Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
Siri typically serves as my voice assistant when I'm driving and my iPhone is connected via Apple CarPlay. And that's fine for interactive tasks such as playing music, getting driving directions, setting a reminder, and calling or texting someone. But Siri often stumbles with more complex or challenging questions, the type that you'd usually ask an AI.
With Apple's new CarPlay support for third-party voice assistants, you're able to talk directly and hands-free with popular AI apps. So far, you can chat by voice in the car with ChatGPT and Perplexity AI just as you would at home or elsewhere. That means you can ask them questions, make requests, and engage in back-and-forth conversations.
Also: Google Maps vs. Waze: I compared the two best navigation apps, and this one's better
There is one barrier here. The ChatGPT voice assistant works with CarPlay, no matter your account type — free, Go, Plus, or Pro. Perplexity, though, is another story. For this, you need the Pro version, which normally costs $20 a month. But there are a few tricks for scoring a free year of Perplexity Pro, as described in this article by my fellow ZDNET writer Artie Beaty.
(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
Before we get started, here are some preliminaries.
What you need to get started
First, you naturally need an iPhone and a vehicle that supports CarPlay. My 2025 Toyota Camry came with CarPlay, so I'm good to go. Otherwise, the bottom of Apple's CarPlay page reveals the cars and iPhone models that support CarPlay.
Second, you must have the latest versions of the ChatGPT app and the Perplexity app on your iPhone. If you already use the apps, tap your profile icon in the App Store app, choose App Updates, swipe down on the screen to refresh it, then download the latest versions of both if necessary.
Also: I let Chrome's AI agent shop, research, and email for me – here's how it went
Third, your iPhone must be running iOS 26.4 or later. This version added CarPlay support for third-party AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google Gemini, and Claude. The companies behind each AI need to take advantage of this new support, with OpenAI and Perplexity leading the way.
Assuming you meet all the criteria, start up your car and make sure your iPhone is connected, either wirelessly or through Bluetooth. My Camry comes with wireless charging and synchronization, so I don't have to plug it into a USB port as I did with my previous vehicle.
After your phone is connected, you should see icons for ChatGPT and Perplexity on the CarPlay dashboard screen. If not, go to Settings on your iPhone, select General, and tap CarPlay. Select your car and then tap Apps. You'll see a list of all the apps compatible with CarPlay. Among those should be ChatGPT and Perplexity.
From there, you can move the two apps higher or lower in the list by dragging them by the three-lined hamburger icon. I moved both apps higher in the list so they'd be accessible from my main screen.
To use ChatGPT, tap the icon on the CarPlay screen, then choose “New voice chat.” Wait for the connection to kick in, as the text on the display changes from Connecting to Listening. You can then kick off your conversation, and ChatGPT will respond as it normally would.
Also: Want Perplexity Pro for free? 4 ways to get a year of access for $0 (a $200 value)
For Perplexity AI, tap the icon on the screen, then tap Connect. When the screen invites you to “ask anything,” you can then start chatting.
With everything set up on my end, I recently tried both ChatGPT and Perplexity to see how each performed. I gave each one similar questions and requests to see if I could declare a winner. Here are the tasks I threw at them and how they handled each one.
Usually I ask Siri for driving directions, but I wanted to see if either ChatGPT or Perplexity could also provide them. ChatGPT can't serve up directions as it's unable to see my location. Perplexity, though, can tackle this task. In this case, I asked it for driving directions to Faneuil Hall in Boston. After requesting access to my location, Perplexity took me to Apple Maps with a map and the necessary turn-by-turn steps.
Winner: Perplexity
Next, I asked each one to recommend a local Mexican restaurant. Again, ChatGPT couldn't help with this because it can't view my location. Perplexity named several nearby restaurants and asked me which one I preferred. After I picked the one I wanted, the AI displayed the directions via Apple Maps.
Winner: Perplexity
Also: I tried ChatGPT's new CarPlay integration: It's my go-to now for the questions Siri can't answer
Requesting music is another job I reserve for Siri. And that's still the best option. ChatGPT can't play music from any service as it doesn't have access to my iPhone. Perplexity is supposed to be able play tunes from Apple Music and Spotify. Outside of the car and CarPlay, I used the Perplexity app to play specific songs from Spotify, which worked well. However, the AI failed when I asked it to play a song from Spotify in the car via CarPlay. The song appeared in the Spotify app on my iPhone, but I had to manually start it, defeating the whole purpose of a hands-free approach.
Winner: Neither
With both ChatGPT and Perplexity, I tried placing a phone call, sending a text message, and sending an email. Neither could accomplish those tasks due to restrictions in accessing the personal info on my phone. So I'll stick with Siri for these requests.
Winner: Neither
Here, the results were different. As I expected, ChatGPT couldn't access my calendar to view or make appointments. However, Perplexity was able to read off my appointments and add new ones.
Winner: Perplexity
The results here were the same. ChatGPT couldn't add a reminder to my iPhone, but Perplexity was able to set up one.
Winner: Perplexity
Here, I asked both AIs to tell me how the American Civil War started. Both offered valid and succinct explanations that answered my question.
Winner: Tie
Also: The best satellite phones: Expert tested and reviewed
I asked both services to recommend some great science-fiction novels from the 1960s. Both gave me around four titles to start. Perplexity even suggested a few additional books. But ChatGPT added more flair and personality to its response by describing the books in colorful language. Perplexity simply listed the titles and authors without any further details.
Winner: ChatGPT
I asked both AIs to tell me a story about my cat Mr. Giggles landing on the moon. ChatGPT spun a fun and creative yarn about Mr. Giggles' trip from Earth to the moon. Perplexity was more literal, first telling me that a cat couldn't really travel to the moon. The story it recited also lacked the imagination and flair that ChatGPT provided.
Winner: ChatGPT
Also: I built an iOS app in just two days with just my voice – and it was electrifying
In the mood to play an interactive game, I asked ChatGPT and Perplexity to challenge me with a trivia quiz. Both served up several great questions about general and specific topics.
Winner: Tie
With a trip planned for Italy next year, I asked the two AIs to help me learn Italian. Both asked me what types of phrases I'd like to learn. After telling them I wanted to practice general phrases, they each started off with common words and terms, pronouncing them in Italian and explaining what they meant in English. Both corrected me if I mispronounced a word but congratulated me when I got them right.
Winner: Tie
Finally, I told both services that I was getting bored and tired with driving and that I wanted to chat with them to pass the time. They asked me what I wanted to discuss, and I suggested something offbeat. ChatGPT encouraged a true back-and-forth conversation to keep me engaged and interested. Perplexity mostly recited information and didn't engage me as much.
Winner: ChatGPT
OK, so who was the ultimate winner? That depends in part on how you'd use the AI. Perplexity scored major points because it was able to provide driving directions and access my calendar and reminders. But I can always use Siri for those types of tasks.
Also: My favorite MagSafe car charger easily handles bumpy roads (and it's on sale)
The true value of a third-party AI using CarPlay is tackling things you can't do with Siri — answering questions, telling stories, and engaging in conversation. And here, ChatGPT edged out the competition.
Of course, you don't have to choose one over the other. You can try them both. But the next time I'm driving alone and need someone (or something) to pass the time, I'll be more likely to turn to ChatGPT for an interesting chat.
