What year did Ford switch to SYNC 4?
Ford Motor Company introduced its latest in-vehicle infotainment system, SYNC 4, in 2021. SYNC 4 represents a significant upgrade over previous SYNC versions, offering enhanced connectivity, voice control, and advanced features for Ford drivers.
The Transition to SYNC 4
Ford first launched its SYNC in-car connectivity system in 2007, providing drivers with voice-activated controls and access to various multimedia features. Over the years, the SYNC system has evolved, with SYNC 3 being the previous generation introduced in 2015.
In 2021, Ford announced the rollout of SYNC 4, the latest iteration of its infotainment platform. SYNC 4 was first introduced in the 2021 Ford F-150 and has since been made available in other Ford models, including the Mustang Mach-E, Expedition, and Explorer.
Key Features of SYNC 4
SYNC 4 offers several enhancements over previous SYNC versions, including:
- Improved Voice Recognition: SYNC 4 features advanced voice recognition technology, allowing drivers to control various in-vehicle functions, such as navigation, music, and climate control, using natural language commands.
- Larger Touchscreen: SYNC 4 systems come equipped with larger, high-resolution touchscreens, ranging from 8 to 15.5 inches in size, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- Wireless Connectivity: SYNC 4 supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling seamless integration with smartphones and access to popular apps and services.
- Over-the-Air Updates: Ford's SYNC 4 system can receive over-the-air software updates, ensuring that the infotainment system stays up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.
- Enhanced Navigation: SYNC 4 offers improved navigation capabilities, including real-time traffic updates, voice-activated search, and the ability to find nearby points of interest.
The introduction of SYNC 4 in 2021 represents Ford's commitment to providing its customers with a more advanced and user-friendly in-vehicle infotainment experience.
When did Ford start using Sync 4?
The first production vehicle and further details of Sync 4 were released at the unveiling of the 2021 model year Ford Mustang Mach-E.
What is the difference between SYNC 3 and SYNC 4?
SYNC 4 is a significant upgrade over SYNC 3, primarily featuring larger, higher-resolution screens, wireless smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), more powerful processing, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. SYNC 3 requires a wired connection for phone integration, manual updates via Wi-Fi or USB, and has smaller screen options and less advanced voice control.
You can watch this video to see a side-by-side comparison of the SYNC 3 and SYNC 4 displays: 59sInfotainmentYouTube · Sep 13, 2025
Key differences between SYNC 3 and SYNC 4
| Feature | SYNC 3 | SYNC 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Smaller screen sizes (6.5- or 8-inch), lower resolution | Larger screen options (up to 15.5 inches), higher resolution |
| Smartphone Integration | Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Processor | Slower processor | Faster processor, double the computing power |
| Voice Control | Enhanced voice control, with more limited conversational abilities | More natural language processing, better understanding of conversational requests |
| Navigation | Voice-activated navigation, often requiring a wired connection for live traffic | Cloud-based navigation with real-time traffic and weather updates |
| Updates | Requires manual updates via Wi-Fi or USB | Over-the-air (OTA) software updates for automatic updates |
| Customization | Limited customization options | More customizable layouts, including split-screen views on larger screens |
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This video explains the new features in SYNC 4: 56sRed5ohYouTube · Jun 23, 2022
Which Ford models have Sync 4?
Ford Vehicles Available with SYNC® 4
- 2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E. Pre-Production model shown.
- 2021 FORD F-150. Preproduction computer-generated image shown.
- 2021 FORD BRONCO. Preproduction computer-generated image shown.
- 2022 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING. Preproduction computer-generated image shown.
What is the difference between SYNC 4 and SYNC 5?
SYNC 5 is a significant upgrade from SYNC 4, offering faster performance, more intuitive voice controls, and enhanced connectivity, including a more powerful chip and up to double the processing speed. SYNC 4, while still capable with features like over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, is the predecessor, and SYNC 5 is expected to be in 2025 Ford models.
| Feature | SYNC 4 | SYNC 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Standard processing speeds | Faster, up to twice as fast as SYNC 4 due to a more powerful chip |
| Voice Control | Improved voice recognition | Smarter and more enhanced voice control |
| Connectivity | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Enhanced connectivity and smarter connectivity features |
| User Interface | Optimized for ease of use with large screen support | More user-friendly design |
| Updates | Over-the-air (OTA) updates for software improvements | Also supports OTA updates |
| Availability | Available in many 2021-2025 Ford models | Expected in 2025 Ford models |
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