Apple CarPlay, touted as "the ultimate co-pilot," has just been made compatible to more than 200 vehicle models following its huge success since it was launched. CarPlay's success is not surprising, given that there are now more than 1 billion active users of Apple products across the globe. The brand has definitely set itself in the technology game.

Apple CarPlay's rivals include Google's Android Auto and Sony's XAV-AX100. While CarPlay and Android Auto have initially been released to fit only newly released cars, Sony's version is built to be compatible with new and old cars.

Following Sony's after-market solution, Apple CarPlay has also followed suit with its subsequent releases. Now, CarPlay can be screened on after-market set-up kits sold by Alpine, JBL, JVC, Kenwood and Pioneer. These after-market kits offer more affordable options, with prices starting at $399.  

CarPlay features a car-built screen that can be connected via Bluetooth or lightning cable to an iPhone, allowing for the smartphone to get 'magnified' on a bigger screen. With this new technology, a driver can have the same access to a more dynamic device such as an iPhone, compared to a GPS-only monitor. With a GPS-only monitor, a driver would have to manage both the vehicle's stereo and the GPS screen when switching between audio and visuals.

CarPlay is also integrated with Siri, so the driver does not have to manually operate the screen when switching between apps, music or videos. Siri is to be integrated not only with Apple apps, but also with third-party apps.

It is important to consider the following before purchasing Apple CarPlay:

- CarPlay set-ups can be expensive with an estimate of under $20,000 for a 2017 Hyundai Elantra fitting.

- CarPlay can only be compatible with iPhone 5 devices and up. iPads won't work.

- The CarPlay system (not the after-market solution), can only work with new cars with the list found below:

ACURA 2017 NSX, Audi 2017 A3 to 2018 Q5, BMW 2017 2 Series to 2017 X6, Cadillac 2016 ELR to 2017 XT5, Chevrolet 2016-2017 Camaro to 2017 Sonic, Citroën 2016-2017 Berlingo Multispace to 2016-2017 C5, Dodge 2017 Challenger to 2017 Charger, Ferrari 2016 FF to 2017 GTC4Lusso, Ford 2017 C-MAX to 2017 Super Duty, GMC 2016-2017 Canyon to 2017 Acadia, Honda 2016-2017 Accord to 2017 Pilot, Hyundai 2015-2016 Genesis Sedan to 2017 Santa Fe Sport, Kia 2014-107 Soul to 2017 Sportage, Mercedes-Benz 2016-2017 A-Class to 2016-2017 GLE-Class, Mitsubishi Motors 2016-2017 Pajero to 2017 Outlander PHEV, Porsche 2017 718 to 2017 Cayenne, Suzuki 2016-2017 Baleno to 2016-2017 Vitara, Volkswagen 2016 Spacefox to 2017 Voyage, and Volvo 2016-2017 XC90 to 2017 V90. For a full list of compatible models, click here.

It is then important to weigh in the option of pulling in a full-blown set-up, or an after-market solution.