All articles tagged with #infotainment
JD Power's 2026 reliability study ranks Volkswagen as the least dependable brand, reporting 301 problems per 100 cars (vs. 204 industry average) largely due to infotainment and exterior issues; Volvo, Land Rover, Jeep, and Audi also ranked poorly, while Lexus and Buick had the fewest problems, and Toyota’s overall score was middling amid rising software-driven complexities in modern cars.
Ford is recalling about 1.74 million U.S. vehicles over rear-view camera display issues caused by overheating in the infotainment module or inverted imagery. The recall covers 2021–2026 Broncos and 2021–2024 Edges, plus 2020–2022 Escapes, 2020–2024 Corsairs, and 2020–2024 Aviators and Explorers. Ford will provide a free APIM software update for Broncos and Edge; a remedy for the other models is under development with owner notices to follow. Drivers can check VINs on the NHTSA or Ford recall sites; no injuries have been reported.
iOS 26.4 beta code suggests Apple is building an AirPlay-like feature for CarPlay that would let users stream Apple TV to a car’s dashboard, with a parked‑only restriction to keep driving safe. Apple TV would be available first, potentially followed by other apps like YouTube or Twitch. If realized, this could deepen iPhone ecosystem lock‑in as Tesla and other automakers pursue CarPlay integration.
Ars Technica reviews the 2026 Mazda CX-5, which grows in size for more interior space and introduces a Google-based Android Automotive OS infotainment system with a large touchscreen and a new touch-based interface (no rotary controller). It’s a global model starting at $29,990, powered by a Skyactiv-G 4‑cylinder (187 hp) with a 6‑speed automatic, and while refined to drive, it remains more of a comfortable family SUV than a performance model; real-world fuel economy sits in the low- to mid-20s mpg, with a Hybird version coming next year and lifetime software updates to the system.
Apple's CarPlay Ultra, initially exclusive to luxury cars like Aston Martin, may soon be available in the more affordable Hyundai Ioniq 3, an electric vehicle expected to cost around $35,000 with a 365-mile range, potentially making advanced Apple integration accessible to a broader audience.
Apple's iOS 26 beta introduces significant updates to CarPlay, including customizable widgets for easier access to time, controls, and notifications, a new Liquid Glass interface for better visual layering, tapbacks for quick messaging responses, and Live Activities for real-time updates, addressing many user frustrations with current car interfaces.
Lucid Air vehicles now support Android Auto through an over-the-air update to Lucid OS 2.7.0, allowing seamless use of Android smartphones for maps, media, and messaging via wired or wireless connection, enhancing the vehicle's infotainment system.
Polestar confirms it will offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra in future electric vehicles, although no specific timeline has been provided. CarPlay Ultra, which offers deep integration with vehicle systems, is currently available in Aston Martin models and is expected to be adopted by other automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis over the next year or more.
GM's decision to reject Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of its own integrated infotainment system is criticized for prioritizing car-specific user interfaces over the seamless experience users have with their phones. Critics argue that people prefer the continuity of their phone's interface in cars, as they spend more time using their phones than driving. The article suggests that GM's approach reflects a misunderstanding of user priorities, as most drivers want their phone's functionality to integrate smoothly with their vehicle's system.
GM's decision to eliminate CarPlay from its electric vehicles has faced criticism and a rocky start, particularly with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. In a recent interview, GM's software VP Baris Cetinok, who joined after the decision was made, defended the move, emphasizing the company's goal to create a deeply integrated and seamless infotainment experience. Despite initial challenges, GM believes this strategy will ultimately enhance customer satisfaction by offering a fully integrated vehicle and software ecosystem.
General Motors remains committed to its decision to remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from future vehicles, despite customer demand for these features. GM's senior vice president of software and services, Baris Cetinok, emphasized the company's "strong conviction" in developing its own native software to enhance the overall customer experience. GM believes that its technologies, such as Super Cruise, will attract buyers, even as Apple continues to enhance CarPlay's functionality.
Cadillac is updating its gas-powered Escalade with features inspired by its upcoming electric vehicles, including new vertically positioned headlights, an illuminated grille, and a redesigned interior with a 55-inch pillar-to-pillar display. The 2025 Escalade will also feature power doors and advanced infotainment options, aiming to blend luxury with cutting-edge technology. Pricing details are yet to be announced.
The 2025 Ford Explorer receives a significant update with refreshed exterior styling, a revamped interior featuring a new infotainment system with Google Assistant and Alexa Built-In, reduced trim lineup, and a starting price of $41,220. The SUV's interior boasts a 13.2-inch infotainment screen, wireless charging pad, and increased cabin space, while the exterior showcases updated front design and redesigned taillights. The lineup has been reduced to four trims, and the powertrain options remain unchanged. The order book is now open, with the SUV expected to arrive at dealers in the second quarter of 2024.
Porsche is enhancing its infotainment system by allowing deeper integration with Apple CarPlay, enabling iPhone users to control various car functions such as changing the radio station, adjusting temperature, and checking performance data directly from their phones. The My Porsche App updates also include Apple Watch compatibility, Siri integration for 400,000 vehicles, and a cleaner user interface, while the deeper CarPlay integration allows electric vehicle drivers to plan routes and charging stops based on the vehicle's state of charge.
Volkswagen celebrates 50 years of its Golf with a powerful and convenient refresh, addressing concerns over the MK8's controversial touch-sensitive controls by introducing illuminated touch sliders for temperature and volume controls, reverting to physical buttons on the steering wheel, and boosting the GTI's power while axing the manual transmission. The new infotainment system features ChatGPT functionality, and the exterior changes include a sharpened front fascia and reworked light clusters, making the 2025 GTI an easier sell and reaffirming its status as one of the best all-rounders in the market.