Roger Fingas
Honda on Friday announced that the 2017 Accord, going on sale June 27, will be available with an upgrade supporting Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto.
To use either interface people will have to pay for a 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen, Honda said. The automaker didn't immediately say how much the upgrade will cost, but the base Accord Sedan will start at $22,355. Coupe models will run at least $24,025.
Honda has been relatively slow to introduce CarPlay support, having first added it to 2016 models of the Accord and Civic, plus the 2017 Ridgeline. The 2017 Civic Hatchback will be compatible when it launches this fall.
Most major automakers now have some models with CarPlay, although few iOS developers have created interfaces to match. Excluding apps by car manufacturers and Apple itself, there are only 10 CarPlay-ready titles listed on Apple's website.
To boost the platform, Apple is planning various enhancements alongside this fall's iOS 10, such as a redesigned Music app, the ability to remove and rearrange apps, and support for VoIP services like Skype.
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13 Comments
What? CarPlay and Android Auto became available on the 2016 Accord last year (just like the article states) - of course the 2017 will have it! Why wouldn't it? 2017 is a carryover year for the Accord. The purpose of this article is not clear, but seems to simply confirm that the 2017 Accord and Civic will have CP and AA just like the 2016 models do. Well, duh.
2017 will also mark the last year of the current generation since there will be an SE model, which typically denotes the last year of a generation.
That is the right way to do it. Split it into two screens. Safer because you don't have to fiddle as much with a menu system and the controls can be closer and easier to reach, plus the actual data being displayed on the main screen can be shaded for less reflection. I don't particularly like the way my non-CarPlay BMW works. Trying to find an artist or album with the toggle wheel is just way too cumbersome requiring dozens of clicks. Very distracting while driving.
My 2005 Civic has a Nakamichi amp directly fed from a clickwheel iPod Nano since 2006 so I'm a bit ahead of Honda. ;-)
Why is this news? The 2016 Accords and Civics already has CarPlay option.
I wish Subaru would get over trying to cobble together a system with Aha and Starlink and just let the experts take over the infotainment UI.