10 of the Cheapest Vehicles With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for 2023
Smartphone mirroring has made its way to the least expensive models.
Hyundai
Some new cars are the very definition of cheap and cheerful — especially if you get a lot of pleasure from hearing music or audiobooks from your smartphone playing through the car's speakers.
Let's look at some of the cheapest new cars (including some small SUVs) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. While some of these cars may scrimp on whiz-bang features, they all allow you to mirror your smartphone for access to music, apps, and more.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are common in the 2023 vehicle model year, though not all CarPlay and Android Auto systems are the same: Most on this list require you to bring a charging cable along, but some offer standard or optional wireless connectivity.
All prices include a mandatory destination charge, and we've rounded them to the nearest $1,000.
Mitsubishi | 2022 Mirage
2023 Mitsubishi Mirage: $18,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Mitsubishi Mirage, one of the cheapest vehicles in the U.S., has few standard tech features beyond Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for its bargain-basement price. There's a USB port, a 12V power outlet, and a 7.0-inch screen that mirrors your connected smartphone display.
Kia
2023 Kia Rio: $18,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The least expensive Kia Rio LX trim level comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This version of the Rio also features an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a USB port, and steering wheel–mounted audio controls.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Versa: $20,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Nissan Versa is officially the cheapest new car for sale in the U.S., with a starting price of less than $16,000. But you need to skip the base manual transmission and add both the optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and an option package that costs about $1,200 to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. That S+ package also includes alloy wheels and a split-folding rear seatback.
Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Venue: $21,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
One of the cheapest SUVs for sale in the U.S., the Hyundai Venue comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility on the entry-level SE. You won't need a cord to mirror your phone via an 8.0-inch touchscreen unless you opt for the Limited trim, though a pair of USB charging ports and a 12V power outlet are also included.
Kia
2023 Kia Soul: $21,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The entry-level Kia Soul LX comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a USB port, a six-speaker audio system, and a digital instrument cluster. The step-up Kia Soul S doubles the USB port count and swaps out the 8.0-inch touchscreen for a 10.25-inch screen.
Kia
2023 Kia Forte: $21,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Kia Forte is another heavy hitter in the bang-for-the-buck sweepstakes, especially because its overall length — nearly 183 inches — makes it one of the bigger vehicles on this list (the Mitsubishi Mirage, for example, is less than 152 inches long). The base Forte LX has standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker audio system, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen display.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Sentra: $21,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Nissan Sentra S comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displayed via a 7.0-inch touchscreen that's paired with a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sentra SV brings an 8.0-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, and two more speakers.
Subaru | 2022 Impreza
2023 Subaru Impreza: $21,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Subaru Impreza lands near the top of this list with its entry-level model, which brings standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via a rather small 6.5-inch touchscreen and a single USB port. The Impreza's standard all-wheel drive is likely to increase its appeal to U.S. Snowbelters, while an optional CD player (included in the step-up Premium trim level) is a rarity regardless of price point these days.
Nissan
2023 Nissan Kicks: $22,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The SUV-like Nissan Kicks comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration starting with the S base model. The Kicks S also includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system. The next trim level up, the Kicks SV, features an 8.0-inch touchscreen and satellite radio.
Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Elantra: $22,000 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Rounding out the list for 2023 is the Hyundai Elantra SE, which uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also includes two USB ports and a four-speaker audio system.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Mark HackingMark Hacking is an award-winning writer with more than 20 years experience covering the automotive scene for some of the world's most popular publications. Mark holds an FIA International Race license and has his sights set on competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the future. He was the first automotive journalist to race in the Ferrari Challenge series (in 2013) and the Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy series (in 2019).
Related articles
View more related articles