Hyundai Canada To Owners: No Android Auto And Apple CarPlay Ugrades For You
You might recall that I have been watching a story on Hyundai USA rolling out upgrades that give existing owners of some of their vehicles Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, it was questionable if Canadians would get the same treatment. It is now becoming clear that Canadians will not be getting the same treatment. Owners of Hyundai vehicles in Canada who e-mail into Hyundai Canada are apparently getting this response from the company:
“Thank you for contacting Hyundai Auto Canada.
We are sorry in the inconvenience this has caused you. We understand this could be upsetting. The information we have been given is that due to the fundamental differences in both hardware and required functionality (such as bilingual services) between Canadian and US vehicles, there will be no retrofitting of the model year 2016 (or prior) Hyundai vehicles in Canada. At this time, the Android Auto feature is only available for 2017 Elantra (sedan only) and the 2017 Sonata (excluding hybrid and plug-in hybrid). Thank you for your understanding.”
Needless to say, this is not going over well with owners in Canada for two reasons. First is the fact that Hyundai Canada continues to advertise Android Auto on the 2016 Tucson which seems to fly in the face of what they have stated above. Second is that the fact that other Hyundai owners in other geographies are getting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay upgrades as I type this. Between these two items, it really makes Hyundai Canada look really, really bad.
One thing that I should point out is that Canadians who have “acquired” the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay update from the US have confirmed that the infotainment system used in the Canadian version of the Tuscon is somehow different than the US. And whatever that difference is stops the upgrade from installing. Now to be fair to Hyundai, that makes sense as I do know that at the very least, the hardware needed to support Blue Link which is Hyundai’s telematics system that is similar to GM’s OnStar system isn’t present on Canadian vehicles. So it seems reasonable to assume that there might be other differences too.
My $0.02 worth on this: I think Hyundai Canada needs to do a better job of clearing the air on this issue. Yes, they have put out some talking points on this issue. And if you e-mail them, you get a response that seems to be consistent. But it doesn’t change the fact that many Canadians who bought their vehicles over the last little while feel like they’ve been the victim of a “bait and switch.” Given that companies such as Ford and FCA are offering updates to millions of their customers that give them some or all of this functionality, it may be wise for Hyundai Canada to either get onto that bandwagon as quickly as possible, or explain in a robust way why it isn’t going to happen and make owners of their vehicles feel better than some of them presently do. I say that because consumers expect their cars to be upgradeable from a software perspective just like their computers and phones are. And if they aren’t, it will alter the perception of the car company as well as the buying decision of the consumer. Hyundai Canada might want to really think about that as they plot out what their next move is going to be to make this issue go away.
June 6, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Totally agree.
One additional reason that they should do upgrades is that the current voice recognition is abysmal. The maps aren’t too bad, but seem to be out of date in a lot of areas.
Does anyone think there is a case of legal action here? After all, they have and continue to advertise this feature!
June 6, 2016 at 1:41 pm
I am not a lawyer, but I don’t think legal action is an option. At the time I bought my Tucson, this was not an advertised feature. So in my opinion, this wasn’t promised. Now it is an advertised feature (at least the Android Auto part). But nothing says that prior buyers are promised this feature. But I am a computer geek and not a lawyer. Perhaps a lawyer may want to comment. Having said that, the optics of the situation suck for Hyundai Canada. If I were them, I’d be more concerned about that.
June 14, 2016 at 2:05 am
Man, this sucks, bought the car on the impression it will have AA. Felt getting cheated.
June 14, 2016 at 8:16 am
I’ve posted an update on this story here that you might want to read: https://itnerd.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/hyundai-canada-android-auto-apple-carplay-the-plot-thickens/
June 20, 2016 at 10:08 am
Hi there. Would you be willing to speak to me in regards to a story that I am writing on this topic? Please advise.
December 16, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Hi it nerd,
Apple carplay is there now. Can u find out or do u know why hyundai doesn’t have blue link in Canada, whereas USA or mazda and others in Canada do have their mobile apps for remote start, etc.
December 16, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Hyundai does not have BluLink in Canada. Though I have heard rumors that it is coming. I do not know when though… Assuming that the rumors are accurate.
December 16, 2016 at 12:36 pm
Thanks for the quick reply. Looking forward to the blue link . i hope they ll update it into the ones that they just sold.
They charge the same with or without it. Why are they lazy in updating?
December 16, 2016 at 12:48 pm
There’s an almost zero chance that existing cars can be upgraded. BlueLink requires hardware that Canadian Hyundai’s simply do not have. Thus to upgrade them, they will have to retrofit cars which is completely impractical.
September 11, 2017 at 8:06 am
GREAT post. I’m an need 2016 turbo veloster owner in Montreal Canada and extremely frustrated I can not upgrade my navigation system to have Apple CarPlay.
Hopefully Hyundai realizes that they made a big blunder by not allowing even partial usage of CarPlay to Canadians.
My .02 cents.
Lew
Pipeworkpieces.Com
October 6, 2017 at 9:58 am
I’m so frustrated that this feature is not available in Canada. The built-in navigation system is not as accurate as google maps. I wish they enabled android auto in Canada like other countries where the customer pays the same price but gets better services.