Remember when Apple first teased its new, souped-up version of CarPlay back in 2022? It promised to take over your car’s screens in “the Apple way” — sleek, seamless, and oh so shiny. The idea was simple: CarPlay would expand beyond infotainment, giving you control over core car functions like climate settings and even displaying speedometers and fuel levels. Fast forward to 2025, and, well… crickets.
No one seems to know when this new version will actually show up in cars. Apple’s big reveal touted partnerships with major automakers like Volvo, Ford, and Honda, but those cars are still AWOL. Meanwhile, carmakers are working on their own tech, trying to keep their dashboards relevant in an increasingly Apple-ified world.
If you’ve read my reviews, you might have noticed I always bring up phone projection. For me, it was an equaliser in car tech, one that gives manufacturers the opportunity to outsource important entertainment facilities to the powerful computer everyone has in their pockets. While it is the very first thing I set up in every new press car I get – nerd much? – there’s a flip side that’s hard to ignore.
There’s something undeniably appealing about what CarPlay offers. It levels the playing field, turning even an entry-level car into something tech-forward. Suddenly, you don’t have to shell out for the top trim to get a slick interface—it’s just there, connecting your iPhone to the car’s brain. Who wouldn’t want that?
CarPlay also brings a sense of familiarity. You already know how to use it because it’s basically an extension of your phone. No fumbling through yet another wonky, proprietary car interface that looks like it was coded in 2008. Instead, everything feels cohesive, user-friendly, and Apple-polished (which is a pro or a con depending on who you are).
But here’s where it gets tricky. Do we really want a tech company to have this much influence over our cars? Sure, it’s great when CarPlay makes everything look pretty and easy to use, but it also means handing over a big slice of your car’s functionality to another company, with non-car interests and priorities. It was all fun and games when it was just replacing maps and music, but this revamped CarPlay wants to take it many steps forward. That’s a lot of power for Apple, and it raises questions about who really controls the experience — you or them?
Then there’s the issue of distraction. As CarPlay gets more integrated, there’s a risk of information overload. Do we really need our car’s dashboard to function like an iPhone on wheels? More features might mean more chances to take your eyes off the road, which feels counterproductive to the whole “safe driving” thing.
So, while we all sit here waiting for the next-gen CarPlay to actually land, it’s worth thinking about what we’re asking for. Sure, it might make your car feel smarter and more cohesive, but it also gives Apple even more of a foothold in your life — and potentially your safety. Maybe some crickets on the release date aren’t such a bad thing after all. But I’m super keen to know what you think.
