The 2018 Lexus RX350 did not come with Apple CarPlay, and the auto manufacturer does not offer any way to retrofit this popular connectivity feature. You can play music from your iPhone with Bluetooth or use Siri Eyes Free in your Lexus RX350, but you’ll have to get an aftermarket upgrade to enjoy all the functionality of Apple CarPlay.

Apple CarPlay was only introduced to the Lexus RX350 in 2020, so you’ll need to get creative if you have a Lexus RX350 from 2019 or earlier. Lexus offered owners of certain older Lexus models the option to retrofit their infotainment setup with Apple CarPlay, but a 2018 RX350 was not one of them.

If you can’t live without Apple CarPlay in your 2018 Lexus RX350, have no fear!

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Does the 2018 Lexus RX350 have Apple CarPlay?

The 2018 Lexus RX350 did not come with Apple CarPlay, nor did Lexus offer any way to retrofit this feature once the technology became available.

Apple CarPlay was added to the Lexus RX350 in 2020. Lexus did offer Apple CarPlay retrofitting for certain 2018 models, like the LS and the NX, but not any of the RX models. The Lexus RX350 does, however, offer Bluetooth connectivity to play music and use Siri Eyes Free.

Siri Eyes Free was kind of like a precursor to Apple CarPlay. It doesn’t offer any of the visual integration with your Lexus infotainment system, but it does allow you to link Siri with your car’s voice commands. You can speak texts, make calls, play music, and more with your vocal cords and an easy little button on your RX350 steering wheel.

MORE:

Lexus RX 350 towing capacity

How to add Apple CarPlay to a 2018 Lexus RX 350

So Lexus won’t upgrade a 2018 RX350 with retroactive Apple CarPlay technology—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find an alternative aftermarket option to install on your own!

The cost of aftermarket Apple CarPlay software tends to range from $400 to $1,500, depending on how nice of a system you have. You can always buy this technology online, but it may be more beneficial to go to a tech store where you can talk with a knowledgeable sales representative who can help you find a compatible option.

For example, certain aftermarket Apple CarPlay setups require a Double DIN harness, like

this one

. Someone familiar with the tech may be able to tell you exactly what you need for your 2018 RX350, what equipment will work best, and even some tips for an easy installation!

MORE:

How to build a custom Lexus RX 350

Which Lexus models have Apple CarPlay?

Maybe you don’t actually own a Lexus RX350 yet and just wanted to do some research before you committed to a used model. If that’s the case, you may want to look at one of these models from Lexus that do come with Apple CarPlay:

2020–2022 RX

2021–2022 RX Hybrid

2019–2022 ES

2019–2022 LC

2019–2022 LS

2019–2022 NX

2019–2022 RC

2019–2022 RC F

2019–2022 UX

2021–2022 ES Hybrid

2021—2022 IS

2021—2022 LC Convertible

2021–2022 LC Hybrid

2021–2022 LS Hybrid

2021–2022 NX Hybrid

2021–2022 UX Hybrid

2022 GX

2023 RZ

MORE:

Are Lexus expensive to maintain?

How to lower your Lexus RX 350 insurance costs

Once you’ve fine-tuned the device integration in your 2018 Lexus RX350, why not take some extra time to fine-tune your insurance costs? Think about it this way: You’re already setting yourself up to cut down on distracted driving with your phone. This will help you keep a

clean driving record

, which in turn unlocks the lowest insurance rates and could even help earn you a

safe driver discount

Now all you need to do is make sure you’ve found the lowest offer for your

Lexus car insurance

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Want to spring for the most expensive aftermarket Apple CarPlay system you can find? Jerry’s annual recorded savings of over $800 may be just what you need!

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