Hyundai models are getting Android Auto and CarPlay with a DIY update

Hyundai just announced a bunch of updates to some of its 2015, 2016, and 2017 models that let owners add support for Android Auto and CarPlay at no additional cost — and even better, there's no trip to the dealer, because you can do the upgrade on your own. (Hyundai notes that if you don't want to deal with the do-it-yourself approach, you can take the car into a dealer and they'll do it for a fee.) Versions of the Sonata, Santa Fe, Genesis, Elantra GT, and Tucson are eligible, depending on what infotainment package they've got installed; announcements for upgrades to the 2016 Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, Veloster, and Azera are expected "soon."

Outside Tesla, retroactive updates to add features are still rare in the auto industry — Ford being one of the few exceptions, which has been offering DIY upgrades to its Sync and MyFord Touch platforms for several years, and has said it will offer Android Auto and CarPlay as Sync 3 upgrades for 2016 models. But as "connected car" creeps into the vernacular, an increasing number of car buyers will expect vehicles to be updatable the same way their smartphones are.

This comes close, but the update time is a little more than you'd expect on a phone: depending on the model and the infotainment system, Hyundai says the total download and installation time can be as long as 3 hours, 40 minutes.

Verge Reviews: Android Auto

• SourceHyundai