--- title: "Is a New Car Without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a Dealbreaker?" date: "2024-01-24" modified: "2024-01-24" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/is-a-new-car-without-apple-carplay-or-android-auto-a-dealbreaker" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Culture" - "Infotainment" - "News" - "QOTD" --- # Is a New Car Without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a Dealbreaker? ![]() *\Honda\* Last week we reported that Honda will [retrofit last-generation Accords with wireless Apple CarPlay]() for the owners who'd like it. It's an effort from the automaker to keep its new-ish cars viable and useful for customers for longer, and it was applauded by a number of you in our comments. After all, if we truly are living in the era of the "software-defined vehicle," what good is software that can't be updated or improved over time? That got us thinking, though: How important is CarPlay or Android Auto to you in your automotive purchasing decisions? Is their absence a dealbreaker? For me, the answer's *"kind of."* Don't get me wrong: A lack of phone projection tech would never, ever keep me from owning one of my [many]() ['90s]() [dream]() [cars](). In such a scenario, there's also a possibility I could install an aftermarket solution, but to be honest, I don't even know if I'd go to that trouble, especially if I want to keep things stock. But if I'm in the market for a new-ish car that's less aspirational, more practical? A daily driver that's supposed to be convenient and comfortable, as new cars are? Yeah, you betcha I'd be peeved if I didn't have CarPlay. The reason's simple: Even in this era of automakers hyping up and improving their infotainment systems, using Google's platform and hiring away software engineers and designers from big tech, they still don't *really* understand what easy-to-use software is. Or, they do, but they have their own agendas, pet features, and corporate partnerships to push, at your expense that the tech firms aren't beholden to. I love that I can plug my iPhone into my car and it makes my vehicle's navigation and media as simple to use as, well, my iPhone. Yeah, yeah: We all hate smartphones and what they've done to us, but those of us who are addicted to them wouldn't or couldn't be, if they weren't intuitive. So, yeah: I'd rather have Apple or Google dictate my in-car experience, because I find it's more convenient for me when they do. Confounding, nested menus; laggy map scrolling; and fluff I never touch like nature sounds and SiriusXM radio are instantly out of sight and out of mind, which in turn improves safety on the road. What's your take, though? Is CarPlay or Android Auto a must-have for your car buying decisions? Tell me and everyone else in the comments. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()