Android Auto and CarPlay are still a big selling point for new cars, but Mazda vehicles have been missing the touchscreen needed for years to truly enjoy these infotainment experiences.Now this is finally starting to change.
In Mazda vehicles, the infotainment display has long been controlled by a “commander’s stick” located in the cabin next to the gear lever.The pen supports directional input as well as scrolling and tapping to select content on the screen.This works very well in Mazda’s native OS, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are more optimized for touchscreen input.Navigating these phone platforms can often be a bit annoying with a pen compared to a touch screen, and during its latest redesign, Android Auto even briefly interrupted pen input.
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Starting with the 2024 Mazda CX-5, the infotainment screen moves from a simple rotary control to a touchscreen.
Mazda is offering a touchscreen on all trims of the latest CX-5 for the 10.25-inch infotainment display, and it will work with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.Mazda explains in a press release (H/T: The Autopian):
The 10.25-inch full-color center display features the latest Mazda Connect infotainment system, which can be controlled via the multi-function control knob and integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, now with touchscreen functionality.
This won’t change anything for current Mazda owners, but it goes without saying that more Mazda vehicles will also adopt the new input method in the future.Although this may take some time.The 2024 CX-50m, which was announced in mid-July, won’t get a touchscreen, still relying on a control stick, and the 2024 Mazda3 also doesn’t have a touchscreen yet.
The 2024 Mazda CX-5 hits dealerships this fall, starting at $29,300.
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