Lexus ES: GPS Reviews

This article applies to the Lexus ES (2006-2012).

Upgrading your head unit is a pretty large investment, so you need to make sure you pick the one that has all the features you want. Lexus vehicles built after 2006 have non-standard multimedia, HVAC stack. The traditional "double-din" configuration will not be a direct replacement for the stock units. They can be adapted to the vehicle with some custom wiring and dash kit, but the entire thing must be built custom. The easiest alternative is to replace the stock, non-navigation equipped head unit with one that does have navigation. Of course, the factory setup won't have the myriad of features that the following kits do.

GPS Head Unit Comparison

Clarion NZ503

Price - $500

GPS Support - Built-in

Phone Support - iPhone and most Android

Bluetooth Support - Hands-free calling and audio streaming

External Media Support Front - 1x 3.5mm aux

External Media Support Rear - 1x USB, 1x backup camera, 1x composite video

The Clarion unit is a great unit for those on a budget. It comes with all the basic features out of the box; however, features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, and steering wheel controls will all require separately sold adapters. On the downside, the screen is a "pull-out and flip-up" style monitor. Extended use can cause the connections in the screen to wear out. Also, the maps for navigation come on an SD card. Internal storage sidesteps the issue of wear and tear on the SD car. Recommended if you need an inexpensive, single-din head unit.

Pioneer AVIC-7000 NEX

Price - $850

GPS Support - Built-in

Phone Support - iPhone and most Android

Bluetooth Support - Hands-free calling and audio streaming

External Media Support Front - N/A

External Media Support Rear - 2x USB, 1x SD card, 1x composite, 1x HDMI

The Pioneer's AVIC-7000 NEX is sleek with no knobs sticking out off of it. Some physical buttons at the bottom are nice as well; it makes it easier to press the correct button without the need to take your eyes off the road. Apple CarPlay is also enabled on here, which allows you to do just about everything you would on your phone but on the head unit's screen instead. Pioneer also has adapters available to be able to retain other options such as your steering wheel controls. Recommended if you need a good-looking, capable head unit.

Kenwood DNX571HD

Price - $650

GPS Support - Built-in

Phone Support - iPhone and Android

Bluetooth Support - Hands-free calling and audio streaming

External Media Support Front - 1x CD

External Media Support Rear - 1x HDMI, 1x USB, 2x composite, 1x backup camera

For those who don't want to spend their entire paycheck, the Kenwood DNX571HD is a good choice. It is equipped with all the basic features you'd expect out of the box and extras, such as Pandora Radio or steering wheel controls, which can be added with the use of adapter cables. Notice that this is the only item on this list with a CD/DVD player built in. While this may be a nice feature to have for some, only a few people these days still carry a CD collection in their cars. This head unit also has a huge volume knob which takes away from what could have been a very sleek face. Recommended if you need GPS navigation, CD player, and upgradeability.

Roadrover C7008LE

Price - $900

GPS Support - Built-in

Phone Support - iPhone and Android

Bluetooth Support - Hands-free calling and audio streaming

External Media Support Front - N/A

External Media Support Rear - 2x USB, 1x SD card

The Roadrover head unit sits in a completely different category than the rest of this list. In addition to replacing your factory radio, it also replaces the trim along the sides. By replacing the trim, it allows for the larger screen to fit properly, and it also retains pretty close factory locations for all of the original buttons. It's completely plug-and-play right out of the box, and a great way to transform the whole look of the center dash area in your car. The only negative is the lack of support for adding a true aftermarket audio system without the need of extra adapters, but for those who like to keep everything as OEM as possible this is a great solution. Recommended if you want a direct replacement for the factory system.

Parrot Asteroid Smart

Price - $500

GPS Support - Streamed from smartphone

Phone Support - iPhone and Android

Bluetooth Support - Hands-free calling, audio streaming, and navigation streaming

External Media Support Front - 1x SD card

External Media Support Rear - 4x USB, 1x backup camera, 1x composite video

This is a favorite head unit on this list because of the clean on-screen layout from its Android operating system. It's still relatively new to the market, but it has a lot of built-in features you'll find in the $7-$900 range units. For those with a nice audio system, you'll also appreciate the 6v pre-outs for all your amplifiers. The only downside is the constant use of your phone for maps. When using your phone, you're tapping into your data plan which could lead to an expensive cell phone bill. Recommended if you need a high-tech, mobile friendly head unit.

Related Discussions

• RoadRover Navigation - ClubLexus.com
• Lexus ES 3rd Generation to 4th Generation Navigation - ClubLexus.com
• Need NAV Solution With Aftermarket Stereo ASAP - ClubLexus.com
• Would Lexus Offer An Upgrade to 2G (Interactive) GPS Nav Systems? - ClubLexus.com
• Iphone and Aftermarket GPS - ClubLexus.com