If you are currently car shopping or just trying to figure out why your phone won't sync, you're likely asking what year did subaru get apple carplay so you can finally ditch that clunky suction-cup phone mount. The short answer is that 2017 was the official kickoff year, but like most things with car tech, it wasn't a "one size fits all" rollout across every single model at the same time.
Subaru has always been a bit more focused on symmetrical all-wheel drive and safety ratings than on having the flashiest infotainment systems. For a long time, we were stuck with the proprietary Starlink system, which—to be perfectly honest—wasn't exactly a crowd favorite. When Apple CarPlay finally arrived, it changed the game for Subaru owners who just wanted their Spotify playlists and Google Maps to show up on the dashboard without a fight.
The 2017 Impreza Started the Trend
The very first Subaru to get the Apple CarPlay treatment was the 2017 Impreza. When Subaru redesigned the Impreza for the 2017 model year, they moved it over to the Subaru Global Platform and decided it was finally time to join the modern era of smartphone integration.
If you pick up a 2017 Impreza, even the base model usually has it. This was a huge deal at the time because, before this, Subaru's head units were known for being a little… temperamental. Having the ability to plug in your iPhone and see that familiar interface was a massive selling point. It made the car feel much more modern than the 2016 models sitting right next to it on the lot.
The 2018 Expansion: The Big Three Join In
While the Impreza was the guinea pig in 2017, 2018 was the year things really started moving. This is the year that Subaru's heavy hitters—the ones you see in every grocery store parking lot—finally got the tech upgrade.
For the 2018 model year, Subaru added Apple CarPlay to: * The Crosstrek (which was redesigned that year) * The Outback * The Legacy
If you're looking at a used Outback or Legacy, the jump from 2017 to 2018 is significant purely because of this. In the 2017 Outback, you were still stuck using Subaru's built-in navigation (if the car even had it) or trying to navigate via Bluetooth audio, which always had a weird lag. The 2018 models solved that. The 6.5-inch and 8.0-inch Starlink screens became much more responsive and actually looked like they belonged in a modern vehicle.
2019: The Rest of the Family Catches Up
By 2019, Subaru pretty much finished the rollout across the entire lineup. If you're asking what year did subaru get apple carplay for the Forester or the WRX, 2019 is your magic number.
The 2019 Forester redesign was a big one, and CarPlay was a standard feature from the base trim all the way up to the Touring. That same year, the WRX and STI finally got it, along with the BRZ and the then-brand-new three-row Ascent. It's kind of funny to think that you could buy a performance car like the WRX in 2018 and still not have CarPlay, but that's just how Subaru's timeline worked out.
What About Older Subarus?
One question that pops up a lot is whether you can "update" an older Subaru to have Apple CarPlay. Maybe you have a 2015 Forester or a 2016 Outback and you're hoping a software flash at the dealership will fix everything.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it doesn't work that way. The head units in the pre-CarPlay years don't have the necessary hardware to run the Apple software. It's not just a matter of a quick download; the internals of the screen and the USB ports are different.
However, don't lose hope. If you love your older Subaru but hate the radio, you can always go the aftermarket route. Plenty of people swap out their older Starlink units for a Sony, Alpine, or Pioneer head unit. It's a bit of an investment, but it's a lot cheaper than buying a whole new car just to get your maps on the screen.
The Move to Wireless Apple CarPlay
For a long time, even after Subaru added CarPlay, you still had to use a physical cord. You'd get in, fumble with your lightning cable, and plug it in to get the system to boot up. It worked fine, but it wasn't as seamless as it could be.
Subaru finally started introducing Wireless Apple CarPlay around 2023. The 2023 Outback and Legacy were among the first to get the big 11.6-inch vertical screens that allowed you to leave your phone in your pocket or on the wireless charging pad. The 2024 Crosstrek and the 2024 Forester followed suit.
If you're looking at a car from the 2019-2022 era, just keep in mind that you'll still need a decent USB cable. Pro tip: buy a high-quality, MFi-certified cable. Subaru's systems can be a little picky, and a cheap gas station cord will often cause the connection to drop right when you're in the middle of a tricky highway merger.
Is It Worth Picking a Specific Year for This?
Honestly? Yes. If you're debating between a 2016 and a 2018 Outback, and the price difference isn't massive, go for the 2018. Having Apple CarPlay makes the car feel five years newer than it actually is. It ensures that your navigation is always up to date, your voice-to-text actually works, and you aren't stuck dealing with a car manufacturer's outdated map software.
Subaru's "Starlink" app suite was an attempt to do what Apple and Google already perfected, and it just couldn't keep up. Once you experience the ease of CarPlay in a Subaru, it's really hard to go back to a car that doesn't have it.
Summary Checklist by Model
If you're out on a car lot right now and need a quick reference, here is the breakdown of the first years each model included Apple CarPlay:
- Impreza: 2017
- Crosstrek: 2018
- Outback: 2018
- Legacy: 2018
- Forester: 2019
- WRX / STI: 2019
- BRZ: 2019
- Ascent: 2019 (all models since launch)
So, if you're looking for a stress-free driving experience with all your apps at your fingertips, aim for those years or newer. It saves you from the headache of trying to mount your phone to an air vent and makes every road trip—or even just the morning commute—a whole lot smoother. Subarus are built to last forever, and having this tech on board ensures the interior stays as relevant as the engine under the hood.