Hyundai Sonata Finally Gets Apple CarPlay System

Hyundai Motor Co. will make Apple Inc.’s CarPlay smartphone interface available to buyers of 2016 Sonata midsize cars early next year. This is more than a year after the company had planned to introduce the system on 2015-model Sonatas, the Detroit Free Press notes.

The newspaper says Sonata owners will have to buy an SD card with new software to get the system. Hyundai originally had intended to offer CarPlay as a no-cost option, according to the report.

Hyundai currently offers Android Auto as a free option for Google phone users. Several other carmakers also offer CarPlay and/or Android Auto in select models. The systems allow users to link a smartphone to their vehicle’s infotainment system for hands-free operation.