Sony's Latest CarPlay Receiver Features a Large 8.9-Inch Touchscreen That Hovers Over the Dashboard

Friday August 9, 2019 8:40 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Sony today unveiled its latest CarPlay and Android Auto receiver with a large 8.95-inch touchscreen that hovers over the dashboard, allowing it to fit into a smaller single-DIN space. Equipped with a three-way mount, the receiver's height, depth, and tilt can be adjusted during installation in most vehicles.

XAV-AX8000

Sony says the XAV-AX8000 will be available in December 2019 for a suggested retail price of $599.99 in the United States.

Aftermarket receivers like this one allow for CarPlay and Android Auto to be installed in older vehicles. This particular Sony model is a wired CarPlay receiver, so an iPhone must be connected with a Lightning to USB cable. Wireless CarPlay receivers are available from brands like Alpine, Kenwood, and JVC.

CarPlay is Apple's in-car platform that enables iPhone users to access a range of apps from the dashboard, such as Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Radio, Pandora, WhatsApp, Downcast, Slacker Radio, Stitcher, and as of iOS 12, third-party navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Sony
35 comments


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konqerror
2 weeks ago

I don’t get the point of these CarPlay units. Literally just buy an iPad with Cellular capabilities and call it a day. There are plenty of iPad compatible mounts for cars.

That’s literally what Tesla cars have. No need to spend that much money for this.


1. The UI is built specifically for cars and it blocks apps like video. This is necessary in some states by law.
2. It automatically plays on your car speakers/microphone
3. It integrates to steering wheel controls and dashboard displays (on some models)
4. You don't have to manually synchronize state (i.e. what music you're listening to) between the two when getting in and out
5. The displays are much brighter for sunlight visibility instead of high resolution
6. The low end models cost less than an iPad mini ($220)
7. Some models integrate with backup cameras (Backup aids are required by law in new US cars)
8. You save $10-15 a month over a separate iPad cellular connection
9. You're less liable to get a built in unit stolen in a smash and grab theft.
10. You don't have to remember to unplug and switch it off when leaving for long periods.
Rating: 24 Votes
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ipedro
2 weeks ago

I don’t get the point of these CarPlay units. Literally just buy an iPad with Cellular capabilities and call it a day. There are plenty of iPad compatible mounts for cars.

That’s literally what Tesla cars have. No need to spend that much money for this.


iPad’s UI isn’t designed to be used while driving. If there were a CarPlay mode for iPhones and iPads, that’d be great.

Also, would you leave an iPad in your car? Having to remove it every time you park and hide it or carry it around would be inconvenient.
Rating: 15 Votes
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Kaibelf
2 weeks ago

I don’t get the point of these CarPlay units. Literally just buy an iPad with Cellular capabilities and call it a day. There are plenty of iPad compatible mounts for cars.

That’s literally what Tesla cars have. No need to spend that much money for this.


Does the iPad also control your car's climate and audio systems and show your rear camera as you back up? If not, your post makes NO sense.
Rating: 3 Votes
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ipedro
2 weeks ago
I dont drive enough to own a car but these CarPlay units make me have tech lust for something I absolutely don’t need. This Sony unit is beautiful.
Rating: 3 Votes
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konqerror
2 weeks ago

Again, Siri is always available for that.


Siri is purely voice. CarPlay gives a touch/switch/cursor interface. One critical part is foreign-derived people and place names that Siri never gets.

You also get information in a glance. You see how many minutes to destination, in a fraction of a second instead of repeatedly asking.

CarPlay works well. Go try one in a rental. Voice UIs consistently suck at providing long-form information. You tune out.
Rating: 2 Votes
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entropys
2 weeks ago

Want. Actually I'd prefer wireless CarPlay but not willing to pay the cost, $599 is do-able for this screen.

Go and look at the Kenwood and pioneer options that are actually available now! You can get them for that or less if you wait for sales.
I just got a double din Kenwood mechless 7 inch capacitive screen with wireless carplay, with free reverse camera for AUD$679 incl GST on eBay. That is currently USD$419 without tax.

Edit: I am installing it myself today. Pray for me.
[doublepost=1565475432][/doublepost]I have noticed on eBay you can buy special black box that sit behind the dash that can give even modern vehicles without a din or double din stereo wireless carplay. Not sure how dodgy they are.
Here is an example for lexus.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Carplay-Android-auto-GPS-NAVI-Cam-for-LEXUS-models-from-2014-2017/264424561473?hash=item3d90ee9b41:g:bJcAAOSwfmddTEjx
Rating: 1 Votes
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McScooby
2 weeks ago
Like the rest of Sony's it looks like it isn't capacitive touch & no wi-fi, not worth your hard earned cash!:rolleyes:
Rating: 1 Votes
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vipergts2207
2 weeks ago

I don’t get the point of these CarPlay units. Literally just buy an iPad with Cellular capabilities and call it a day. There are plenty of iPad compatible mounts for cars.

That’s literally what Tesla cars have. No need to spend that much money for this.


That's not a very well thought out suggestion. iPads are not setup for use in a car. Just opening an app would be potentially dangerous to you and others on the road, trying to tap on a miniscule icon on the dash. And good luck reading something that far away. The cost argument is silly as well, as you can get good CarPlay headunits for 350 or less, and they'll actually function far better in a car than an iPad will. There's a reason Apple introduced CarPlay, rather than telling everyone to just install an iPad in their car. The latter would've even made Apple money, but they chose not to because it's a bad solution. Someone can hack together an iPad-based setup if they want, but I'll take CarPlay over that any day.
Rating: 1 Votes
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12vElectronics
2 weeks ago

Cool I guess, but literally no cars from the last 10 years use a DIN slot anymore.


True, but there are 'dash kits' made by Metra/Scosche/PAC etc that allow the install of an aftermarket single din or double din stereo in cars up to 2019!

These are great and all but most new cars that have been manufactured in the past few years now have non-replaceable stereos or infotainment systems that would render a replacement unable to communicate with the other screens/functions of the car.


Yes & no. Are there cars where radio replacement is not an option? Yes. But there are still a ton of new cars where radio replacement is still doable. Heck, we had a 2019 Nissan in the shop the other day for a radio replacement.

I think these are largely aimed at consumers in cars without infotainment systems. You can also get iData Maestro compatible head units and maintain some degree of integration. Exactly how much I'm not sure though.


You're exactly right. There are a TON of older cars out on the road that don't have this tech. In fact, even lots 'newer' cars still don't come with CarPlay/Android Auto.

Between the car models that don't even allow to swap the infotainment unit and the lack of very savvy and dedicate drivers to pursue those cases where there are DIN slots to use I do wonder how this stuff still gets designed and shipped.


Although the golden days of radio replacements are behind us, there are still people buying din and double din radios daily! We literally have two cars in the shop right now getting single din radios installed as of this post (8/10/2019).
Rating: 1 Votes
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