Although newer cars have come a long way in terms of factory tech, often times they come with features just to check a spec sheet. With our customer's 2014 Kia Sorento, it had a factory reverse camera which comes in handy but due to the small factory screen, it was difficult to see. Aftermarket double-din receivers typically have screens that are 6" or larger, perfect for pairing with a back up camera. The Sony XAV-AX5000 that our customer picked comes with a 7" bezelless capacitive touchscreen that's one of the best in class!
Factory UVO screen in our customer's 2014 Kia Sorento
Installing an aftermarket stereo in newer cars involves a little more work than cars from the 90's or earlier. For starters, properly integrating the steering wheel controls require special harnesses and modules. On this vehicle we used the
iDatalink Maestro SW, we find that this steering wheel integration module is one of the most user-friendly thanks to the excellent software. Another thing installers have to pay attention to is back up camera retention. Unlike universal back up cameras, factory-installed cameras don't typically use the RCA connectors that aftermarket receivers use. We were able to find the signal for the back up camera and adapt it for the XAV-AX5000. This is the preferred method as we don't need to drill any new holes and it maintains a factory appearance.
With the custom Sorento dash kit in place, the Sony XAV-AX5000 looks like it was installed from the factory. This unit has two USB inputs which we installed in a storage pocket just in front of the shift lever. This lets our customer utilize the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features that are installed on this deck. These features offer an intuitive way to manage your entertainment, navigation, and messages while driving, and can greatly reduce distraction. The secondary USB input can be used for a USB media drive or charging another device.
When the factory camera is displayed on the 7" screen, the image is much clearer and makes for safer operation while parking. The sound quality is also improved thanks to the sound processing of the Sony unit. This type of aftermarket receiver is great for further audio upgrades such as amplifiers and subwoofers as they have 3 sets of RCA preouts to provide signal to an amp.
In addition to the upgraded audio system and display, our customer also opted for the Thinkware F800 Pro 2-channel dash cam. Here you can see the rear camera on the top of the window. The 2 channel dash cam is hardwired to run in parking mode to protect against vandalism or hit and runs. It offers a different function than the back up camera as it is capable of recording, whereas the back up camera can only show you what's behind you.
