If your current ride didn't come with a factory navigation system, you might think you're stuck without a clean, integrated in-dash solution. You'd be wrong. The Sony XNV-770BT Multimedia Navigation Player ($1,300) is a one-stop car entertainment powerhouse, sporting a 7-inch WVGA touch screen display, GPS with integrated TomTom navigation and pre-loaded maps of North America — with a year... [More]

If you went by Pimp My Ride episodes, improving your car's sound system involves buying a new head unit, speakers, amplifier, TVs, an extra gaming console, etc. Fortunately, JBL's engineers don't watch MTV, so instead they came up with the JBL MS-8 System Digital Processor ($800). This non-intrusive box packs a powerful digital signal processor offering digital sound processing equalization... [More]

What's better than a head unit with built-in GPS? How about a unit with detachable GPS. The Eclipse AVN2210p MK II ($600) offers a detachable TomTom portable GPS for your way-finding needs, and also offers a CD player with support for MP3 and WMA discs, a double-DIN design, sleek blue illumination, a low-pass filter for adding a subwoofer, 50W x... [More]

Add the latest in-car navigation, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, and voice activation technology to your ride with the Pioneer AVIC-F500BT ($TBA; Spring 2008). This semi-portable, do-it-all gadget integrates with your existing car stereo to offer voice-guided navigation, complete iPod control, and built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling. The 5.8-inch touch screen allows for simple controls, and VoiceBox allows you to keep your... [More]

The Blaupunkt Velocity 2Go ($TBA) makes the in-car subwoofer sensible again by functioning as a dedicated subwoofer when it's docked in the rear of the car, and as a portable boombox when you arrive at your destination. Features include RMS power of 80 Watts, two woofers, two tweeters (for boombox use), auxiliary input, and aluminum and MDF construction.... [More]

If you listen almost exclusively to your iPod in your car, you've probably been waiting for a head unit like this. The Alpine iDA-X001 ($450; April 2007) lets you hook up your iPod via a high-speed USB connection, and then browse it from the iDA's 2.2" screen, just like you would if it was in your hand. Plus the unit... [More]

If you're looking for an in-car receiver that can handle almost anything you throw at it, check out the Pioneer FH-P510MD Multi-Media DSP Receiver ($400). Along with the requisite CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 and WMA support, you also get a mini-disc player that can handle traditional MDs and has MDLP support. Other features of the double-din unit include an AM/FM... [More]

Normally to get good bass in your car, you'd need to get a couple subwoofers and an enormous box to keep them in. Not anymore, thanks to the Pioneer TS-SW2541D Shallow Subwoofer ($180). It doesn't need the room of a normal sub (just 3" of depth), so you can stick it out of the way — in places like under... [More]

If your current ride didn't come with a GPS navigation system, you have two choices — buy a dash/windshield-mount system or replace your factory unit with a more advanced in-dash system. The Pioneer AVIC-D2 ($1,500) is definitely advanced. The DVD-based navigation system features an easy-to-read 6.5-inch touch-screen LCD, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and a sleek and understated double-din design that blends... [More]

If you have a car that's slightly older or came with slightly less niceties than you really wanted, you can always go with an aftermarket stereo — but sometimes the upgraded tunes aren't the only thing that needs help. The Sony MEX-BT5000 ($TBA) takes things to the next level by providing Bluetooth handsfree integration right from the head unit, including... [More]

Ever see a commercial for a sweet new car and think “Damn, that big screen would be really handy in my ‘98 Civic?” Well, you can bring some new car bling to your aged ride with the Alpine IVA-D310 DVD/CD Receiver ($1500). Apart from the super-cool, motorized, retractable 7” LCD touchscreen monitor, this puppy also features iPod integration, inputs for... [More]

Most factory car radios, well, suck. Replace the shoddy plastic controls of your factory unit with this receiver from Alpine. The CDA-9855 ($450) features GlideTouch control technology that allows you to navigate with just your finger, a Biolite display, is XM and Sirius ready, and perhaps most importantly, offers great integration with the iPod. Your only problem now should be... [More]

Suddenly, we no longer want that gaudy 10-inch flip-up display in our truck. The JVC KD-AVX1 In-Dash DVD Player ($600) plays DVDs on a slick built-in 3-inch LCD screen. It also plays discs filled with MP3s and WMAs (in addition those normal CD thingies you buy at the store), and provides JPEG image viewing. The unit has a built-in amp... [More]

We love car audio, but since the introduction of portable MP3 players with massive hard drives (namely the iPod), we’ve been disappointed that there hasn’t been more effort to try and integrate those players and the center of the car audio experience — the receiver. The Pioneer DEH-P7700MP ($270) addresses this issue and more, offering compatibility for MP3, WMA, and... [More]

We started the site you're reading right now for products like this. The Panasonic CQ-TX5500D ($950) is the only car stereo that we know of that features a built-in vacuum tube amplifier for all the retro-sounding overtones you so desperately desire. It plays CD, CD-R, CD-RW and MP3 discs, and emits an orange glow that you can see through the... [More]