Apple CarPlay Ultra review: A seamless leap in in-car tech
After a week behind the wheel with Apple CarPlay Ultra, it’s clear that Apple’s latest automotive solution isn’t just an upgrade—it’s the beginning of a new driver-vehicle relationship. By extending its ecosystem into your car’s instrument cluster and infotainment display, Apple CarPlay Ultra offers a unified interface that feels less like an app and more like a native operating system for your car. In this article, we’ll explore how it works, what features stood out during real-world use, and where this sits in the future of connected driving technology. Whether you’re a tech-savvy driver or considering upgrading your vehicle experience, read on to see what Apple has done differently—and why it matters.
What sets Apple CarPlay Ultra apart
Traditional CarPlay allowed you to mirror a curated selection of iPhone apps on your infotainment screen. CarPlay Ultra, however, takes a substantial leap by integrating with both the infotainment center and the primary instrument cluster. In compatible vehicles, this creates a holistic interface that can display maps, music, communication, and even car telemetry in real time. The result is an automotive experience where switching between apps, data, and navigation becomes seamless—less screen hopping, more driving focus.
This level of integration means that the speedometer, fuel gauge, and turn-by-turn directions can now coexist on the same screen. No more glancing sideways for navigation or fumbling to manage music. Apple is repositioning your dashboard into an active—and smart—part of your driving flow.
Key features worth highlighting
Dual-screen synchronization
One of CarPlay Ultra’s most impressive technical feats is its ability to synchronize across two in-car displays. In supported vehicles, drivers can see important driving data like speed and RPMs on the instrument cluster while simultaneously navigating Apple Maps or receiving calls through the media display. This reduces context switching and improves concentration on the road.
Modernized UI and shortcuts
The interface has received a substantial polish. Large tap targets, context-aware shortcuts, and improved voice support through Siri make using CarPlay Ultra feel as streamlined as the iOS experience on your iPhone or iPad. In practice, this meant we could switch playlists, adjust climate controls (in select vehicle integrations), and navigate complicated routes without needing to fumble through complex menus or hardware buttons.
Adaptability across car brands
Apple has positioned CarPlay Ultra to work with a broad spectrum of automotive manufacturers. BMW, Ford, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz are among the companies confirmed to support the platform in upcoming models. Because the platform leverages customizable templates, manufacturers can overlay their brand identity while still offering the reliability and familiarity of Apple’s software architecture.
Real-world experience: One week on the road
Over our seven-day test period, CarPlay Ultra consistently delivered a smoother and more intuitive in-car tech experience. One standout use case involved dual-screen navigation: detailed turn-by-turn instructions were mirrored perfectly onto the instrument cluster, while the infotainment display continued to show the full route map alongside album art from Apple Music.
The voice command performance also stood out; Siri executed tasks like texting, adjusting volume, and searching for destinations with minimal errors. The responsiveness of touch interactions felt native to the car rather than like a mirrored phone, which helped create a distraction-free environment. Overall, CarPlay Ultra made typical driving tasks—navigation, communication, and entertainment—more efficient and less stressful.
Availability and compatibility
Apple CarPlay Ultra will begin rolling out in late 2024, primarily with new vehicles designed to accommodate dual-display configurations. Confirmed automakers include Porsche and Mercedes-Benz at launch, with more expected to follow as the platform scales. It’s worth noting that while CarPlay Ultra builds upon the existing CarPlay infrastructure, it won’t be retrofittable to most older vehicles due to the hardware demands of full-cluster integration.
As a result, if you want to experience CarPlay Ultra in its full form, your next vehicle purchase or lease may need to factor it in as a feature—the same way we once considered GPS or Bluetooth as options ten years ago. Apple is clearly betting on long-term adoption, and based on our experience, it’s a smart investment for tech-forward drivers.
Final thoughts
Apple CarPlay Ultra isn’t just a UI refresh—it’s a fundamental rethinking of how we interact with vehicles. By tightly integrating both the cluster and infotainment screens, Apple has turned passive displays into active, intelligent panels that make every action—from navigating to choosing music—simpler and safer. While rollouts are still limited, this tech offers a glimpse into the future of in-car experiences. If you’re shopping for a new vehicle in the next 12 months and tech is a top consideration, keep CarPlay Ultra on your radar. It redefines expectations for connected driving, and after a week with it, we’re confident it sets the new standard.
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Image by: David Moffatt
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