Malcolm Owen
Mazda is finally embracing touchscreen tech for its in-car infotainment system, with buyers of the CX-5 specifically getting an easier way to manage Apple CarPlay.
In the majority of in-car infotainment systems that have CarPlay support, touchscreens are the usual way of interacting with it, though alternative methods are also available. In the case of Mazda, which has largely embraced avoiding touchscreen control in favor of a "multi-function commander knob," the car producer is finally changing its mind on the matter.
As part of an update to the Mazda CX-5, the 2024 edition will be getting a number of changes, with a press release spotted by The Autopian briefly mentioning the infotainment system.
According to the release, the vehicle will use a 10.25-inch full-color display with the "latest Mazda Connect infotainment system" that can be controlled with the regular knob. However, it is also "integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that now feature touchscreen functionality."
Mazda has included CarPlay in its infotainment system for models going as far back as the 2018 Mazda6.
Indeed, it is pointed out by the report that this isn't the first time Mazda has included touchscreen CarPlay support in its vehicles. It has done so on the Mazda CX-50, albeit as a heavily-buried and minimally marketed feature., while the CX-90 offers touchscreen support for phone mirroring but not normal infotainment usage.
Mazda's mentioning of touchscreen CarPlay support in the "latest" edition of its infotainment system could be a good sign for other future models incorporating the feature. While it doesn't eliminate the knob control system, it does at least offer a familiar control scheme that other manufacturers have already embraced.
It's also a sign that car manufacturers are not electing to follow GM's lead and abandon CarPlay in favor of their own in-house systems. That GM move has so far not gone down well with the company's own dealers.
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14 Comments
Navigating CarPlay and most stereo features with a jog dial was a nightmare, which is why I never bought a Mazda. Liked the car, but not the non-touchscreen. Must quicker to tap something on screen than to use a jog dial to find something to select. Told the dealer we would not buy the Mazda because of the lack of touchscreen for easier control of CarPlay and the stereo and walked out. Nice to see they realize their mistake and going back to a touchscreen.
I have a 2017 Mazda MX-5 and it has CarPlay with a touch screen. I had to pay Mazda to install CarPlay when it became available in 2018 or 2019. Mazda disables the touch screen when you are moving. If they are embracing touchscreen functionality, I hope I can get an infotainment update so I can use the touchscreen while moving!
Glad I have a Honda!
When we were looking for a vehicle during the pandemic… NO subways or buses for us, thank you… we arranged the whole lease transaction online.
Our vehicle was delivered directly to our building. Easy.
So, our 2020 HR-V had CarPlay. No restrictions like lacking a touchscreen or anything.
We recently renewed the lease for a 2023 HR-V, the screen is better, but it all works the same.
In general CarPlay is designed to minimize the number of selections on a screen so you're generally not clicking through a ton of options (as opposed to using the AppleTV remote.) I had a 2017 Audi that used a rotary knob and didn't have much of an issue with it there were times when a touch screen would have been more convenient but other times the jog wheel was easier. The jog wheel eliminates the need to reach and if you're on a bumpy road touch screens can be difficult. They also don't work in the winter time with gloves on.