Apple CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation in-car infotainment system, launched on May 15, 2025, marking a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Initially teased at WWDC 2022, this system deeply integrates with vehicles, offering a seamless blend of iPhone functionality and car-specific controls. Below, we explore the standout features of CarPlay Ultra and identify the first cars to receive this innovative technology, along with what to expect in the future.

Standout Features of Apple CarPlay Ultra

1. Comprehensive Dashboard Integration

CarPlay Ultra extends beyond the central infotainment screen to take over the entire dashboard, including the instrument cluster. Drivers can now view critical information like speedometers, tachometers, fuel gauges, and tire pressure directly within the CarPlay interface. For example, in the Aston Martin DBX 707, Apple Maps and media playback are seamlessly displayed alongside car metrics, reducing the need to toggle between systems and keeping the driver focused on the road.

2. Enhanced Vehicle Control

Unlike traditional CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra allows users to manage core vehicle functions such as climate control, radio, and performance settings directly through the interface. Using onscreen controls, physical buttons, or Siri, drivers can adjust the HVAC system, switch radio stations, or even toggle driving modes like Sport mode in compatible vehicles. This integration eliminates the need to exit the CarPlay environment, creating a more unified experience.

3. Customizable Themes and Widgets

CarPlay Ultra offers extensive personalization options, allowing automakers to craft bespoke themes that reflect their brand identity. For instance, Aston Martin’s implementation includes unique design elements like the “Handbuilt in Great Britain” verbiage on the gauge cluster. Drivers can further customize colors and wallpapers to match their preferences. Additionally, iPhone-powered widgets provide at-a-glance information—such as weather, calendar events, or navigation—on the dashboard or infotainment screen, enhancing convenience.

4. Consistent User Experience Across Vehicles

One of CarPlay Ultra’s most practical features is its uniformity across different cars. Whether you’re driving your own vehicle, a rental, or a friend’s car, the interface remains largely the same, minimizing the learning curve. Apple achieves this by overlaying its design language onto the car’s native systems while retaining automaker-specific details, ensuring both familiarity and brand distinction.

5. Advanced Siri Integration

Siri plays a significant role in CarPlay Ultra, enabling hands-free control of various functions like adjusting the temperature or changing radio stations. While Siri’s capabilities are not fully comprehensive (e.g., it cannot access the car’s owner manual), Apple has integrated support for ChatGPT-powered Apple Intelligence, allowing drivers to query more complex questions via voice commands, provided the feature is enabled on their iPhone.

First Cars to Get Apple CarPlay Ultra

Aston Martin leads the rollout of CarPlay Ultra, with the system available as standard on new vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada starting May 15, 2025. Models include the DBX SUV, Vantage, DB12, and Vanquish, all featuring Aston Martin’s latest next-generation infotainment system. Existing owners of 2024 and 2025 Aston Martin models with this infotainment system can also upgrade via a dealer-installed software update in the coming weeks. For instance, owners of the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 can visit their dealership to enable CarPlay Ultra, ensuring broader accessibility within the brand.

Other automakers are set to follow, with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis recently committing to support CarPlay Ultra. Previously announced partners include Porsche, Ford, Volvo, Audi, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, and Renault, though specific timelines for these brands remain unclear. Notably, Mercedes-Benz has opted out, with its CEO expressing reluctance to cede control of the cockpit experience to Apple, a decision that may frustrate some consumers given CarPlay’s popularity.

Requirements and Availability

CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later, meaning users with older devices like the iPhone 11 will need to upgrade. The system supports both wired and wireless connections, with initial setup requiring a brief data download to configure the vehicle-specific interface. Once set up, it boots up instantly upon entering the car, making it the default UI for the driver.

While the initial launch with Aston Martin targets the luxury market, the inclusion of brands like Hyundai and Kia suggests CarPlay Ultra will eventually reach more affordable vehicles. However, the bespoke nature of the system means it’s not a simple software update for all cars—only those with compatible hardware will support it, potentially limiting its reach in the short term.

Critical Perspective

The narrative around CarPlay Ultra often paints it as a revolutionary step forward, but it’s worth examining its limitations. While the system promises a “tailor-made” experience, some critics argue that Apple’s design language dominates, potentially diluting the automaker’s brand identity—e.g., the Aston Martin implementation still feels distinctly “Apple.” Additionally, the requirement for newer iPhones and specific vehicle hardware excludes a significant portion of drivers, raising questions about accessibility. The establishment’s focus on luxury brands like Aston Martin as the first adopters also risks alienating the average consumer, despite Apple’s claims of broad appeal. Future advancements might leverage quantum computing in automotive tech to optimize navigation and vehicle systems.

Conclusion

Apple CarPlay Ultra redefines the in-car experience by blending iPhone functionality with vehicle controls, offering a seamless, customizable, and consistent interface across compatible cars. Its standout features—dashboard integration, vehicle control, and personalization—make it a compelling upgrade for tech-savvy drivers. Starting with Aston Martin and soon expanding to brands like Hyundai and Kia, CarPlay Ultra is poised to become a staple in modern vehicles, though its reach may be limited by hardware requirements and automaker adoption. As Apple continues to refine this technology, it may indeed bring us closer to the seamless integration once envisioned for the rumored Apple Car.