I apologize if this has already been discussed before, but do you guys have trouble connecting to apple carplay on the rx? My rdx has a horrible issue with apple carplay (known issue with the car and no fix in sight)-it intermittently fails to recognize the phone or any phone until a factory reset on the infotainment system is performed. Super annoying. Is this also an issue on the rx? Just wanted to make sure because it’s one of the reasons I’m switching from the rdx.

Also, do you guys feel like the screen in the rx is within reach for it to be used as a touchscreen? I heard some car reviewers say it’s a bit out of reach, wanted to hear from actual rx owners.

Thanks!

 

I’ve owned my 2021 RX450h F Sport for two months, and I’ve experienced the issue of the car not recognizing my iPhone. It happened again today after plugging the phone in prior to driving, and I’m using the proper USB port and a genuine Apple certified usb cable. I drove for an hour, stopped for a coffee, got back in, and boom, now it works. I have no idea why, but it’s frustrating. And on the touch screen, I have to lean forward just slightly to make contact, and I’m 6’1”. I’m hoping that a future software update will correct the connection problem. Oh, and one more thing, the phone slot with the usb wired connection is something to get use to; I don’t know how many times I’ve exited the car and forgotten my phone. Wish it were wireless.

 

Sometimes the answer is right in front of us. On my Avalon the CarPlay was just a PIA. Sometimes it would come on and sometimes it wouldn’t when I plugged it in. Finally I realized I had to unlock the phones screen to get CarPlay to work. Obviously I’m not a tech guru.

 

Excellent point! I’ll check to make sure it’s unlocked before plugging, unplugging and throwing the phone out the window.

 

Does it happen pretty frequently?

 

I find the touchscreen to be a bit of reach, and use the trackpad as much or more as I use the touchscreen. It mostly depends on the function. Activating one button is easier for me when using the touchscreen. A multi-touch process is easier on the touchscreen. FWIW, I'm not a lean-back driver; my seat back is fairly vertical.

My comments, BTW, are observations, not complaints. There is an inherent contradiction in having a screen that is in the driver's visual range (as is the RX screen) and having a screen close to the hand for easy touch. Although a touchscreen on the '20+ 4th gen is clearly an afterthought, I'm fine with it.

 

I went to the car this morning with my iPhone locked (facial recognition), plugged in the phone, started the car and projection showed Apple Car Play working without unlocking the phone? You know, it’s inconsistent, so if I’m in a hurry I don’t try troubleshooting. This is going to be sorted out by Lexus and, with enough complaints, sooner than later. I’m very happy with this ‘21 450h vs. the ‘19 RX350L that I had with the extremely annoying hesitation on acceleration. Highly, highly recommend the hybrid.

 

I actually called a few different dealerships today for a test drive but no one has any hybrids in stock! Seems like it’s a very popular car

 

My system occasionally does not recognize my iPhone, even if I unlock prior. I have tried every version of unlock, attach, start, etc and it seems to randomly not boot CarPlay. Only happens maybe once out of 25 driving sessions. I just reconnect and it works. Overall I am very happy with the CarPlay system for what I use it for. It has been working flawlessly minus that occasional hiccup.

For me the touchscreen has been great. I find the ergonomics to be fine for my driving position/etc. I really dislike trackpads, so when Lexus added the touchscreen I was very happy. I forget that sometimes voice commands are also an option.

 

Keep searching, and don’t buy until you have a chance to drive both non-hybrid and hybrid. Back in 2008 we bought a new RX400h hybrid and the CVT transmission drove me nuts, but today’s eCVT in the new Lexus is much better. Idea: check out, “Your Auto Advocate” on YouTube. Good guys and maybe they can assist in finding the hybrid RX. Good luck.

 

My wife has had her 2020 RX350 for 10 months; I've had my 2021 RX450h for about 7 months. We both use CarPlay (primarily for listening to "our" tunes) and Waze.

On almost every startup - whether the iPhone is locked or unlocked - CarPlay comes up automatically. The few times it hasn't, I press the "Menu" button just above the track pad; CarPlay comes up on the screen; and I press the touchscreen to activate it.

On our RXs, CarPlay is much less finicky than previous vehicles we have owned.

 

2021 450H, no Carplay issues. Has worked flawlessly since I got the car. Phone does not need to be unlocked.

I am using both an iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro.

If folks are having issues I would first:

1. Try another phone
2. Try another cable (yes even Apple cables can be bad) I am using Amazon branded cables successfully mostly because they are cheap and I love the length and cool silver braided look in the car.

I doubt the car/software is the issue given the fact it updates over the air, and we would have a lot of people complaining on here since we all essentially would have the same bug.

 

2021 RX 350 for almost 2 months and never had an issue with Apple Carplay with my iPhone 12

 

I got the situation sometimes.
At that situation,
1. you need to check a notification to unlock on your phone. I recommend that you check if the Carplay menu is created after connecting the iPhone.
2. If the situation persists, a simple way is to turn the rx engine off and on again. It's actually resetting the multimedia settings, and it's simpler this way than going into the menu.
3. You need to replace the USB cable with a brand new one. If you can, use it with a certified one by Apple.


About touching the screen, I didn't even touch the screen 10 times for 7months (my rx is 2021)😂😂 and you know, it has been gone on the next info system (2022 new NX).

Enjoy safe driving!

 

Today, CarPlay failed to connect even though my iPhone was charging while the engine was running. So, I swapped out the lightning cable with a new spare, and, presto! CarPlay connected properly.