Apple’s CarPlay Ultra infotainment system is finally starting to make it into luxury vehicles, giving everyone else a glimpse at the technology that is likely to succeed CarPlay as time goes on.
The future of in-car connectivity is finally making its way into vehicles in the US, UK and Canada with a host of other manufacturers committed to adopting the tech, which unites all of the car’s systems under one neat and tidy Apple aesthetic that spans all of the vehicles screens.
Let’s take a deeper look at the upgrades…
What is CarPlay?
Traditional CarPlay is an iPhone-based experience that effectively places a version of iOS on a touch-friendly centre console display via wired or wireless connections. It offers access to iOS apps optimised for that screen – whether its Maps, Podcasts, Messages, Calendar or third-party apps like Spotify or WhatsApp.
Thanks to widgets, multiple apps can be displayed and interacted with on the touchscreen at one time. CarPlay integrates with in-car speakers and steering wheel media controls. Using mircophones in the cars, CarPlay users can interact with Siri, make phone calls, or dictate messages.
CarPlay has been available since 2014. It approached ubiquity but some manufacturers have started to drop the platform in favour of their own systems.
What is CarPlay Ultra?
CarPlay Ultra is probably the closest we’ll get to the cancelled Apple Car project the company spent a terrific amount of time and resources working on, but ultimately abandoned. CarPlay Ultra is a system level platform that enables major in-car functionality to be viewed and controlled alongside the infotainment. It promises to unite the experiences with a consistent design, look and feel. So, with Ultra, you can control the cars climate and radio, while also viewing Apple Maps.
The platform was first announced in 2022, but only began rolling out to high-end vehicles in 2025. Unfortunately, as of August 2026, you need an Aston Martin to access Apple CarPlay Ultra.
Manufacturers like Jaguar, Kia, Genesis and Hyundai have made commitments. You can keep tabs on our Apple CarPlay Ultra compatibility list here for further updates.
But is it better than CarPlay?
In a word: Yes. Stuff’s Spencer Hart took CarPlay Ultra for a spin in an Aston Martin DBX and wrote: “This isn’t just a prettier version of the CarPlay you’ve used before, it’s a complete takeover – one interface stretched seamlessly across all the car’s screens, from the instrument cluster to the centre display. And once you’ve experienced that level of clarity and cohesion, there’s no going back.
“I’ve driven plenty of fast, expensive, beautiful cars over the years. But it’s rare that the software leaves more of a lasting impression than the engine. With CarPlay Ultra, that’s exactly what happened. And now? I never want to drive without it again.”
Here are the key upgrades CarPlay Ultra brings over the originator.
Access to all the screens
So instead of simply showing a version of iOS in the centre console, CarPlay Ultra commandeers all dashboard screens and shows information like speed, fuel levels, tire pressure and other metrics from the instrument cluster. It also offers access to climate controls, driver assist systems and much more. All with that clean and consistent Apple aesthetic.
Widgets everywhere
Widgets from the connected iPhone, such as Maps and Media are not limited to the centre console. Thanks to the compatibility with all the car’s displays, With CarPlay Ultra, widgets can also be viewed in the instrument cluster.
A custom look for each manufacturer
CarPlay looks almost the same on every car, save for the different aspect ratios and size of centre console screens. CarPlay Ultra is a big departure, enabling the auto manufacturer to customise the look to match their brand aesthetic and the car’s internal design. So CarPlay Ultra in an Aston Martin and a Volvo will look completely different. Consumers also get to choose their preferred wallpapers too.
Which is better?
CarPlay Ultra is a big leap forward for Apple’s in-car platform. It’s unquestionably the future of in-car communication, entertainment and connectivity. As the name suggests. However, the best ability is availability. Right now, that availability is remarkably sparse. CarPlay Ultra is only available in the on Aston Martin vehicles like the DBX707, Vanquish, DB12 and Vantage. The Aston Martin DBX707 starts at £205,000 in the UK and $265,000 in the United States. It’s very much an exclusive product right now.
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