Mazda (America) Announces Car Play and Android Auto (Aus Confirms its coming)

jimbobaus on 29/03/2018 - 14:27

Mazda says the 2018 Mazda6 refresh will be the first model to support CarPlay in the United States, starting later this summer. The system will be available as an upgrade to all 2018 Mazda6 variants that are at the Touring trim level or higher.

Furthermore, Mazda says that all customers who already own a 2018 Mazda6 when CarPlay is made available this summer will have the option to retroactively add the feature to their vehicle.

I emailed Mazda Australia and they were a bit cagey in their response but this is what they said:

You are correct, Mazda have committed to bring Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay to all vehicles stating with the mid-year refresh of the Mazda6 and CX-9.
In regards to your question, Mazda intends to make these options available to all cars running MAZDA CONNECT mid year. (this sadly excludes the 1st generation CX-5)

In doing some more research i found the following announcement from Mazda Canada:
In addition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available as a Genuine Mazda Accessory retrofit for MAZDA CONNECT systems starting this fall.

The way the Canada press release is worded it looks like it will be sold as an Accessory. Which means probably having to pay for the feature to be fitted to your car, unlike everyone else who retroactively fits it free in supported vehicles.

Would you get it fitted to your Mazda (or if you owned one would you) if you had to pay a fee to have it installed?

Poll Options

  • 44
    Should be Free
  • 5
    Yes
  • 3
    Maybe
  • 1
    No
Automotive

Comments

  • AdamFury on 29/03/2018 - 14:33

    Interesting. How many years back did Mazdas start getting fitted with Mazda connect?

    • jimbobaus on 29/03/2018 - 14:35

      2014 Onwards for Mazda 2, 3 and 6
      2016 Onwards for Mazda CX-5
      2017 Onwards for Mazda CX-9

  • Islund on 29/03/2018 - 14:40
    -2

    still will not get me to buy a mazda

    • jimbobaus on 29/03/2018 - 14:45
      +4

      Any Japanese car is a winner these days
      Mazda, Toyota (with some exceptions) etc
      Euro Cars are good too.. but generally overpriced
      Korean cars are like buying a mountain bike from Kmart.. it looks like a mountain bike, it rides like one.. but i wouldn't go mountain biking on one.

      • Oz8argain on 29/03/2018 - 14:56

        That's an interesting point. It applies to SUVs too, how many actually take their jeep/land rover off road..
        But disagree that korean cars are not as good as japanese these days (only referring to standard models, not genesis vs lexus). They have good warrenty and brings competitive quality and performance compared to jap brands.

        • FoxJump on 29/03/2018 - 22:19

          I take my Subaru off-road

        • Cheap Charlie on 29/03/2018 - 22:44
          +1

          WRC?

      • [Deactivated] on 29/03/2018 - 15:14

        @jimbobaus Your argument is flawed. Mazda and Toyota give 3 years warranty, Hyundai give 5 and Kia give 7, so who do you think has more confidence in their products being reliable? And both the Japanese makers have 6 month service intervals, the Koreans are yearly.

        • jimbobaus on 29/03/2018 - 15:20
          +1

          Mazda is 12m servicing and has been for almost 2 years now

          and it could be argued that the korean brands give longer warranty's to convince people to buy their brand… not that they have more confidence.

        • spackbace on 29/03/2018 - 15:33

          And both the Japanese makers have 6 month service intervals, the Koreans are yearly.

          Depends on the model. CHR & New Camry (both Japanese) are 12m/15,000km. And at only $195/service for 5 services (aka 5 years)

        • spackbace on 29/03/2018 - 15:35
          +1

          @jimbobaus:

          Mazda is 12m servicing and has been for almost 2 years now

          Or 10,000km, whichever comes first

          Who the fk only does 10,000km/year? Not many people. It's an advertising ploy so people like you just recite the 12m part.

        • jimbobaus on 29/03/2018 - 15:41

          @Spackbace:
          I am lucky to do 10K a year tbh but i do see your point.

          I think the shortest gap between services on our mazda was 11 months but usually at 12m we have KMs to spare

  • Pigey on 29/03/2018 - 15:20
    +2

    I've already hacked my MZD and I have Android Auto already in my Mazda 3.
    Took a bit of work in removing the console and having to make a serial link to the system, but it was worth it.

    https://mazdatweaks.com

    • juve1897 on 03/05/2018 - 23:01

      Hi mate, I literally just lost my tweaks when I got my Mazda 3 serviced today. Any chance I could get you to help me get back in via serial? I can come to you and pay you with a case of beer? Please let me know. Cheers, Pete

  • DoddLad101 on 29/03/2018 - 15:41
    +1

    Mazda should allow this to be retrofitted for free, otherwise I'd rather just use Mazda tweaks. Honestly though it's hard to go back to the MZD Connect system after driving other cars with Android Auto.

    • Cheap Charlie on 29/03/2018 - 16:27

      Mazda should allow this to be retrofitted for free

      From a business perspective, why would Mazda Australia retrofit such software free of charge?
      Presumably Mazda require the task to be performed by a Mazda dealer tech?

      Apple and Android were not products that were included in the original purchase of the vehicle, why would you expect that Mazda just gives you the new software?
      Presumably they pay a licensing fee and have invested capital into integration etc?
      Surely it’s OK for them to charge for the privilege?

      • jason101 on 29/03/2018 - 19:35

        There are significant bugs in the current infotainment system (still), lock ups, very slow to start up and play after ignition, issues with USB - i'm pleased they are continuing to develop their systems as the current software in my view is not up to spec.

      • jimbobaus on 30/03/2018 - 07:34
        -1

        When Hyundai, Holden, ford and others can retrofit for free.

        • spackbace on 30/03/2018 - 18:23

          When have Holden had a software upgrade as major as adding support for CarPlay/Android Auto? You only get software updates to fix minor bugs, not add extra features

  • thord on 29/03/2018 - 16:45
    +1

    In car entertainment has always been abysmal and 10 years behind the current times. It always bothered me. At least this is something.

  • Illian on 01/04/2018 - 00:12

    I haven't come across an infotainment system better than an aux cable yet lol, so definitely should be free.

  • luigi on 27/04/2018 - 07:54

    I think the new BT-50 ute is the first Mazda in Australia with Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay :

    But it is using an Alpine-sourced infotainment unit.

  • juve1897 on 04/05/2018 - 08:07

    Hey guys, anyone here know how to apply Mazda Tweaks to v502? Pigey above is all over it but unfortunately for me is in Perth, I'm in Sydney. My infotainment system was unfortunately updated by the service dept at Mazda and I've lost the ability to tweak, mainly android auto.

    So if you're in Sydney and can help, please message me. Cheers everyone!

  • unco on 19/07/2018 - 13:55
    +1

    Not sure if anyone checks here still but anyway..

    Carplay/AA will be available in Europe on August 6.
    €349 listed on the Mazda Netherlands site.
    €220 + installation for retrofit kit or €300 + installation for new kit listed on the German site.
    (I wonder if people would just buy the new car without it installed, take delivery and then go back for the retrofit price haha)

    No word yet on the dates for other countries. Hopefully not too long before it's here and not price jacked for Australian market.

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