Sony debuts CarPlay-compatible infotainment unit with iPad-sized display

Sony XAV-AX8000 with CarPlay
Sony XAV-AX8000 with CarPlay

Sony has launched a lineup of new in-car entertainment systems, the flagship of which is the XAV-AX8000 which boasts an iPad-sized 8.95-inch display and compatibility with Apple’s CarPlay.

Malcolm Owen for AppleInsider:

The XAV-AX8000’s large 8.95-inch screen hovers out from the front of the infotainment unit, allowing the body of the device to fit into a single-DIN space in the dashboard. To allow it to work perfectly with a wide range of vehicle designs, the screen mount can be adjusted in three directions for the ideal display placement.

Able to be used with a rear-view camera and capable of waking almost immediately after the vehicle’s ignition is turned on, the XAV-AX8000 is arriving in December 2019, priced at $599.99.

MacDailyNews Take: The XAV-AX8000 looks rather scrumptious for bring CarPlay to vehicles in after-market fashion!

If you’d rather not wait until December, check out Sony’s $398 XAV-AX5000, available now with a 6.95-inch (17.6-cm) display and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

4 Comments

  1. Question. I am considering replacing the Display Audio Unit in my 2015 Honda Fit with a third party Apple CarPlay device but need to know what are the “gotchas” with such a replacement. The existing unit has a multitude of connections with the automobile functions. Among those are GPS reception even though it doesn’t have navigation, fuel economy and trip computers, steering wheel angle, braking efforts and I don’t know what else. Even the dashboard clock setting are done from this unit.
    Anyone with experience? Anyone know anything about jail breaking the Honda Display Audio Unit?

      1. May as well buy a better car that has CarPlay.
        Still rather angry that Honda web pages back in 2014 show the display audio with CarPlay icons visible.
        Misleading! Huyundai and Kia and others offer firmware up dates for their units as far back as 2013

Reader Feedback

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.