Is the Sony XAV-AX150 the best value Apple CarPlay and Android Auto radio for 2022?
Now more than ever, consumers can appreciate the great value of the Sony XAV-AX150. As we hurtle towards a dystopian new normal, consumers are waking up to the greater effects of high gas prices, limited resources compounded by the weakening dollar. Inflation has entangled its tentacles into nearly every facet of our lives. Car stereo is in no way immune to this ugly beast. In 2019, the best value Apple CarPlay and Android Auto stereo that I sold was the Alpine iLX-W650. Just 3 years ago, you got a lot for your money with the iLX-W650: 4 Volt pre-amp, glass capacitive touch screen, 9 band parametric EQ and more. That deck is a work horse and is still a staple product at our shop. Yet, in the past few years, we have seen the price of that model climb from $299.99 to $349.99 and then to $399.99. Next week it will be $449.99. Yikes!
In this day and age, deals are harder and harder to come by which is why I love the Sony XAV-AX150. When consumers are getting hammered by inflation everywhere in their lives, I love seeing a quality brand like Sony hang in there and continue to offer consumers an awesome value.
This deck is perfect for someone who has purchased an older vehicle and looking to upgrade the tech features. It’s extremely difficult to buy a new vehicle right now. So many of our clients are buying used (and paying dearly for it I might add). On top of the inflated used car price, they are spending additional cash up-fitting to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sony XAV-AX150 won’t be right for everyone, but it’s a perfect fit for anyone with a basic used vehicle simply looking to add modern features.
Why the Sony XAV-AX150 is awesome
This deck has a ton of great features for the money. It’s super easy to use and super reliable. What you see is what you get. You’re not paying extra for features you don’t want or need.
- AM/FM Radio (NO SiriusXM compatibility)
- Resistive touch screen
- Bluetooth
- Wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (rear USB)
- Reverse camera compatible
- Steering wheel control compatible
- 10 Band EQ
- Front, rear and subwoofer pre-amp (2 Volt – not the cleanest on the sub channel though)
- Built in crossovers – adjustable HPF and LPF
This unit is mechless so no CD player. Although it is meant for double DIN ISO mount installation, the rear chassis is only single DIN which leaves you some room to work with in the dash in case your installation involves a large module to retain things like Onstar/Bose or steering wheel controls.
In addition to the 6.95″ touch screen, this unit also has a small lower lip with hard buttons. Here you find functions like Volume up/down, Track up/down, Home screen and an Option button which doubles up as a shortcut to source/audio settings OR as a voice activation button (press and hold to prompt Siri or Google Voice). You cannot rearrange the icons on the home screen, but I don’t see a need to – they are laid out in a nice logical, easy to see manner.
The bottom lip buttons will always illuminate in a neutral white tone. The background color can be changed, but you cannot upload your own. I don’t think the background color will matter for most clients as they are purchasing this unit for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. These interfaces appear exactly the same regardless of what model radio you are using.
Who this deck is for
The Sony XAV-AX150 is perfect for anyone looking to upgrade an older basic vehicle with a name brand Apple CarPlay/Android Auto stereo that won’t break the bank. Examples of vehicles this would work well with include 2012 Honda Civic, 2013 Toyota Corolla, 2011 Subaru Legacy or a 2014 Chevy Express Van. Mostly older Japanese vehicles without integrated electronics or basic GM or Ford models without things like a rear seat entertainment system.
Who this deck is NOT for
I wouldn’t recommend the Sony XAV-AX150 for anyone looking to build a full aftermarket audio system with amplifiers. It does have a front, rear and subwoofer pre-amp, but it’s low voltage. Plus the signal on the sub channel is not clean. I measured it with an oscilloscope which you can see in the video. Regardless of volume level or sub level, the signal was not a uniform wave. There is definitely some distortion there, perhaps just harmonic distortion. Either way, between the low voltage pre-amp and funky sub level signal, it’s not an ideal deck to build a system with. It’s perfect for clients looking for a great value, easy to use, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto head unit for their older, used vehicle.
Additionally, I would not use this in any vehicle that would benefit from an iDatalink Maestro compatible radio. For example, I wouldn’t use it in a 2015 Silverado or 2016 Ford Edge or 2018 Ram Promaster. All of these vehicles have data flowing through the factory radio. In other words, the radio is part of the operating network in the car. In situations like that you’re best off using an ADS-MRR and iDatalink Maestro compatible radio to retain vehicle features, access to vehicle settings and in general keep information flowing through the network in the car. To check iDatalink Maestro compatibility, check out this product feature look up page where you can plug in your vehicle info and radio info to see what features would be lost or retained.
My only complaint
The only thing that is a bit quirky about the Sony XAV-AX150 is the way that Sony maps their steering wheel control functions. They sort of lump functions together. Although there is an option in the radio to remap these functions, I’ve had hit or miss results with that.
The default option for the “Source” button is a double function. Tap “Source” (or “Mode” on your steering wheel) to cycle between sources like Bluetooth, AM/FM Radio or CarPlay/Android Auto. If a call comes in, pressing “Source” rejects the call. If you have a “Phone” button that button does 3 functions: Voice activation or if a call is coming in it will be “Answer call” and when you want to end the call, you press the same button again. This means if your vehicle has a separate “Phone”, “Answer” and “Hang up” button, they will not function that way anymore. The “Phone” button, would do everything. Which is not a big deal, but it’s just something to keep in mind for finicky type A people like myself.
Sony XAV-AX150 Best Value CarPlay Android Auto stereo 2022
Current pricing on the XAV-AX150 ranges between $248.99 – $299.99 which is a great deal IF you can get your hands on one. No telling how long Sony will keep this model at that price. If you can find one and you’ve got an older, basic vehicle, this is a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their vehicle with modern technology at an uninflated price. Do you have the Sony XAV-AX150 in your vehicle? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
2 Comments
Hey Annie! I watched your review on this AX150 on your YouTube channel. When you demonstrated with an oscilloscope, how bad this receiver clips, it explains why mine has such terrible sound. I’ve tried everything to get this to sound right, but the sound quality is above and beyond horrible. So I should’ve listened to your advice and not attempt to make an amplified system out of it. Not even kidding, my factory head unit sounded way better and that wasn’t impressive at all. Lol!
Otherwise, this Sony head unit would be the best bang for your buck.
I just bought a Pioneer 2700NEX. Has wireless CarPlay, but more importantly, I’m really hoping this produces better sound. I’ll be hooking it up to my JL Audio RD900/5 that I currently have in my 2016 4Runner.
Please let me know your thoughts on that Pioneer head unit, and the Audio Control 8 inch subwoofer I’m gonna hook it up to my amp. Audio Control just came out with a line of actual subwoofers. The 8 inch should fit in the factory sub enclosure and it’s rated up to 500 watts RMS. Should match up better than the JL Audio W1 that’s only 150 watts.
Sorry for the long comment. I’ve became a fan of your knowledge and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!:)
Hi Damon, thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment here. Honestly the 2700 NEX is still more of a basic unit, 2 volt pre-amp, I would say geared more towards someone just looking for a wireless CarPlay/Android Auto upgrade. Not necessarily for building an audio system. You could still do it, but I have not tested the Pioneer pre-amp so I don’t know how clean it is or when it clips. For tuning purposes, to be on the safe side, you could try tuning it at 75% of peak volume. If they’re like the older Pioneer models, those usually started to clip at 35 assuming max volume was 40. I’m not sure if they’re still like that.
If you don’t need wireless, the Kenwood DMX709s is a great value double din with 5 volt pre-amp. The other thing I like about Kenwood is they tend to give you more voltage on the sub channel which is where you really need it. You have some built in overlap. And with the clipping indicator light on your JL amp, that should make it easier to set up and tune.
I am a fan of the new Audio Control subs. We have been using them in the Wrangler and Bronco Stinger subwoofer enclosures and most recently we used one of their 10’s in an extremely tight spot, behind the rear seat in a 2021 Tundra. It worked out really well, we are a fan of Audio Control subs. I hope that is helpful!