. While recent rumors suggest the company may eventually support standard CarPlay, the adoption of CarPlay Ultra appears highly improbable.
