When you get into car made within the last five years, what do you expect? Chances are, it’s a lot of tech that makes your life easier. Lane-keeping assist. Rear-view cameras and blind-spot monitoring. An infotainment system that puts your favorite podcast or song on full-blast over high-quality speakers. If you haven’t bought a car within the last five or so years, there’s a lot of new tech to get used to. So today, we’re running through everything you need to know about 2023 car infotainment systems — the most popular options, what cars you can find them in, and what you should consider when comparing different infotainment systems against each other.
What Does a Car Infotainment System Do, Exactly?
If you’re already familiar with infotainment systems, feel free to skip this and read on below — this section is primarily for prospective car buyers whose current or previous car didn’t have an infotainment system.
Car infotainment systems aim to make life on the road safer, more comfortable, and, yes, more entertaining. Most 2023 car infotainment systems operate from a central console and allow drivers to access features such as hands-free calling, music streaming, and real-time traffic updates without having to look at their phones. Many infotainment systems connect to the driver’s phone, but some are self-contained.
The Most Common 2023 Car Infotainment Systems
Most automakers use their own infotainment systems. However, many also feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which enable drivers to incorporate their iPhone or Android into their infotainment system more seamlessly. Since Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are more universal than most automaker-specific infotainment systems, let’s discuss them briefly.
How Do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Work with Infotainment Systems?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto occupy a unique space in the auto infotainment space. Technically, neither are infotainment systems — it’s easier to think of them like apps. However, just like you probably don’t visit a lot of the apps that come with your phone by default once you have the apps you like installed, most drivers will end up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto more than other automaker-specific infotainment options.
If having your iPhone or Android connected to your car’s infotainment system, you’ll need to make sure the vehicle you want supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — not all do. Typically, you can only use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, not both at the same time — although using one won’t lock you out of using the other at a different point in time.
If your vehicle’s infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, connecting the two is typically pretty easy. For example, this is what it takes to connect Apple CarPlay to Ford’s SYNC-4 infotainment system:
What Do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Do?
If you access Apple CarPlay through your car’s infotainment system, you can…
- Unlock and start your car with your iPhone (certain car models only).
- Use Apple Maps as your GPS.
- Make and return calls, as well as listen to voicemail, hands-free using Siri as an audio assistant.
- Dictate messages to Siri, allowing you to text while on the road. Siri can also read you incoming text messages.
- Play music from your Apple Music subscription.
- Access other non-Apple-specific apps, like Spotify, that are installed on your iPhone.
- View a simplified version of your Calendar app.
Apple CarPlay can be used via Siri, your car’s touchscreen, or any other knobs and controls your vehicle uses to control the touchscreen (like volume dials).
If you have Android Auto on your vehicle’s infotainment system, you can…
- Use Google Assistant as a voice assistant to make calls, send messages, have voicemails and messages read to you, and activate Android Auto-compatible apps.
- Use Google Maps, Waze, and other Android Auto-compatible navigation apps.
- Access entertainment apps like Google Play, Spotify, YouTube Music, Pandora, Audible, and a vast array of other Android Auto-compatible apps.
In summary, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto give drivers a safe, hands-free way to access all their favorite apps and phone functions without having to take their hands off the wheel or actually use their phone.
Want to see if a car you’re interested in supports Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto? Here’s a list of every model that supports Apple CarPlay, and here’s a list of every model that supports Android Auto.
5 of the Most Common & Popular Car Infotainment Systems
In addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, let’s look at some of the most common and popular infotainment systems on the market.
Ford Sync
Since its debut in 2020, Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system has been hailed as an industry bar-setter. Offering a sleek user interface (UI) and voice-activated communication and navigation options, Sync 4 has improved significantly on previous editions of Sync, offering easier updating and more functional tech.
Do I have to pay?
- The navigation feature comes with a complimentary free trial on purchase, but does eventually require a subscription to access. In 2019, Ford made FordPass Connect — an app that enables users to access additional vehicle functions via smartphone — free. You can use FordPass Connect on select Sync-connected vehicles to mark your vehicle’s location, lock and unlock your vehicle, set up a WiFi hotspot, and more.
Does it work with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto?
- Yes.
You can find a list of Sync 4-connected vehicles here.
Tesla Infotainment
Since its inception, Tesla has made a name for itself as a “tech-forward” automaker. That reputation certainly extends to the Tesla Infotainment System. It offers navigation, charging display, temperature check, dashcam, Bluetooth connectivity, and more. The Tesla Infotainment System has earned a reputation as one of the most full-featured 2023 car infotainment systems, although users report occasional finickyness as well.
Do I have to pay?
- Yes. Owners need to purchase an Infotainment Upgrade to access the infotainment system.
Does it work with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto?
- No.
All Tesla vehicles come equipped with standard connectivity, meaning every model can access the Tesla Infotainment System.
BMW iDrive
Recently, BMW announced iDrive 9, the most advanced version of the automaker’s infotainment system. From climate control to hands-free communication to navigation to activating different driving modes, there’s not much that iDrive can’t do. IDrive 9 promises to be more intuitive than previous editions of the iDrive system, featuring a sleek UI and a suite of options suited for a luxury car company. However, some drivers may dislike the removal of physical buttons and knobs in lieu of touchscreens.
Do I have to pay?
- In most cases, yes. BMW ConnectedDrive requires drivers to subscribe to or purchase different packages to enable different features.
Does it work with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto?
- Yes.
Mercedez-Benz MBUX
Mercedez has entered the EV market with a passion in recent years, and that’s come with an increased focus on the tech-forward options most people expect in newer cars (especially electric ones). MBUX features multiple UI options, voice recognition or touchscreen and touchpad activation options, AI that can do things like remember your most-played songs or most-driven routes, and more. However, like other luxury car infotainment systems, plenty of drivers dislike the move towards touchscreens and away from more tactile systems.
Do I have to pay?
- Like many automakers, basic connectivity features are available for free, whereas additional features — like navigation — require additional purchases.
Does it work with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto?
- Yes.
Uconnect for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Wagoneer, Ram and Fiat
Originally adopted by Chrysler and Fiat, the UConnect infotainment system has seen increasing popularity in recent years as other automakers such as Jeep, Dodge, and Ram have come onboard. Featuring an easy-to-navigate UI, UConnect offers touchscreen and voice navigation and communication, vehicle location monitoring and locking/unlocking, smartphone pairing, and more.
Do I have to pay?
Does it work with Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto?
- Yes.
If having a functional car infotainment system is important to you, look up user reviews — particularly videos — for the model you’re considering purchasing and the infotainment system that comes with it. It’s also worth being aware that not all automakers upgrade or price infotainment systems in the same way. Always double-check to make sure the model you want comes with the version of infotainment system you’d like. Also ensure that any costs associated with that infotainment system get factored into your budget.
Choosing the Right Infotainment System for Your Car
Now that you’re briefed on some of the most common 2023 car infotainment systems, let’s talk about finding the right one for you. Choosing the right infotainment system for your car can depend on several factors, like your budget, your comfort level with technology, and more.
When examining the feature set, consider the essentials for your daily drive. Do you need advanced navigation capabilities for long commutes? Is music streaming crucial for your in-car experience? Or, perhaps, voice command functionalities that minimize driver distraction are the most vital to you. Remember, features only matter if you’ll actually use them.
Cost is another crucial factor. More luxurious brands often have the most innovative infotainment systems, but they also come with a higher price tag. More affordable brands like Hyundai, Kia, and Ford offer reliable, user-friendly systems that offer excellent functionality for their price.
Lastly, assess your comfort level with technology. If you’re tech-savvy, a system with high-end features like artificial intelligence (AI) or alternate reality (AR) might suit you. In that same vein, you may enjoy something with voice, gesture, or touchscreen-activated features. On the other hand, if you prefer something more grounded and tactile, a system that can run off knobs, dials, or other physical objects might be your best bet.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast eager for the latest developments or a casual user seeking comfort and convenience, the 2023 car infotainment systems offer something for everyone.
