GM EVs Will Finally Feature Apple CarPlay, But Only Internationally

      The dashboard of a Cadillac Vistiq. General Motors

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      One point of frustration for us and many individuals who have tested GM's latest EVs is the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is intentional. GM has historically maintained that the user experience for its EVs is enhanced when drivers stay within its software ecosystem, where navigation, range estimates, and routing to chargers are integrated and utilize the same set of information and vehicle data. Additionally, the company can earn more from owners who pay for monthly data subscriptions after their vehicle's free trial period concludes, although executives typically don’t emphasize this point. Regardless, it seems that Cadillac EV purchasers in Australia and New Zealand may continue to enjoy phone projection in the future, unlike those in the U.S.

      This information comes from Australia's CarExpert, citing a GM spokesperson for the region. “All Cadillac Lyriq, Lyriq-V, Vistiq, and Optiq vehicles arriving in Australia and New Zealand will provide Cadillac Connected Services as well as wireless smartphone projection, which is currently available in Lyriq models (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto),” the statement indicated. It’s worth noting that this does not include GM’s other all-electric offerings, such as those from Chevrolet.

      The Drive has contacted GM’s North American PR team to see if this suggests any changes in plans for the domestic market, and we will update this article with any information we receive. However, I wouldn’t get my hopes up. GM has been quite clear, at least in this region, that it doesn’t see phone projection as a feature for its electric vehicles. The company has had ample chances to rethink this policy over the years. Whenever someone inquires about it, they remain steadfast, discussing the creation of “seamless” experiences and their desire not to be “dependent on [the driver] having a cellphone,” a bold position to take in the 2020s.

      The 2025 Cadillac Optiq. General Motors

      One factor that may partly explain GM’s distinct policy in this area is that Super Cruise, its Level 3 autonomous highway driving system, is not legally sanctioned there. This absence makes one part of GM’s proposed “seamless” driving experience less cohesive. Our associate Jason Torchinsky at The Autopian offered an insightful response to one of GM's recent justifications for its anti-CarPlay approach: While the company is correct that in-car software should be intuitive and user-friendly, it has misjudged which aspects of that experience people prioritize.

      Typically, I set one destination per trip in my vehicle, if I set one at all, while shifting between three or four, or who knows how many, podcasts and music playlists. A few months ago, I test drove an Equinox EV, connected my iPhone, tapped the music icon, and encountered actual folders of MP3s, categorized by artist, reminiscent of an old Creative Zen from 2005. (A Zen would have been easier to navigate, considering that it didn't require tapping on small icons on a massive display.) I was dissatisfied with having to sacrifice media browsing convenience for Ultify’s sophisticated built-in navigation system, especially as there’s no good reason for anyone to be in that position.

      The All Apps menu in a Chevy Equinox EV. Adam Ismail

      I do believe that GM will eventually reverse this policy. There are many alternative ways to generate revenue through software-locked features; BMW and Mercedes are continuously creating new ones while still offering CarPlay and Android Auto in their vehicles. The most user-friendly in-car interface is the one that people are already familiar with, and nine times out of ten, that will be the one on their phone, which is already logged into all their applications.

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