Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make your infotainment system look and act more like smartphone apps, and let you keep using all the extra features you’ve grown accustomed to.
Although Apple CarPlay was first unveiled in 2014, it wasn’t implemented until 2016 and many manufacturers didn’t immediately add it to their vehicles until many years later.
This article lists all the hybrid cars that have Apple CarPlay compatible infotainment units which should help with your research and shopping if it’s one of your must-have features.
Table of Contents
1. Toyota Prius Hybrid
The Toyota Prius has been on the market since 1997 and has become one of the most popular and well-known hybrid cars, with a reputation for being reliable and fuel-efficient.
Toyota just released the fifth generation Prius for the 2023 model year with a completely new look and almost double the power of the older models but it’s still able to get up to 57 mpg combined.
All trim levels of the fifth gen Toyota Prius have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range topping Prius Limited also gets a larger 12-inch screen, which is optional on the XLE.
The fourth generation Prius only started getting wired Apple CarPlay in 2020. To get CarPlay in older models, you’ll have to install an aftermarket head unit.
2. Honda Insight
Honda brought back the Honda Insight in 2019 after discontinuing it in 2014 with a completely new look and philosophy.
Instead of competing directly with the Prius, Honda turned the third gen Insight into a hybrid version of the Civic. The new Insight still beats out the 2014 model with an impressive 52 mpg combined compared to the previous generation’s 42 mpg.
Only the EX and Touring models of the third gen Honda Insight have the 8-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The LX base model comes with a 5-inch screen which only has Bluetooth.
The third gen Honda Insight only had a brief run though and was discontinued after 2022. It will be replaced by the Civic Hybrid which is due to come out for the 2024 model year.
3. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The Elantra compact sedan is one of Hyundai’s best selling models and is known for providing lots of value for your money.
The first hybrid version of the Elantra came out in 2021 alongside the release of the seventh gen model.
The Elantra Hybrid manages to get around 56 mpg combined which is quite impressive and allows it to go toe to toe with the Prius when it comes to fuel economy.
Since the Elantra Hybrid was only just released in 2021, all of the Elantra Hybrid’s trim levels feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Wireless CarPlay is only available in the more affordable Elantra Hybrid Blue model which has the smaller 8-inch screen. The more expensive Limited trim comes standard with a 10.25-inch display that doesn’t support wireless CarPlay.
Related: 9 Hybrid Cars With the Most Ground Clearance (With Pics)
4. Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry has been sold since 2007 and has a reputation for being extremely reliable and long lasting.
The latest generation was released in 2018 with significant improvements over the older models and an estimated 52 mpg combined.
The Camry Hybrid only started getting Apple CarPlay in 2019. By 2020, Android Auto compatibility was also added.
New base Hybrid LE comes with a 7-inch screen while the XSE and XLE trim levels get a larger 9-inch display. The larger screen is an upgrade option on the SE model.
None of the Camry Hybrids so far have wireless CarPlay, so you’ll need to get an aftermarket wireless adapter if you want that functionality.
5. Accord Hybrid
Honda just released the eleventh gen Accord for the 2023 model year with a new hybrid version that can do an estimated 44 mpg combined.
Aside from its reliability, build quality and practicality, the Accord Hybrid is a good choice for those looking for dynamic handling characteristics.
The Accord Hybrid first got equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pretty early on in 2017. This was only available in the mid to high trim levels.
It became standard on all hybrid trim levels in 2021. The EX, EX-L and Touring models also get wireless compatibility while the base model is wired only.
Starting with the 2023 model year, all eleventh gen Accord Hybrids now also come standard with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.
6. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
The Sonata Hybrid was completely revamped in 2020, giving it a bold new look and an impressive 52 mpg combined.
The Sonata often tries to be a budget luxury car that offers a lot of bang for your buck. Aside from its generous proportions and roomy interior, it often has more standard features than the competition.
The Sonata Hybrid was one of the first to adopt Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2016, and by 2017, all trim levels came with it as standard.
Starting in 2020 for the eighth gen Sonata Hybrid, wireless CarPlay is only available in the Blue trim level with the 8-inch screen. The SEL and Limited models have a larger 10.25-inch screen that’s wired only.
7. BMW 3-Series Plug-in Hybrid
The iconic BMW 3-Series got its first hybrid powertrain in 2012 with the ActiveHybrid 3, which was eventually replaced by the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid in 2016.
Apple CarPlay became available in the BMW 330e PHEV in 2017 as a standalone option.
With the release of the seventh gen G20 BMW 3-series plug-in hybrid in 2021, it also got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
The current generation 3-series PHEV is available as rear or all-wheel drive, and offers up to 20 miles of electric-only range and 28 mpg combined.
8. Lexus ES Hybrid
The Lexus ES 300h hybrid was first released in 2013 and got an estimated 40 mpg combined. The current seventh gen ES hybrid improves this a bit at 44 mpg combined.
The midsize Lexus ES luxury sedan is known for its quiet and comfortable ride, premium interior, relative affordability, and overall reliability. But it’s always lagged a bit when it comes to its infotainment software.
The Lexus ES 300h got App CarPlay as standard in 2019 when the seventh model was introduced. Android Auto compatibility was added a year later in 2020.
In 2023, the Lexus ES got Lexus’s latest infotainment software which adds wireless CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Related: 12 Electric Cars With Apple Car Play (With Pictures)
9. Kia Optima Hybrid
The hybrid version of the Kia Optima, now known as the Kia K5, was sold from 2011 to 2020.
In 2017, Kia also added a PHEV model to the Optima’s fifth generation lineup.
The Kia Optima Hybrid was an early adopter of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and started offering it as a standard feature in 2017.
2017 also saw the addition of a plug-in hybrid variant with 202 hp and 29 miles of EV range. The standard hybrid also gets a smaller engine, improving fuel economy to 42 mpg combined.
10. Chevy Volt Plug-in Hybrid
The Chevy Volt PHEV was sold from 2011 to 2019 and spanned two generations.
The first gen Volt had an impressive 38 miles of EV range but the second gen model improved this to 53 miles in 2016.
GM was an early adopter of Apple CarPlay and all second gen Chevy Volts from 2016 to 2019 all came with it as standard.
Early second gen Chevy Volts also eventually got Android Auto through an infotainment software update.
11. Chevy Malibu Hybrid
The first Chevy Malibu Hybrid dates back to 2008 which only got an estimated 27 mpg combined.
It was eventually brought back in 2016 with the release of the ninth gen Malibu boasting an estimated 46 mpg combined.
The Chevy Malibu started offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2016. By 2017, it became standard on the lower LS and LT trim levels.
12. Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion Hybrid was sold from 2009 to 2020. During its production run, variants like the Fusion Energi PHEV and Lincoln MKZ hybrid were also produced.
Both first and second generation Fusion Hybrids had an estimated fuel economy of roughly 40 mpg combined.
The Fusion Energi PHEV also added around 20 miles of electric range.
In 2018, Ford updated the Fusion’s infotainment to Sync 3 which made it compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Older 2017 models could also get a software update to make them work with CarPlay.
13. Volvo S60 Plug-in Hybrid
The Volvo S60 luxury sedan got its first hybrid powertrain when its third generation model was released in 2019.
The S60 Hybrid uses the same T8 engine and plug-in hybrid setup found in the XC90 which is capable of producing between 400 to 455 hp.
When the S60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid was first released, it could only go up to 22 miles in all-electric mode. It got a bigger battery in 2022 which almost doubled its range to 41 miles.
Although Volvo was one of the first to implement Apple CarPlay in the XC90 in 2016, the S60 PHEV only got Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in 2019.
Volvo also offers a station wagon version of the S60 called the V60, which also has a hybrid option.
Related: 12 Hybrid Cars with Blind Spot Monitoring (With Pictures)
14. Panamera E-Hybrid
The ultra luxurious and sporty Porsche Panamera has had a plug-in hybrid powertrain option since 2013.
The second generation Panamera E-Hybrid was released in 2018 boasting an impressive 456 to 671 hp combined and roughly 30 miles of all-electric range.
When the second gen Panamera E-Hybrid was introduced in 2018, it also started including Apple CarPlay as standard.
In 2022, Android Auto compatibility was also added to the Panamera E-Hybrid’s repertoire.
