In this guide
A Pioneer Perfect Fit stereo puts a big 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into your dashboard, and with the right fitting kit it looks like it came from the factory. This guide explains how Perfect Fit works, what comes in a Connects 2 fitting kit, and exactly which makes and models we have kits and ready-made bundles for.
What is a Perfect Fit stereo?
Traditional aftermarket stereos are built to two standard sizes: single DIN and double DIN. Many modern dashboards don't have a square DIN-shaped hole, so a double DIN screen often ends up surrounded by a filler panel and looks like an afterthought.
Pioneer's Perfect Fit range takes a different approach. The Pioneer SPH-PF97BT has a slim chassis behind a large 9-inch screen. A fascia made for your specific vehicle fills the whole dash opening and frames the screen, so the finished job looks like part of the car.
The Pioneer SPH-PF97BT at a glance
- Screen: 9-inch capacitive touchscreen with pinch, swipe and scroll
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: wireless or by USB cable
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: built in, for hands-free calls and streaming
- Sound: 13-band graphic EQ, FLAC playback, high and low pass filters, subwoofer control
- Expansion: three RCA pre-outs (front, rear and subwoofer) and two camera inputs
- Radio: RDS FM. There is no built-in DAB, but digital radio streams through CarPlay or Android Auto
- In the box: external Bluetooth microphone, GPS antenna and USB extension cable
What's in a Connects 2 CTK9 fitting kit?
Connects 2 CTK9 kits are complete 9-inch installation kits. Each one is made for specific vehicles and brings together everything needed to swap the factory radio for a 9-inch stereo:
- A 9-inch fascia panel shaped to the vehicle's dashboard
- A steering wheel control interface, so your wheel buttons keep working
- A vehicle wiring harness that plugs into the factory connector, with no cutting
- Aerial adapters and a head unit patch lead, depending on the vehicle
Four kits, for the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Hilux and VW Golf Mk7, use a 10.1-inch fascia. For a 9-inch stereo, Connects 2 lists the CT34UV01 10.1 to 9 inch reducer panel as required. We include it in our bundles for those cars, so nothing is missing.
Which cars can take a Perfect Fit stereo?
Here is every vehicle we currently have a Connects 2 9-inch kit for, with the kit on its own and the ready-made bundle with the Pioneer SPH-PF97BT. Years are as listed by Connects 2.
* The Ford Fiesta 2013–2014 has two kits, CTK9FD04 and CTK9FD05, with different interface parts. Check with us which one suits your car. Kits marked + CT34UV01 need the reducer panel for a 9-inch stereo, and it is included in the bundle.
Browse everything in one place on our Perfect Fit car stereos page.
Kit or bundle?
Each bundle combines the Pioneer SPH-PF97BT with the right Connects 2 kit for your car, priced at the two parts added together, so you order once and nothing is forgotten. If you already have a 9-inch stereo, the kits are also sold on their own.
Will I lose anything from the factory radio?
The kits keep the essentials: your steering wheel controls, aerial and speakers all connect to the new stereo. Some features depend on the car. Factory amplifiers, navigation systems and on-board displays can need extra parts, so we always check your exact car before anything is ordered.
Fitting a Perfect Fit stereo
With a plug-in harness and a vehicle-specific fascia, fitting is straightforward for a confident DIYer: remove the factory radio and trim, connect the harness, steering wheel interface and aerial adapter, mount the Pioneer in the fascia and refit. Allow extra time to route the microphone and GPS antenna neatly.
If you would rather leave it to us, we fit Perfect Fit stereos at our Beeston workshop in Nottingham, with the wiring, steering controls and microphone routed properly. See car stereo installation in Nottingham.
Adding to it later
The SPH-PF97BT is a good base for a bigger system. Add a Pioneer ND-BC9 reversing camera, use the pre-outs for an amplifier and subwoofer, or upgrade the speakers and tune them with the 13-band EQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Pioneer Perfect Fit stereo?
Perfect Fit is Pioneer's range of large-screen car stereos designed to sit in a vehicle-specific fascia. The SPH-PF97BT has a 9-inch floating-style screen that fills the dash opening, so it looks factory-fitted rather than added on.
Will a Perfect Fit stereo fit my car?
It fits any car that has a matching 9-inch fitting kit. Connects 2 makes complete 9-inch kits for Fiat, Ford, Honda, Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen models. Send us your registration and we will confirm the right kit.
Do I keep my steering wheel controls?
Yes. Every Connects 2 CTK9 complete kit includes a steering wheel control interface, so volume, track and phone buttons keep working with the Pioneer.
Does the SPH-PF97BT have DAB radio?
No. It has an RDS FM tuner. Most drivers stream digital radio through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto using apps such as BBC Sounds, Global Player or Radioplayer.
What is the CT34UV01 and do I need it?
The CT34UV01 is a 10.1 to 9 inch reducer panel. Connects 2 lists it as required for 9-inch stereos with the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Hilux and VW Golf Mk7 kits. It is included in our bundles for those cars.
Is Apple CarPlay wireless on the SPH-PF97BT?
Yes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both work wirelessly or by USB cable.
Can CEN fit a Perfect Fit stereo?
Yes. We fit Perfect Fit stereos at our Beeston, Nottingham workshop, including the fascia, wiring, aerial and steering wheel controls. Installation is priced per vehicle, so get in touch for a quote.
Written by the CEN team in Nottingham. Not sure which kit fits your car? Contact us or call 0115 924 0666.
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