Got a 2022 Explorer Platinum from 6 months ago, and it’s a big step up from the 2013 Limited. Love the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the big screen looks weird—like an iPad stuck on the dash. Ford’s use of that screen is a letdown. Waze only uses the top third of the screen, and half of it shows the song playing. The backup cam isn’t as clear as the old one. Heard Sync 4 is better but no upgrade path, and it’s been delayed.
Here’s the twist???
rented a 2022 Ford Edge last week—think it was a Titanium. It had a big screen built into the dash, and it looked way better. Used a USB-C cable with Sync 3, and Waze filled about 3/4 of the screen. Next time I drove it, Android Auto started without the cable, and the Sync info said Sync 4.
What’s going on? Does Sync 4 actually exist for 2022 Fords?
Can I upgrade my Explorer to get Sync 4?
Sync 4 was available in Fords as early as 2021, and maybe even earlier in Lincolns. But for Explorers, it won’t be available until 2025. No upgrade for 2022 models.
I do think sync 4 started in 21 and was on models like the Edge, F150, Mach E, Bronco, and Expedition. As far as I know, you can’t upgrade Sync 3 to Sync 4.
No, you can’t upgrade to Sync 4 because it needs different hardware and,
The new 2025 Explorers even use a new Android system instead of Sync.
I’ve heard of an upgrade option involving a new screen for Sync 4, but I’ve never seen it in action or know if it actually works. It might not be compatible with your original hardware. So, as far as I know, Sync 3 won’t work with the old hardware.
It was quite the disappointment that the all new 2020 Explorer only came with Sync 3. It should have been rolled out with Sync 4 like all the others. That said, Sync 4 is not that much better than Sync 3. The new Google infotainment should be much much better. It certainly isn’t worth upgrading to Sync 4 which would require a new APIM and new screen at the very least.
