CarPlay Ultra Finally Rolls Out: Complete Dashboard Control

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Your iPhone might connect to your car's infotainment system right now, but get ready for something completely different. Apple just announced that CarPlay Ultra is rolling out today, marking the biggest transformation to in-car technology since CarPlay first launched back in 2014.

While regular CarPlay mirrors your phone to the center screen, CarPlay Ultra delivers "the ultimate in-car experience by deeply integrating with the vehicle" through complete dashboard control. The first lucky drivers to experience this? Aston Martin owners in the U.S. and Canada, though major brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are already lined up for the next wave.

What makes CarPlay Ultra different from regular CarPlay?

Let's break it down: regular CarPlay is like having a window to your iPhone on your car's screen. CarPlay Ultra? That's like handing Apple the keys to your entire cockpit.

Apple explains that the system "provides information for all of the driver's screens, including real-time content and gauges in the instrument cluster." We're talking about your speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature readings—everything gets the Apple design treatment while still maintaining each automaker's distinctive personality.

But here's where it gets really interesting: the integration runs much deeper than just pretty interfaces. CarPlay Ultra allows drivers to "use onscreen controls, physical buttons, or Siri to manage both standard vehicle functions like the car's radio and climate, as well as advanced, vehicle-specific features and controls." Imagine telling Siri to adjust your air conditioning or switch drive modes without ever leaving your navigation app.

What's particularly clever is Apple's approach to customization. Custom themes are crafted in close collaboration between Apple and the automaker's design team, resulting in experiences that feel tailor-made for each vehicle." So your Mercedes will look distinctly Mercedes, while your Aston Martin maintains that British luxury aesthetic—but both get Apple's intuitive interface design. Drivers can also personalize colors and wallpapers to match their individual tastes.

This represents a fundamental shift from traditional CarPlay, which is restricted to the infotainment system in the center console, while CarPlay Ultra transforms your entire dashboard experience.

How does multi-screen integration actually work?

The technical implementation is where CarPlay Ultra truly shines, and it's honestly pretty impressive. The system spans multiple screens simultaneously, creating what feels like a unified ecosystem across your entire dashboard rather than just occupying that center touchscreen.

Apple introduces widgets powered by iPhone that "perfectly fit the car's screen or gauge cluster to provide information at a glance." These aren't just basic displays either—we're talking about everything from Calendar and Weather to Reminders, all seamlessly blended with crucial vehicle data like tire pressure and advanced driver assistance systems.

The intelligence behind this integration becomes clear when you consider system startup priorities. During startup, "the booting process prioritizes the instrument panel display first, so that the driver can actually use the vehicle, even if other CarPlay Ultra elements take a little longer to get going." You'll never be stuck waiting to drive while your entertainment system loads—the essential driving information appears immediately.

The interface also handles the complexity of mixing iPhone features with car functions elegantly. Drivers can choose to show information from their iPhone, like maps and media, along with information that comes from the car, such as advanced driver assistance systems and tire pressure, right in the instrument cluster. It's like having the best of both worlds without the usual jarring transitions between systems.

From what early testers report, the system maintains Apple's signature ease of use while respecting each automaker's design philosophy. Apple says that its designers collaborated with Aston Martin's designers to develop a customizable user interface that blends the aesthetic of both brands.

Which vehicles can run CarPlay Ultra right now?

Here's where things get real—and expensive, at least initially. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. We're talking about vehicles like the Vantage sports car starting at $194,000, so this definitely starts in the luxury segment.

But here's some good news for existing Aston Martin owners: you might not need to buy a new car. The experience will be available for existing Aston Martin vehicles featuring the brand's next-generation infotainment system "in the coming weeks through a software update available at local dealers." That's pretty remarkable—imagine walking into your dealer and walking out with a completely transformed dashboard experience.

The expansion timeline looks promising too. Apple says that beginning in the U.S. and Canada, CarPlay Ultra will be available for Aston Martin's core model lineup and "will expand to include vehicles globally in the next 12 months."

Now here's where it gets interesting for the rest of us: over a dozen automakers have signed on to support CarPlay Ultra. The newly committed brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, joining previously announced partners like Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo.

For the tech requirements, you'll need an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. The system works entirely wirelessly by default, though there's still the option of using a wire if you prefer a quicker connection setup.

What does this mean for the future of in-car tech?

CarPlay Ultra isn't just another tech feature—it represents a fundamental shift in who controls your driving experience, and the implications are pretty significant when you dig into the details.

The market demand is definitely there. Nearly half of car buyers prefer CarPlay according to a 2023 McKinsey survey, while a 2024 J.D. Power survey reports that infotainment systems are the lowest-ranked features on new cars in America, with CarPlay and Android Auto scoring significantly higher. Let's be honest—most automaker interfaces are pretty terrible, and drivers clearly prefer what they already know how to use.

This consumer preference directly connects to one of CarPlay Ultra's most compelling advantages: privacy. Apple says everything is processed on the phone, not in the vehicle, and is therefore covered by Apple's generally strong data privacy rules. Even better, Apple "has made no deals to share any data, even anonymized, with automakers who embrace CarPlay Ultra." Your driving habits, destinations, and personal information stay with Apple rather than being harvested by yet another company.

What's particularly interesting about Apple's strategy is how they're handling the transition. Apple makes very clear that CarPlay Ultra is not "CarPlay 2"—it's not a replacement, but rather an alternative. The original CarPlay will continue to exist alongside Ultra, and Apple will likely "gradually bring features from CarPlay Ultra to the classic version, such as new app categories, expanded Siri capabilities, and better UI customization."

This approach makes sense when you think about it. Millions of vehicles on the road today can't support the deep integration that Ultra requires, and Apple isn't about to abandon that massive installed base. Your current CarPlay isn't going anywhere, but if you're buying a new car in the next few years, you might have some very compelling interface options.

Bottom line: CarPlay Ultra represents Apple's most ambitious push into the automotive space yet, and it's arriving at a time when consumers are clearly frustrated with automaker interfaces. Whether this becomes the standard way we interact with our cars will largely depend on how many automakers are willing to hand over control of one of their most visible features to Apple. Given the consumer preference data, though, it seems like a pretty smart bet for everyone involved.