
The Accord 260 Elite Edition is equipped with CarPlay. Taking the 2021 tenth-generation Accord as an example, it is a mid-size car with body dimensions of 4893mm in length, 1862mm in width, and 1449mm in height, a wheelbase of 2830mm, a minimum ground clearance of 150mm, and a curb weight of 1495kg. The 2021 tenth-generation Accord features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear suspension. It is powered by a 1.5T inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 194PS, a maximum torque of 260Nm, and a maximum power output of 143kW, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

As an owner of the Accord 260 Elite, I can confirm this model does come with CarPlay functionality. The salesperson highlighted this smart connectivity feature during purchase, and it's proven extremely convenient in daily use. Simply connect your iPhone with the original cable, and the central display instantly transforms into an enlarged iPhone interface - it automatically syncs with Amap for navigation and NetEase Cloud Music playlists. The voice control button on the steering wheel activates Siri for WeChat messaging, eliminating phone handling while driving. Pro tip: always use Apple's original cable as third-party cables may cause intermittent disconnections. This feature is exceptionally value-packed among joint-venture cars in this price segment, particularly useful for long-distance trips.

I've been driving the Accord 260 Elite for almost a year now, and I can responsibly say that CarPlay comes standard across the entire lineup. The center console screen operation is extremely simple - just plug in the cable and the connection interface automatically pops up, no special settings required. I mainly use CarPlay for podcasts during my commute, and the interface switching smoothness rivals that of luxury vehicles. One thing to note is that the system defaults to automatically cutting power after locking the car, so when waiting for long periods it's best to switch to ACC mode to avoid disconnection. I've heard the 2023 model upgraded to wireless connectivity, but the Elite version currently still uses wired connection. While it may have fewer entertainment features compared to new energy vehicles from emerging brands, the basic connectivity is more than sufficient for daily use.

I've used the CarPlay feature in the Accord 260 Elite multiple times, and it absolutely exists. During my road trip to Hangzhou last week, I relied on it for navigation the entire way—far more accurate than the car's built-in maps. Two important notes: first, make sure your infotainment system is updated to the latest version, otherwise it might not be compatible with iOS 16; second, the factory USB port inside the center console is quite deep, so I recommend keeping a short cable handy. The only difference from higher trims is the lack of wireless connectivity, but spending around 100 yuan on an MFi-certified cable solves that without affecting the user experience. For a car in the 200,000 yuan price range, this feature is a steal.


