The Best CarPlay For Older Cars: Based on Customer Reviews

We've all experienced that moment of tech envy. You climb into a friend's newer vehicle and watch as they effortlessly navigate their digital dashboard—streaming music, taking calls, and getting directions without ever reaching for their phone. Meanwhile, back in your trusted older car, the basic stereo system seems increasingly out of step with today's connected world.

The solution isn't trading in your beloved vehicle for a newer model—it's simply adding Apple CarPlay capability through one of our specially designed screens. We've spent years refining our technology to ensure seamless integration with vehicles of all ages and makes.

From our extensive customer feedback analysis, 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 address different driver needs while maintaining our commitment to quality and affordability.

In this review, we'll take you through what makes these two models particularly exceptional. We'll explain their distinct features, installation processes, and compatibility considerations to help you determine which would be the perfect match for your specific vehicle and driving habits.

Join us as we show you exactly how these screens can transform your driving experience from outdated to outstanding—all within minutes of opening the box.

Best CarPlay For Older Cars: Overview

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

2. CarTablet Pro™ (2024 Model)—Costs Less, Built With Sun Hood. 
   

Since 2016, cars have started coming packaged with CarPlay, with some automobiles featuring them as early as 2014. However, if you missed out, you can still upgrade your ride in a few ways. 

One way is to swap out your car’s built-in stereo for a new one that supports CarPlay (and usually Android Auto too). 

It’s a clean, all-in-one upgrade, but installing it can be a bit of a headache—you’ll need to remove the old unit, deal with wiring, and make sure everything is compatible with your car’s system.

The easier option is to use a portable CarPlay screen. 

For this review, I’ll be focusing on portable CarPlay screens because they’re:

1. More budget-friendly than replacing your whole stereo

2. Universally compatible—works in any car, no matter how old

3. Easy to install—just mount it and go!

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

CarTablet Pro Max™ (2025 Model)

My first impression is that 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, the screen mirroring feature means you can easily display an Apple or Android phone’s screen. 

One of my favorite features is the built-in 4K dashcam. It records everything while you drive, which gives you extra peace of mind in case of any unexpected incidents. The footage is super clear, even at night.

It also easily connects to your car speakers through FM transmission, AUX, or Bluetooth, ensuring solid sound quality. With WiFi support, you can even stream on the go.

WHAT DOES THE CARPLAY SCREEN COME WITH? 

The package includes a 10-inch car tablet, a dashboard bracket, a suction cup bracket, an AUX cable, a built-in FM transmitter, an optional reversing camera kit, a manual and video instructions, and a USB port adapter.

WHO SHOULD BUY THIS CARPLAY SCREEN?

If a CarPlay for older cars is exactly what you’re looking for, then this is the best buy. It is portable, mountable, and affordable. But of course, if you’re on a tight budget, you can buy the previous model. 

2. CarTablet Pro™ (2024 Model)—Costs Less, Built With Sun Hood.

The first thing that stood out to me was the 7-inch 4K screen protected with a sun hood. 

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

One of the best features is the seamless connection with my phone. It supports wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so I can effortlessly access my apps, calls, and messages. 

Another major win is the included TF card, which adds storage for music or offline maps. 

Also, the device supports multiple languages like English, Spanish, French, and Chinese, perfect for multilingual users.

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

WHAT DOES THE CARPLAY SCREEN COME WITH? 

In the package, you will find the 7-inch CarTablet, dashboard bracket, suction cup bracket, AUX cable, built-in FM transmitter, and optional reversing camera kit. 

It also has a manual, video guide, and USB port adapter, allowing you to charge two devices on the road. 

WHO SHOULD BUY THIS CARPLAY SCREEN?

If you want an easy-to-install, feature-packed upgrade for your old car, the CarTablet Pro™ is an excellent option. 

It’s affordable, highly functional, and works smoothly with all essential driving apps. If you’re on a tight budget, I highly recommend it.

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

These devices, which we just considered, cost a maximum of $150 to $200 each. That’s about how much you will spend to start enjoying the Apple CarPlay experience in your car. 

You won’t need to pay anyone for installation or modifications to your existing stereo system. 

It’s more affordable than replacing your car’s single DIN stereo head unit, which can cost from $300 to over $1,000.

Final Thoughts: Is CarPlay Worth the Investment?

Apple CarPlay lets you connect your iPhone to your car’s screen so you can use maps, make calls, send texts, and control your favorite apps—all without touching your phone. 

Driving is safer and more convenient since you can now mirror your iPhone’s interface right on your dashboard.

Fortunately, these CarTablet models work in any car with a cigarette lighter port, 12V port, car charger port, or USB port. No matter how old your car model is, it will be compatible with it.