Toyota Cars to have Apple CarPlay

Toyota is givings its Entune infotainment software an update. Entune 3.0 will feature Apple CarPlay and will be found in Toyota’s new models.

Apple CarPlay is a feature that most modern cars adopt to fully integrate the driver’s iPhone into the entertainment system of an automobile. The standardization of 2-din head units in cars allowed manufacturers to fit touch screens that are capable of displaying more than just a simplistic calculator style digital interface. Having a large display in the car enhances the user experience, and declutters the dashboard of buttons, leaving a nice clean look to the interior.

The main problem with these screens is the connectivity with smartphones. Older infotainment systems utilized an audio jack otherwise known as an AUX jack or Auxiliary jack. While adequate, the iPhone has not been seen sporting a headphone jack since 2015 with its iPhone 7. The next best option is bluetooth, and while it boasts wireless connectivity, it is limited to playing music for most cars. Enter Apple CarPlay, which transfers your iPhone’s interface over to the screen in the center of your dash. Connect your phone to your charging port and you can listen to music, navigate using Google Maps or Waze, make a call, use Siri to reply to messages, and more.

In Toyota’s lineup in the United States, Entune 3.0 with Apple CarPlay is going to be a standard feature along with Android Auto and Amazon Alexa. Several of Toyota’s 2019 models, the Avalon, Camry, Corolla Hatchback, CH-R, RAV4, and Sienna, will be receiving Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa in their head units. Upcoming models in 2020, the Corolla, Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner, and Supra, will also receive support.

No statement has been made by Toyota Motor Philippines regarding the addition of Apple CarPlay into local units. However, with the addition to US Domestic models, it won’t be long before we’ll be seeing Apple CarPlay in local models such as the RAV4 and the Camry in the next refresh.