Lexus Vehicles with Apple CarPlay (8 Models: Full List)
Newer infotainment systems that feature high-resolution touchscreen displays and support smartphone integrations like Apple CarPlay are essential for the convenience and optimal enjoyment of modern automobiles.
The Lexus luxury cars and SUVs in this post have Apple CarPlay, either wireless or wired via a USB cable.
Do All Lexus Have Apple CarPlay & When Did They Get It?
The latest Lexus vehicles have Apple CarPlay with the marque’s infotainment system for entertainment, navigation, and connectivity.
Lexus cars and SUVs started getting Apple CarPlay compatibility in 2019 through 2021, with the LS 500 large sedan the first Lexus to have that smartphone functionality.
Wireless smartphone charging and voice recognition are integral to the newer infotainment systems.
Check the corresponding table to see when each Lexus model below has Apple CarPlay.
Meanwhile, Android device users may find the post on Lexus with Android Auto useful.
Lexus Cars with Apple CarPlay
#1 Lexus IS
The Lexus IS range had several models, notably the IS 250, IS 300, and IS 350.
Beginning with the Lexus IS 250, spanning 2006 to 2015, this sedan had neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto.
Next in the numerical order is the IS 300, Lexus’ smallest sedan.
Since 2021, the Lexus IS 300 has had Apple CarPlay integration as a standard provision.
Unfortunately, the remaining third-generation Lexus IS 300 models covering 2016 to 2020 did not feature Apple CarPlay.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus IS 300 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus IS 300 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2021 Lexus IS 300 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2020 & earlier | No. | None. |
Besides being pricier than the IS 300, the IS 350 is also more powerful and slightly thirstier.
2021 and newer Lexus IS 350 sedans had Apple CarPlay functionality in their standard equipment list.
Other third-gen Lexus IS 350 models from 2014 to 2020 had no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus IS 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus IS 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2021 Lexus IS 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2020 & earlier | No. | None. |
#2 Lexus ES & ES Hybrid
The ES range has several models that include:
- ES 300.
- ES 300h Hybrid.
- ES 350.
Production for the Lexus ES 300 terminated after 2003, with no Apple CarPlay, while the Lexus ES 300h Hybrid had Apple CarPlay from 2021 onwards.
Meanwhile, all Lexus ES 350 sedans since 2020 have supported Apple CarPlay as standard, while 2023 and newer models enjoy wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Shoppers wanting Apple CarPlay in the used 2019 Lexus ES 350 will need to opt for one of the higher trims.
If you get a 2018 or older Lexus ES 350, you’ll have to make do without Apple CarPlay support.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus ES 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus ES 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2021 Lexus ES 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2020 Lexus ES 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2019 Lexus ES 350 | Yes | Select trims. |
| 2018 & earlier | No. | None. |
#3 Lexus LS & LS Hybrid
Lexus LS 500 is one of the top picks among large luxury sedans, with arguably the quietest cabin at all speeds on all surfaces, and it’s available with a gasoline-only or hybrid powertrain.
Apple CarPlay integration became standard equipment for the 2019 and newer Lexus LS 500 sedans.
The 2018 Lexus LS 500 is the only model within the fifth-generation LS that doesn’t support Apple CarPlay.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus LS 500 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus LS 500 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2021 Lexus LS 500 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2020 Lexus LS 500 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2019 Lexus LS 500 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2018 Lexus LS 500 | No. | None. |
Lexus SUVs with Apple CarPlay
#4 Lexus UX & UX Hybrid
UX 200 and UX 250h are notable entrants from this SUV range, with the former discontinued after 2022.
The UX 200 and UX 250h Hybrid are Lexus’ entry-level crossover SUVs, and they have had standard Apple CarPlay since 2020, while the 2019 Lexus UX supported Apple CarPlay only in the higher trims.
#5 Lexus NX, NX Hybrid & NX Plug-In Hybrid
Notable models within the range include the NX 250, NX 300, NX 350, and NX 350h Hybrid, although the NX 300 was a revised name from NX 200t in 2018.
Having debuted in 2022 as an all-new variant, the Lexus NX 250 supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the get-go.
However, the NX 300 had a relatively short lifespan, with the Japanese marque producing the model from 2018 to 2021.
2020 and 2021 Lexus NX 300 SUVs are the ones to get if you want standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration across the range.
Unfortunately, the 2018 and 2019 Lexus NX 300 received no Apple CarPlay support, meaning all 2017 and older Lexus 200t similarly lacked Apple CarPlay functionality.
The Lexus NX 350 and NX 350h Hybrid replaced the outgoing 300 and 300h in 2022; both NX 350 and NX 350h have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in their standard equipment lists from 2022 onwards.
#6 Lexus RX & RX Hybrid
This midsize two-row SUV has long been a quiet and comfortable choice among Lexus shoppers, and this model is available in the RX 350 (regular gas), RX 350L (long wheelbase), and RX 450h (hybrid) variants.
Those wanting Apple CarPlay functionality in their Lexus RX 350 should opt for a 2020 or newer model, though the SUV gained wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity for 2023 and beyond.
The rest of the fourth-generation Lexus RX 350 (from 2016 to 2019) did not have Apple CarPlay among its technology features.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus RX 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus RX 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2021 Lexus RX 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2020 Lexus RX 350 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2019 & earlier | No. | None. |
Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay came on board as standard for the hybridized Lexus RX 450h midsize SUV from 2020 onwards.
Still, buyers interested in the used 2018 or 2019 Lexus RX 450h will be disappointed as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t available.
#7 Lexus GX
This midsize three-row SUV has a body-on-frame construction and better off-road capability than most Lexus stablemates.
The Lexus GX 460 was late to the smartphone integration party, adding Apple CarPlay functionality only in 2022, though the feature has remained since.
Unfortunately, no Lexus GX 460 SUVs have yet to gain wireless connectivity with their Apple CarPlay feature.
Second-gen Lexus GX 460 models between 2010 and 2021 didn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a letdown considering the price.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus GX 460 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus GX 460 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2021 & earlier | No. | None. |
#8 Lexus LX
The LX 600 replaced the previous LX 570 generation in 2022 as Lexus’ sole large two-row SUV.
Wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility has been a standard feature in the Lexus LX 600 since its 2022 debut.
| Model Years | Apple CarPlay | Trim Levels |
| 2023 Lexus LX 600 | Yes | Standard. |
| 2022 Lexus LX 600 | Yes | Standard. |
Those researching the older Lexus LX 570 will be sorely disappointed as none of its model years (2008 to 2021) supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality.
So, if smartphone compatibility is crucial in your full-size Lexus SUV, opt for the newer LX 600 instead.
Rival Makes & Models with Apple CarPlay
These luxury carmakers also have cars and SUVs with Apple smartphone integration:
- Audi cars with Apple CarPlay.
- BMW cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Mercedes cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Volvo cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Acura cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Infiniti cars with Apple CarPlay.
- Genesis cars with Apple CarPlay.
Although the following manufacturers are mainstream ones, they have an upscale interior design that surpasses their direct rivals:
Toyota is the parent company of Lexus, so you wish to explore more affordable yet similarly reliable Toyota with Apple CarPlay options.
References:
https://www.lexus.com/models/categories/suvs
