The Best CarPlay For Older Cars: Based on Customer Reviews

The Best CarPlay For Older Cars: Based on Customer Reviews

We’ve all experienced that moment of tech envy. You get into a friend’s newer car and watch as they effortlessly navigate their digital dashboard—streaming music, taking calls, and getting directions without ever touching their phone. Meanwhile, your trusted older car’s stereo system feels out of place in today’s connected world.

The solution isn’t trading in your beloved car for a new one—it’s adding Apple CarPlay capability through one of our specially designed screens. After years of refining our technology, we’ve ensured seamless integration with vehicles of all makes and models.

From extensive customer feedback, two of our CarPlay screens have consistently outperformed all others in terms of reliability, ease of installation, and user satisfaction. We’ve carefully engineered these options to meet different driver needs while maintaining a focus on quality and affordability.

In this review, we’ll walk you through the unique features of these two exceptional models, their installation processes, and compatibility considerations, helping you determine which one is the perfect fit for your car and driving style.

Join us as we show you how these screens can elevate your driving experience from outdated to outstanding—all in minutes after unpacking.

Best CarPlay For Older Cars: Overview

CarTablet Pro™ (2025 Model) — Affordable, Comes with Sun Hood

Since 2016, many cars have come equipped with CarPlay, with some models offering it as early as 2014. But if your car wasn’t one of the lucky ones, don’t worry—you can still upgrade your ride in a few simple ways.

One option is to replace your car’s built-in stereo with a new one that supports CarPlay (and often Android Auto as well). While this provides a clean, all-in-one upgrade, the installation can be tricky—you’ll need to remove the old unit, handle wiring, and ensure everything is compatible with your vehicle’s system.

The easier option? Portable CarPlay screens.

In this review, I’ll focus on portable CarPlay screens because they’re:

  • More budget-friendly than replacing your entire stereo system

  • Universally compatible, working in any vehicle, no matter how old

  • Simple to install—just mount it, plug it in, and go!

1. CarTablet Pro Max™ (2025 Model) — Best Value, Built-in DashCam

CarTablet Pro Max™ (2025 Model)

Specification Details
Screen Size 10-Inch
Resolution 4K
Connect With Car Radio FM Transmitter, Bluetooth, AUX Cable
Compatibility Apple CarPlay (wired + wireless), Android Auto (wired + wireless)
Warranty 100-day free return policy, 2-year warranty
Price $150 (+$15 with reversing camera)

 

My First Impressions

The screen is sharp and crystal clear, thanks to its 4K resolution.

Watching videos or using maps feels like having a mini home theater in your car. Plus, with the screen mirroring feature, you can easily display your Apple or Android phone’s screen.

One of my favorite features is the built-in 4K dashcam. It continuously records your drive, offering peace of mind in case of unexpected incidents. The footage remains super clear, even in low-light conditions at night.

The system connects effortlessly to your car’s speakers via FM transmission, AUX, or Bluetooth, ensuring solid sound quality. Additionally, with WiFi support, you can stream content on the go without any interruptions.

What’s Included with the CarPlay Screen?

The package contains:

  • 10-inch Car Tablet

  • Dashboard bracket

  • Suction cup bracket

  • AUX cable

  • Built-in FM transmitter

  • Optional reversing camera kit

  • Manual and video instructions

  • USB port adapter

Who Should Buy This CarPlay Screen?

If you're looking to add CarPlay functionality to an older car, this is the best choice. It’s portable, mountable, and affordable. If you’re on a tight budget, you may also want to consider the previous model.

2. CarTablet Pro™ (2024 Model) — More Affordable, Includes Sun Hood

Specification Details
Screen Size 7-inch
Resolution 4K
Connect With Car Radio FM Transmitter, Bluetooth, AUX Cable
Compatibility Apple CarPlay (wired + wireless), Android Auto (wired + wireless)
Warranty 100-day free return policy, 2-year warranty
Price $90 (+$15 with reversing camera)

 

My First Impressions of the CarTablet Pro™ (2024 Model)

The first thing that impressed me was the 7-inch 4K screen, which is protected by a sun hood for enhanced visibility.

The display is crisp and clear, making it easy to view navigation maps, music playlists, and messages at a glance. Even under bright sunlight, the screen remains fully visible.

One of the standout features is the seamless phone connection. It supports both wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing easy access to apps, calls, and messages without hassle.

Another great feature is the included TF card, which adds extra storage for music or offline maps.

The device also supports multiple languages like English, Spanish, French, and Chinese, making it a great choice for multilingual users.

The built-in Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a fast and stable connection, and I had no trouble pairing it with my phone. WiFi support for both 2.4G and 5G guarantees smooth, uninterrupted streaming for music and navigation updates.

What’s Included with the CarPlay Screen?

The package includes:

  • 7-inch CarTablet

  • Dashboard bracket

  • Suction cup bracket

  • AUX cable

  • Built-in FM transmitter

  • Optional reversing camera kit

  • Manual and video guide

  • USB port adapter for charging two devices while on the road

Who Should Buy the CarPlay Screen?

If you're looking for an easy-to-install, feature-packed upgrade for your older car, the CarTablet Pro™ is a fantastic choice.

It’s affordable, highly functional, and works flawlessly with all essential driving apps. If you're on a budget, I highly recommend this option.

How Much Does it Cost to Add Apple CarPlay to Older Cars?

These devices, priced between $150 and $200, are an affordable way to start enjoying the Apple CarPlay experience in your car.

With these screens, you won’t need to hire anyone for installation or make any modifications to your existing stereo system.

In fact, it’s much more cost-effective than replacing your car’s single DIN stereo head unit, which can range from $300 to over $1,000.

Final Thoughts: Is Apple CarPlay Worth the Investment?

Apple CarPlay allows you to connect your iPhone to your car’s screen, giving you access to maps, making calls, sending texts, and controlling your favorite apps—all without touching your phone.

This makes driving safer and more convenient, as you can mirror your iPhone’s interface directly on your dashboard.

The best part? These CarPlay screens are compatible with any vehicle that has a cigarette lighter port, 12V port, car charger port, or USB port. Whether your car is brand new or a few years old, it will work seamlessly with this upgrade.

Back to blog