Sony Unveils New Version of Its Top-Rated Aftermarket CarPlay System

Sony today introduced its new XAV-AX210 receiver, which doubles as an aftermarket CarPlay and Android Auto system.

xav ax210
The XAV-AX210 is an update to Sony's year-old XAV-AX200 receiver, with the headline new feature being support for iDatalink Maestro, a car audio system that seamlessly interfaces with steering wheel controls, amplifier functions, on-screen vehicle settings, and more when used outside of CarPlay mode.

The receiver has a 6.4-inch touchscreen, but Sony hasn't specified if it's resistive or capacitive. Other key features include hands-free phone calls and music playback via Bluetooth, SiriusXM compatibility, rear view camera readiness, a built-in four-channel amplifier, and a built-in CD/DVD player.

This product is ideal for vehicles that don't come with factory installed CarPlay, mirroring several apps onto the dashboard, including Phone, Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Spotify, and starting with iOS 12, Google Maps and Waze. As a wired system, an iPhone must be connected via Lightning cable.

Sony said XAV-AX210 pricing and availability in North America will be announced in the fall of 2018. It will likely have a similar price as the XAV-AX200, available on Amazon for between $399 and $499 depending on configuration.

Of note, the XAV-AX100 and XAV-AX200 have received favorable reviews from publications such as The Wirecutter.

Other brands with aftermarket CarPlay and Android Auto receivers include Alpine, Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood, and Clarion.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Sony

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive These Five Perks

Wednesday July 9, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, did you know that Apple offers you five perks beyond the extra storage space, at no additional cost? Here are the perks included with all iCloud+ plans:Private Relay keeps your Safari browsing history entirely private from network providers, websites, and even Apple. Hide My Email generates unique, random email addresses whenever needed. Hom...

Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
90 months ago
What is the point of touting wireless connectivity if it has to be plugged in for CarPlay anyway? I'm tired of all these overpriced wired systems, many of which are resistive touch. I can get an iPad for $300 or a Nintendo Switch for $250 but not a little display that plugs into my car and interfaces with my phone? It's also annoying that all the high end models have crap we don't need like DVD players. This market is prime for someone to come in and shake it up.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
diddl14 Avatar
90 months ago
Still don‘t get why these things come with DVD/CD...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
90 months ago
Are things really "top-rated" if they are just being unveiled and haven't properly been "rated"?
And who rated it?
The previous version of this was “top rated”. Sony has unveiled a new version.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spock Avatar
90 months ago
I honestly wish Apple would just enable CarPlay on the phone. Maybe a NFC dock that tells the iPhone it’s in the dock and connected to Bluetooth and automatically enables CarPlay.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
philfry Avatar
90 months ago
I have the XAV-AX100 and i'm very happy with it. It is resistive but I don't even notice. For the price it was really nice and BestBuy installed it for free. I've heard that wireless carplay consumes battery fast but I haven't used it myself. Plus the wireless carplay systems were more than double of the $300 that I paid. I really don't mind plugging in my phone especially if i'm going to be in the car for awhile.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
[AUT] Thomas Avatar
90 months ago
Would instantly buy (even for 800+ bucks) if it would fullfill all of the below requiremets:

* no optical drive
* thus not deeper than absolutely necessary, I got limited space on my lower slot
* some physical buttons for basic controls
* a very bright, high contrast screen, where black is actually black and not grey. We don't need to save energy here, just fire it up!

* capacitive touch
* wired+wireless carplay

* cinch outputs on the back for the sub

* SD-card on the front
* 1280x800 pixels please at least... because we are in 2018... 800x480 is a joke even for automotive use...
* built-in GPS quad receiver (NAVSTAR, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU), also because we are in 2018
* also, the ability to mix rather than switch inputs would be highly appreciated, but for some reason OEMs lack the innovation for that...
* Bluetooth 4.0 at very least
* good quality handsfree
* top audio quality for music

* firmware upgrade support & bug fixes for the next 2 years unless we are talking matured software...
* Proper cooling would be nice too... why the miniature fans in double DIN units?
* (!) Screen not polarized in a way that makes it unreadable with sunglasses...

...maybe some more items...
Anything less than that doesn't justify 800+... the Sonys are well priced, but Pioneers are way too expensive...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)