best car radio Page 211

“Best car radio” really means “best for how you drive and how much you’ll admit you spent.”

For everyday commuters, look for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, and at least 4 x 45–50 W peak power; brands like Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, and Sony are safe bets.

Got an older car? A single-DIN Bluetooth unit keeps it tidy; newer dashboards usually want a double-DIN touchscreen with wireless CarPlay if budget allows.

If you’re chasing sound quality, add a DSP/amp and decent speakers rather than blowing the lot on the head unit, and make sure it supports high‑res Bluetooth codecs.

In Australia, check for DAB+ support and proper steering‑wheel control integration, then buy from a reputable installer so it doesn’t cut out every time you indicate.