Consumer feature: Sony in-car infotainment

No matter the wheels you drive, one sure-fire way of enhancing your motoring experience is with an upgraded infotainment system. Sony has just the solution

Perhaps, like me, you drive an oldermodel car with a sound system from Antiques Roadshow. Or maybe your vehicle is much newer, yet you’re still looking to upgrade the existing infotainment system. The notion of having someone dig in your dashboard and change what you’re used to can be daunting. You’ll no doubt have questions: should you shop online for a new unit or in a store? Should a fitment agent do the installation or can you tackle it yourself? We teamed up with Sony to provide a few simple answers.

INTEGRATED SOLUTION

In my case, upgrading the factory-fitted radio/cd player in my ’05 Nissan Hardbody was a no-brainer. It barely picked up radio frequencies anymore – let alone connected to my iphone – there wasn’t a USB port in sight or even an AUX socket, and Bluetooth hadn’t been invented when this model hit the streets.

I wanted a head unit – jargon for the main component of a sound system that you interact with in the centre of your dash – that handled everything via a touchscreen. In my case, Apple Carplay was a necessity as an IOS user; this tech turns your infotainment system’s screen into an extension of your existing smartphone.

Sony makes several innovative products perfectly suited to this type of aftermarket upgrade. Two standouts, the XAV-AX8050D with an 8,95-inch display and the XAVAX5550D with a 6,95-inch display – which, incidentally, we gave away as part of our Top 12 Best Buys reader’s choice competition – both ticked all my boxes. If touchscreen is your preference, Sony has a variety of options to suit your needs. Check out sony.com/za/ electronics/in-car-receivers-players-products/t/incar-receivers-players for more info.

FITMENT

I opted for the larger 8,95-inch screen model but there’s a caveat here; wise words from master installer Shafick Modack at Car Hi-fi Centre (carhi-fi.co.za) in Cape Town, “A lot of people buy online without consulting a salesperson at a brick-and-mortar store to see if it’s compatible. Buying something without guidance isn’t the best way to proceed.” Sure, buying online is quick and easy but before spending your hard-earned cash, speak to an experienced installer about the system you intend to purchase and describe the make and model of your car. There’s a chance the device you have your heart set on just won’t work with the electrical architecture of your vehicle. Also, decide on the finish you want inside your car; do you want an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) look, or something a bit different? This will influence the style of head unit you choose but your installer will be able to advise you. An integrated installation – where it melds seamlessly with the dash for an OEM look – is much trickier. This will take more time and likely cost more, too.

If you’re a skilled person with in-depth knowledge about vehicle wiring, or you know someone who does, then sure, tackle the project yourself. If you have any doubts, though, find an experienced fitment agent with good references. Shafick has been in this

business for 26 years and has worked on all makes of car and sound systems. This is someone you want tinkering on the fragile parts of your dashboard.

Fitment can take anything from three to six hours, depending on the complexity of the project. On my Hardbody, it took just over three hours. Expect to pay from about R900, excluding the hardware, of course, for a unit similar to the one I had fitted.

As a final thought, consider your vehicle’s security once your new infotainment system has been installed. It’s probably going to be a lot more valuable than your previous unit, so an upgraded alarm and an improved insurance policy might be needed.