Hyundai already offers Android Auto in the Sonata and it did promise earlier this year that during the 2015 model year the Sonata is also going to receive support for CarPlay, which is Apple’s extension of its mobile operating system in the car. Hyundai has now confirmed that AirPlay for Sonata is going to arrive next year however it’s going to be a paid upgrade, drivers will have to purchase an SD card to add CarPlay support to their Sonata.
The company says that Sonata owners will have to purchase an SD card with new software that’s going to add support for CarPlay to the Sonata’s infotainment system.
It goes against the promise Hyundai previously made that those customers who purchased a properly equipped 2015 or 2016 Sonata midsize sedan will receive CarPlay support as a free download.
A statement released by the company mentions that it’s currently working with Apple to complete CarPlay integration, and that “Hyundai and Apple are committed to delivering drivers the best possible experience while using CarPlay in their vehicles.”
Hyundai hasn’t mentioned in the statement why CarPlay rollout for the Sonata was delayed by over a year, and why it suddenly feels the need to charge customers for it. Perhaps it will provide more information when the paid upgrade is ready to be deployed by Q1 2016.
Filed in . Read more about Carplay and Hyundai. Source: freep