In this guide
The short answer: almost any car with a standard stereo aperture can have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a few hundred pounds fitted — usually less than a single month's payment on a newer car bought for its infotainment. A double DIN touchscreen from Pioneer, Kenwood, Sony or Alpine, plus the right fitting kit, and your existing car gets the modern dashboard. Here's how to choose.
Single DIN or double DIN?
DIN describes the chassis size of the aperture in your dash. Double DIN — twice the height — is what you want if your dash accepts it, carrying the 7"–10" touchscreens that make CarPlay pleasant to use. Single DIN suits older vehicles with the slim aperture; modern single DIN units solve the screen problem with fold-out or floating displays, so a classic dash can still run full CarPlay.
The fitting kit matters as much as the stereo
Swapping a stereo needs three things beyond the head unit itself: a fascia panel that fills your dash aperture neatly, a wiring harness that connects it without cutting a single factory wire, and — on most modern cars — a steering wheel control interface so your existing buttons keep working. Some vehicles also need an aerial adapter.
These are vehicle-specific, which is why "will it fit my car" is the right first question rather than the last. Browse our Connects 2 installation kits, or contact us with your make, model and year and we'll confirm the exact kit — it's what we do all day.
Wired or wireless CarPlay?
Wireless is the one to have: get in, drive, your phone connects — no cable ritual. Wired units cost less and charge your phone while connected, which some drivers actually prefer on long journeys. Many current units offer both — each stereo's Specification tab lists which it supports, for both CarPlay and Android Auto.
What to spend
- The value end: entry double DIN CarPlay units do the core job — maps, music, calls — reliably.
- The sweet spot: mid-range Pioneer and Kenwood units add wireless connection, sharper screens and better sound processing.
- The premium end: Alpine's large-format floating screens and top-tier Pioneer and Sony units — worth it if the stereo is also the heart of a speaker upgrade.
- Classic cars: RetroSound and our Classic Car Stereo range put modern connectivity behind period-correct faces.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my steering wheel controls with a new stereo?
Not with the right interface — a steering wheel control adapter retains your existing buttons with the new stereo. Parts are sold separately, and we'll tell you exactly what your vehicle needs.
Will a new stereo work with a reversing camera?
Aftermarket units with camera inputs display both existing and new reversing cameras. Adding a camera at the same time as the stereo is the efficient moment to do it.
Can CEN supply and fit a CarPlay stereo?
Yes — supply and professional installation from our Nottingham premises, including fascia, wiring, steering controls and cameras.
Does a new stereo improve sound quality?
Noticeably — aftermarket units have stronger pre-outs and processing than most factory stereos, and they're the foundation any future speaker or amplifier upgrade builds on.
Written by the CEN team in Nottingham — we've been fitting car stereos since long before they had apps.
