Supported Vehicles and Gen 6 Mazda Connect Compatibility
Compatibility is decided by the CMU, not the badge on the trunk. The hardware is a factory Gen 6 Mazda Connect unit (NXP i.MX6D, Linux 3.0.35, Opera Presto UI), and the target software is v74.00.324A exactly. Because Mazda rolled Gen 6 in and out at different times per model, the supported/unsupported line runs through most model years rather than between them. A 2018 CX-5 is Gen 6; a 2021 CX-5 is the newer platform and is not.
The model-year ranges below come from Mazda North America service material published through NHTSA:
- Mazda SA-008-24a / NHTSA MC-11006998: Gen 6 Mazda Connect applicable models and v74.00.324A-or-later service guidance
- Mazda SA-006/24 / NHTSA MC-10251373: later models that moved to a different CMU software family
A vehicle is only confirmed Gen 6 when its Settings → System → About screen actually shows the v74.00.324A baseline. The model-year tables are where to start looking, not proof on their own.
This matters most on a used car. A CMU that was replaced under warranty can carry a firmware version or region code that doesn’t match the model year on the table, and a unit reflashed by a dealer can sit on a non-baseline version. Read the About screen on the actual car before you trust the year.
Gen 6 Mazda Connect vehicles
Section titled “Gen 6 Mazda Connect vehicles”These North American models shipped with the Gen 6 CMU across the years listed. Late-build and replacement units sometimes carry a different firmware version (see the About-screen guidance below), so verify the About screen.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Model years | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda3 | BM/BN | 2014–2018 | 7-inch touchscreen |
| Mazda6 | GJ/GL | 2016–2021 | 7-inch touch (2016–2017), 8-inch touch (2018–2021) |
| CX-3 | DK | 2016–2021 | 7-inch touchscreen |
| CX-5 | KE/KF | 2016–2020 | 7-inch touch; 8-inch touch on 2020 Grand Touring Reserve/Signature |
| CX-9 | TC | 2016–2020 | 7-inch touch (Sport); 8-inch touch on Touring and up |
| MX-5 Miata | ND1/ND2 | 2016–2023 | 7-inch touchscreen |
The MX-5 is the only one of these that splits inside its run for CarPlay: ND1 (2016–2018) shipped without factory CarPlay, while many ND2 cars (2019–2023) came with the OEM CarPlay hub pre-installed. The CMU board and firmware are identical across both; see CarPlay options for what each car needs.
Not Gen 6
Section titled “Not Gen 6”These use a different infotainment platform or a different CMU software family. The Gen 6 firmware, tweaks, and recovery procedures do not apply.
| Vehicle | Why it differs |
|---|---|
| 2024+ MX-5 (ND3) | New infotainment system, not the Gen 6 CMU. See ND3: what changed. |
| 2021+ CX-5 (NA) | Newer Mazda Connect software family. See 2021+ CX-5 infotainment. |
| 2021+ CX-9 (NA) | Newer Mazda Connect software family |
| 2019+ Mazda3 (BP) | Gen 7 Mazda Connect. See 2019+ Mazda3 infotainment. |
| CX-30 (all years) | Gen 7 Mazda Connect from launch |
| CX-50 (all years) | Gen 7 Mazda Connect from launch |
| MX-30 | Newer Mazda Connect software family |
| CX-60 / CX-70 / CX-80 / CX-90 | Gen 7 or Android Automotive |
| Pre-2014 Mazda | Older infotainment, not MZD Connect |
For the full breakdown of how the generations differ, see Gen 6 vs Gen 7 and Mazda Connect generations.
The 7-inch and 8-inch screens run the same CMU
Section titled “The 7-inch and 8-inch screens run the same CMU”Some higher-trim cars (2016+ CX-9 Touring and up, 2018+ Mazda6, and the 2020 CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve and Signature) came with an 8-inch touchscreen instead of the 7-inch. Same CMU board, same firmware; only the display panel differs, and both are touch.
Quick identification: every Gen 6 screen responds to touch, at least while parked. A widescreen that only responds to the commander knob is Gen 7 hardware (the 8.8-inch unit in the 2019+ Mazda3 and CX-30). A 10.25-inch or larger screen is also Gen 7+ and not covered here.
The About-screen version matters as much as the model year
Section titled “The About-screen version matters as much as the model year”Gen 6 vehicles have shipped and been re-flashed across several firmware families, so the version on the About screen decides compatibility.
| Firmware | CarPlay / Android Auto | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| v55–v58 | Not supported | Legacy era. Update the CMU first; see Getting to v74. |
| v59.00.502+ | Not supported | Update the CMU first |
| v70.00.100+ | Supported (requires OEM retrofit hub) | CarPlay-capable firmware; hub hardware still required |
| v74.00.324A | Supported | The validated baseline. |
| v74.00.331 | Supported (wireless reports vary) | Appears on some replacement and late-build CMUs. Not the validated baseline; some owners report wireless-CarPlay issues. |
If your firmware is older than v74.00.324A, start with Getting to v74.00.324A. For the full catalog and what changed between releases, see firmware versions.
Region decides which packages and features your unit accepts
Section titled “Region decides which packages and features your unit accepts”The About screen shows a region suffix after the version number. Region decides which firmware packages are compatible and which features are enabled, so installing a package from the wrong region can disable radio, navigation, or CarPlay.
| Code | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NA N | North America | Most common in US/Canada cars |
| EU N | Europe | Different radio bands, DAB enabled |
| 4A N | Asia-Pacific / Oceania | Filename code ADR; Australia and New Zealand are the primary markets. Also seen on some late-build and replacement CMUs |
| JP M | Japan | Filename code JP; wide FM band, market-specific navigation |
Always confirm your current region code matches any update package before flashing. See firmware region codes.
CarPlay needs v70+ firmware and the OEM hub, together
Section titled “CarPlay needs v70+ firmware and the OEM hub, together”CarPlay on Gen 6 needs both compatible firmware (v70+) and the OEM USB hub installed. Firmware alone is not enough.
| Your setup | CarPlay? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| v70+ firmware, OEM hub installed | Yes, wired | Hub part number TK78-66-9U0C or equivalent |
| v70+ firmware, no hub | No | Hub hardware required |
| Below v70 | No | Update to v70+ before installing a hub |
| Wireless dongle (Carlinkit, Ottocast, dual-mode) | Works, adds latency | Plugs into the wired CarPlay USB port; avoid Android Auto-only adapters like the Motorola MA1 |
More detail in CarPlay options and the CarPlay retrofit guide.
Cars that need a manual look
Section titled “Cars that need a manual look”Some configurations can run the Gen 6 firmware but are not a clean self-check off the model-year table:
| Vehicle / configuration | Why |
|---|---|
| Fiat 124 Spider (2017–2020) | Shares the ND MX-5 CMU hardware but uses Fiat-specific calibrations and isn’t in Mazda NA service material. See Fiat 124 Spider. |
| Non-North-American Gen 6 cars | Model-year ranges vary by market; confirm via the About screen and region code |
| Regional models (Mazda2, CX-4, CX-8) | Not in the North American source list; depends on the actual CMU firmware and hardware |
| Any car with wireless-CarPlay hardware, prior AIO/root history, or wrong-region firmware | Higher recovery risk; see known risky configurations |
How to confirm your hardware
Section titled “How to confirm your hardware”If you are not sure which system your car has, check four things:
- About screen. Settings → System → About shows a firmware version (commonly v55, v56, v59, v70, or v74), a region code, and a failsafe version. Record all three.
- Commander knob. Gen 6 cars have the rotary controller on the center console.
- Screen size. 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, matching the tables above. A non-touch widescreen or a 10.25-inch display is Gen 7.
- Home screen layout. Square application tiles in a grid.
If all four match, you have Gen 6 hardware. For step-by-step screenshots of the version screen, see check firmware version.
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps”- Shopping for a used car and want to verify before you buy? See before you buy.
- Need to bring an older Gen 6 CMU up to the baseline? See Getting to v74.00.324A.
- Want the model-specific overview? See ND Miata, CX-5, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, or CX-9.
ScreenTune products target the v74.00.324A baseline; if your car is on that version, see ScreenTune.