New RAV4 will be the first Toyota sold locally with Apple Car Play and Android Auto but it won’t be available until late 2019. Other models will follow.

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Toyota Australia is finally poised to roll out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across its new-car range – starting with the new RAV4 which goes on sale this week. However, the technology won’t be fitted to cars on the production line until later this year. The initial batch of new-generation RAV4s delivered in Australia between now and the fourth quarter of 2019 will need to be taken back to the dealer for a free upgrade if customers want to take up the option. Toyota says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring tech is also able to be “retro-fitted” to certain models such as the new generation Corolla hatch and Camry sedan, but that will be at an extra cost. Toyota Australia is yet to define how much the “retro-fitted” Apple Car Play and Android Auto update will cost on eligible cars.

Mazda charges $495 for Apple Car Play and Android Auto to be “retro-fitted” to its cars with MZD Connect that date back to 2014, however CarAdvice understands the Toyota accessory would cost less than this. Most other mainstream brands have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment in most new models. The exception in the Top 10 is Nissan and certain models in the Honda and Mazda ranges. Toyota said it will begin rolling out smartphone mirroring integration with each new model but declined to nominate which car was next in the queue. Unfortunately for Toyota HiLux owners, the infotainment system in the current generation ute is not compatible with Toyota’s latest Apple Car Play and Android Auto integration.

It means Australia’s biggest selling car isn’t likely to get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto until the next major facelift, due in about 18 months from now at the mid-way point in the current model cycle. A statement from Toyota Australia head of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would “add further convenience and functionality to the already sophisticated multimedia system”. “We know that today’s customers want to be able to access their smartphone apps anywhere, anytime and these systems offer a safe and convenient means of doing that directly through the advanced in-vehicle multimedia system,” said Mr Hanley. “For RAV4, we are offering the added functionality of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at no extra cost,” he said.

The Toyota statement added: “All RAV4s delivered from the fourth quarter 2019 will have the feature already installed. Customers taking delivery of their new-generation RAV4 before that time will require a quick visit to the local dealership to have it installed at no additional cost”. More details will be provided about the rollout of the technology on other Toyota models at the end of the year. MORE: Toyota RAV4 news, reviews, comparisons and videos

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