UPDATE: Mazda cautions owners from trying to DIY this kit (6/12).
The time has come. After Mazda announced that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support is going to be made available to older vehicles last year, Mazda owners in the Philippines can now avail of the kit at all authorized dealerships nationwide.
Confirmed by Mazda Philippines, the kit can be installed on all Mazda vehicles equipped with the Mazda Connect system (this means pretty much all models from 2014 upward). The kit, which is now being rolled out at all authorized Mazda dealerships will cost P 17,500 plus VAT inclusive of installation charges and a 1-year warranty.
“There has been a strong demand for the Mazda Connect system to be able to work seamlessly with popular smartphone applications,” shared Steven Tan, president and CEO of Bermaz Auto Philippines. “We hear our customers and now we have made available the official Mazda hardware kit that expands Mazda Connect features to include navigation, music, and even search applications. The upgrade kit retains the full functionality designed into Mazda Connect that makes it intuitive and safe to control by both driver and passenger.”
The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto kit comes with both hardware and software upgrades including a pair of more powerful fast-charging 2.1-amp USB ports. The install will require about two hours to install. Since stocks are limited, Mazda Philippines suggests to get in touch with your nearest dealership to check availability and to set an appointment for installation.
We have been testing the Mazda Connect’s Apple CarPlay kit for about two months now on a 2018 CX-5 Skyactiv-D. So far, we’ve been very happy with the installation, although there are two things worth noting.
First, make sure to use a reliable high-speed USB cable (such as the OE cable supplied with your iPhone). Using a cheap third-party cable may cause unwanted disconnections, such as when using the hands-free calling function.
Second, because the Apple CarPlay system is designed to use the touchscreen and the Mazda Connect automatically cuts off the touchscreen function at speed, you’ll need to use the Commander Control Knob to navigate around. Admittedly, this takes some time to get used to, but because the home screen is customizable, at least the amount of scrolling can be minimized. Oh, and Siri Hands-Free also works fine.
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