Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay mirrors a simplified version of your iPhone onto the car’s screen, so you control maps, calls, messages and music through the car’s display and voice rather than fishing for your phone. It is designed to keep your attention on the road.

For a rental it is a real upgrade because it brings your own familiar apps and accounts into an unfamiliar car. Your preferred maps app with live traffic, your music, your contacts — all available without setting anything up in the car itself.

Connecting is usually a matter of plugging the iPhone into the car’s USB port, or pairing wirelessly if the car supports it. The CarPlay interface then appears on the central screen and takes over the relevant functions.

It is one of the most useful things to check for when booking, especially if you rely on your phone for navigation. When you return the car, disconnect your phone so your data does not linger on the screen for the next renter.