Kia Picanto (2011-2016) RHD Android 15 Car Stereo Head Unit

Exceptional customer support

Package arrived in 2 days, beautifully boxed. I had a slight issue identifying the steering wheel control wire in the Kia loom. Messaged SyncSonic support on WhatsApp, and they sent me a clear photo diagram instantly. Brilliant service.

Pure digital audio output for my sub

I built a custom sound system for my Picanto. I used the optical TOSLINK output straight into a DSP amp in the boot. The audio signal is completely pure digital. Absolutely zero alternator whine.

USB ports routed nicely

The provided dual USB cables were long enough to route straight down into the lower storage cubby ahead of the gear stick. Keeps my flash drives completely hidden.

Android 15 is exceptionally stable

Running live OBD2 engine telemetry via Torque over Bluetooth, streaming HD music, and running Waze simultaneously on the A18 PRO model. The system hasn't crashed or hung up a single time.

Solid mounting hardware

The new fascia clips securely into the original factory mounting holes on the dash. The screen is rock solid and doesn't vibrate or shake at all over rough UK country roads. Very well manufactured plastic.

Highly responsive touchscreen

The capacitive glass feels premium, just like an iPad. Swiping through the app drawer and pinching to zoom on satellite maps is incredibly fluid without any frustrating ghosting or delay.

Massive 128GB local storage

Downloaded massive offline map areas for a UK road trip, plus gigabytes of downloaded music. The eMMC storage is very fast and I still have tons of space left over.

Flawless GPS lock

The magnetic GPS receiver works flawlessly. I mounted it completely hidden behind the glovebox. It locks onto 15+ satellites instantly with zero dropouts, tracking my speed flawlessly.

The X73 PRO 360 camera makes it the ultimate city car

The Picanto is already easy to park, but I fitted the 360-degree cameras with the X73 tier. The top-down view makes squeezing into impossibly tight city spots absolutely effortless.

A6 PRO base model is incredible value

I didn't need 4G or crazy RAM for my 1.25 runaround, just wanted Wireless CarPlay. The A6 PRO quad-core handles it perfectly. Very cost-effective way to get modern navigation in a first car.

Wireless Android Auto is flawless

I jump in, and my Samsung links up wirelessly in about 5 seconds. No messing around with cables tangling around the gear stick or handbrake. Rock solid connection that hasn't dropped once on my daily commute.

Split screen is perfect on a 9-inch display

The widescreen aspect ratio is practically made for split-screen. I have Google Maps running on the driver's side of the screen, and my Spotify playlist on the passenger side. Incredibly functional layout.

Bluetooth calls are crystal clear

The 1.0 engine has to rev pretty high on the motorway. Mounted the supplied clip-on microphone up by the sun visor. Callers say they can hear me perfectly at 70mph; the echo cancellation on the Bluetooth 5.0 chip is stellar.

Installation is very straightforward

Taking the Picanto dashboard apart is actually very easy, just pull the center trim panel and undo four screws holding the original radio bracket. The actual stereo wiring is strictly plug-and-play. Very rewarding DIY.

4G LTE slot is highly convenient

Bought the A18 PRO and popped a cheap data SIM card into the slot located in the glovebox harness. The car now has its own permanent internet connection. Perfect for a car that doesn't have built-in nav.

Zero lag with 8GB RAM (X73 PRO)

I went for the highest spec version. Bouncing between Waze, Apple CarPlay, and split-screen Android apps is buttery smooth. The Octa-Core processor handles heavy GPS rendering without breaking a sweat.

Audio quality improved dramatically

The standard factory speakers in the Picanto are notoriously flat and tinny. The built-in 32-band DSP chip completely opened up the soundstage. I tuned the bass and mid-range, and it sounds incredible without even changing the door speakers.

Fantastic anti-glare IPS panel

The anti-reflective coating on this glass is excellent, keeping Google Maps completely visible and readable even on bright summer days. The IPS viewing angles mean my passenger can see the Spotify tracks clearly too.

Instant boot is brilliant

I turn the key in the ignition and by the time I have my seatbelt on, the screen is awake and Wireless CarPlay is connected. No annoying 30-second Android loading screens every time I jump in the car for errands.

A massive upgrade for city driving

I use the Picanto for commuting and delivery driving. Popping a 4G SIM card into the A18 PRO unit means I have Waze running with live traffic, while Spotify streams seamlessly. Never drops the connection. Absolutely brilliant for avoiding jams.

Steering wheel buttons retained instantly

Plugged the main block in, went into the steering wheel control app, and mapped my volume and track skipping buttons instantly. The Kia resistive steering wheel controls work perfectly without needing a complex CANbus box.

Great unit, hazard switch swap is easy

The stereo plug-and-play aspect is flawless. Just a quick tip: you need to unscrew your hazard light button from the old radio fascia and screw it into the new one. Takes 2 minutes and fits perfectly.

Red illumination matching is spot on!

My biggest pet peeve with aftermarket radios is mismatched button colours. You can tune the RGB lights on the side of this unit to the exact Kia red. At night, it blends into the center console flawlessly with the rest of the dials.

Absolutely transforms the Picanto interior

The original CD radio in my 2013 Picanto was incredibly basic. This 9-inch screen cleans up the dashboard beautifully. Crucially, this is the RHD version, so the plastic fascia matches the UK dashboard shape perfectly and faces the driver. Highly recommend.