Kia Cars with Apple CarPlay (15 Models: Full List)
Audio and multimedia infotainment systems featuring high-resolution touchscreen displays with Apple CarPlay integration are essential to maximizing the ownership and enjoyment of modern cars.
The following Kia cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles have Apple CarPlay connectivity, either wireless or wired with a USB cable.
Do All Kia Cars Have Apple CarPlay & When Did They Get It?
The latest releases of Kia vehicles have Apple CarPlay.
Most Kia vehicles began getting Apple CarPlay integration between the 2017 and 2018 model years; the Optima sedan was one of the earliest within the Korean marque’s lineup to have smartphone connectivity available.
Wireless smartphone charging and voice recognition are integral to the newer infotainment systems.
Check the corresponding table to see when each Kia model below has Apple CarPlay.
Meanwhile, Android smartphone users may find the post on Kias with Android Auto useful.
Kia Cars with Apple CarPlay
#1 Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is one of the few subcompact cars remaining in production.
Living up to the Korean automaker’s reputation for delivering excellent value, the Kia Rio has had standard wireless Apple CarPlay since 2020.
The 2018 and 2019 Kia Rio has Apple CarPlay integration but only in the pricier trims; older models didn’t have smartphone integration.
#2 Kia Forte
The Kia Forte adds to a list of compact cars with strong picks like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.
The feature-rich offering in the Kia Forte includes standard Apple CarPlay since 2019, with the smartphone connectivity going wireless from 2022 and beyond.
2017 and 2018 Kia Forte models only had Apple CarPlay in the higher trims, leaving the base LX without smartphone compatibility.
Unfortunately, the 2016 and older Kia Fortes did not have Apple CarPlay.
#3 Kia Optima
Kia Optima met its demise at the end of 2020, so midsize car buyers wanting a value-packed sedan can opt for the new-and-improved K5 (next on the list).
Kia Optima models from 2018 to 2020 enjoyed standard Apple CarPlay integration.
Meanwhile, the 2016 and 2017 Kia Forte had Apple CarPlay in the pricier trims, like the EX, SX, and SXL, leaving the base LX without smartphone connectivity.
2015 and older Kia Fortes did not have Apple CarPlay.
#4 Kia K5
As the replacement for the older Optima, the Kia K5 offers great value, with wireless Apple CarPlay integration a standard provision for all model years since 2021.
#5 Kia Stinger
This sports sedan offers excellent value on top of entertaining levels of performance.
All Kia Stinger models since the 2018 debut have had standard Apple CarPlay integration, but none have wireless connectivity.
Kia SUVs with Apple CarPlay
#6 Kia Soul
This boxy little crossover has a roomy interior and many standard features for the money.
The Kia Soul has had Apple CarPlay as a standard provision since 2020, although wireless connectivity isn’t yet available.
Kia Soul models from 2017 to 2019 have Apple CarPlay but only in the upper trims, while the 2016 and older variants didn’t have Apple smartphone compatibility.
#7 Kia Seltos
Kia Seltos first appeared in 2021, and it has had Apple CarPlay as a standard provision since, although the connectivity has yet to go wireless.
#8 Kia Sportage
Since 2020, Kia Sportage has had Apple CarPlay integration as standard, with the 2023 model beginning to have wireless connectivity.
Most Kia Sportage SUVs from 2017 to 2019 had Apple CarPlay, except for the base LX trim.
2016 and older Kia Sportage did not have Apple CarPlay functionality.
#9 Kia Niro & Niro Plug-In Hybrid
The Korean marque made wireless Apple CarPlay standard with the infotainment system for the Kia Niro crossover in 2021, and the provision has remained since, including for the Niro plug-in-hybrid variant.
2017 to 2020 Kia Niro and (2018 to 2020) Kia Niro PHEV also had standard Apple CarPlay, but via a wired connection.
#10 Kia Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, & Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Kia Sorento is a small SUV with three rows of seats from 2019 onwards.
Kia Sorento has had standard Apple CarPlay since 2019, including the later-released Sorento Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid, although the connection didn’t go wireless until 2023.
2017 and 2018 Kia Sorento compact SUVs also had Apple CarPlay, but only in the upper trims, with the lower trims like the L and LX not enjoying any smartphone connectivity.
Kia Sorentos made in 2016 and earlier did not have Apple CarPlay.
#11 Kia Telluride
Since the highly impressive midsize three-row Kia Telluride debuted in 2020, it has had standard Apple CarPlay connectivity.
However, no Kia Telluride SUVs have wireless Apple CarPlay yet.
Nevertheless, Telluride’s long list of other standard features, spacious interior, and attractive styling are strong reasons to put it at the top of your midsize SUV shopping list.
Kia Minivans with Apple CarPlay
#12 Kia Carnival
The Carnival minivan replaced the outgoing Sedona in 2022.
Kia Carnival has had Apple CarPlay smartphone integration since 2022, but none has obtained wireless connectivity.
#13 Kia Sedona
Though discontinued after 2021, the Kia Sedona had standard Apple CarPlay from 2019 to 2021, while the 2017 and 2018 models had the integration in the higher trims.
Unfortunately, the 2016 and older Kia Sedona minivans did not have Apple CarPlay compatibility.
Kia Electric Vehicles with Apple CarPlay
#14 Kia Niro EV
From its 2019 debut onwards, the Kia Niro EV has had standard Apple CarPlay integration alongside a wireless charging pad.
Kia Niro EV gained wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity as standard equipment at the beginning of 2023 when the re-designed second-gen debuted.
#15 Kia EV6
This electric SUV is one of the best-looking EVs and has impressively balanced handling, making it fun to drive.
2022 and newer Kia EV6 electric SUVs have Apple CarPlay as a standard provision, but none has wireless connectivity yet.
Rival Makes & Models with Apple CarPlay
The following choices from mainstream carmakers are worth exploring:
- Toyota cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Honda cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Mazda cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Subaru cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Nissan cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Hyundai cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Volkswagen cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Ford vehicles with Apple CarPlay.
- Chevrolet vehicles with Apple CarPlay.
- Jeep SUVs with Apple CarPlay.
- MINI cars with Apple CarPlay.
These premium automakers also have models with Apple smartphone integration:
- Audi cars with Apple CarPlay.
- BMW cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Mercedes cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Volvo cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Lexus cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Acura cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Infiniti cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Genesis cars with Apple CarPlay.
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