Apple CarPlay coming to higher-end models of Honda's 2017 Civic Hatchback
Honda on Monday announced that when it launches in North America this fall, the 2017 Civic Hatchback will support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto -- though only on higher-end trims.
EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring versions of the car will support the technologies via Display Audio, the automaker said. In fact only the Sport Touring trim will come with CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, forcing other shoppers to pay for an upgrade.
Honda didn't immediately offer pricing for the Hatchback, or what EX and EX-L drivers will have to spend on the Display Audio option.
Nevertheless the Hatchback should help extend CarPlay's reach to the public, given the popularity -- and relative affordability -- of the Civic lineup. For a time the technology was reserved largely for high-end vehicles, but that's changed in the past year with the addition of more cars from brands like Kia, Hyundai, Ford, and Chevrolet.
There are still some conspicuous gaps in Honda's support, most notably the Fit subcompact, which doesn't come with CarPlay even on trims equipped with Display Audio.
EX, EX-L, and Sport Touring versions of the car will support the technologies via Display Audio, the automaker said. In fact only the Sport Touring trim will come with CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, forcing other shoppers to pay for an upgrade.
Honda didn't immediately offer pricing for the Hatchback, or what EX and EX-L drivers will have to spend on the Display Audio option.
Nevertheless the Hatchback should help extend CarPlay's reach to the public, given the popularity -- and relative affordability -- of the Civic lineup. For a time the technology was reserved largely for high-end vehicles, but that's changed in the past year with the addition of more cars from brands like Kia, Hyundai, Ford, and Chevrolet.
There are still some conspicuous gaps in Honda's support, most notably the Fit subcompact, which doesn't come with CarPlay even on trims equipped with Display Audio.
Comments
Meanwhile my ridiculously overpriced Jeep Cherokee is desperate for the Car Play experience, as Unconnect is just an embarrassment for 2016.
Duh. Why wouldn't it? CarPlay already comes standard on the EX, EX-T, EX-L, and Touring trims of the Civic. The only trims that don't get it are the LX and LX-P.
The Civic has a USB port down low in the front which is high-powered and allows rapid charging. I leave a lighting cable connected to that all the time- it takes all of three seconds to plug a phone in. After 20 minutes in the car you could either be plugged in and have a phone that is 20% more charged, or have one that is charged 10% less after running the GPS and sending video/audio over the air. When I unplug, iOS 10 marks where I left the car on the map. Pretty obvious wired is better.
/embarrass
Quality workmanship and materials, eh? I have a Honda Civic Type R. In 10 years it has never broken down or failed to start or given the slightest problem whatsoever. Aside from service items like tyres, oil and filters, I have had to replace the battery, a tie-rod end, a set of brake pads, and a piston and seal kit in each brake caliper. That is my idea of quality, not the exact formulation used for the plastics in the interior or whether the seat is heated or whether the seat can remember the adjustments for the 0 other people who ever drive it.
As I was saying, 'quality' can mean different things to different people. To some people it's a German badge on the front, dashboard toys and seat moves, even if it averages running costs in 6 months that are more than a Honda requires spending on it in 10 years.