CarPlay Radio Screen for Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 and Duster 1 (2009-2015): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Few cars have shaken up the Spanish market as much as the first generation of Dacia. The Sandero, the Logan and above all the Duster proved that you could own a reliable, roomy and easy-to-maintain car without overpaying. That is why thousands of them are still on the road: they rack up the miles, and their owners are in no hurry to replace them.

All three share the same weak spot: the radio. The factory unit was designed to be cheap and simple, and today it falls far short of what we use on our phones every day. The good news is that you don't need a new car to get on-screen navigation, hands-free calls and music streaming: all it takes is a radio screen made for this dashboard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Does the Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 or Duster 1 have CarPlay as standard?

No. None of the three first-generation models left the factory with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In other markets these same cars were sold with the Renault badge (Renault Logan and Renault Sandero), but the multimedia equipment was just as basic.

Depending on the trim level, they could come with:

• Factory CD radio with a small segment display and physical buttons.
• Auxiliary or USB input on some units, for playing music from a USB stick.
• Bluetooth for calls only on the higher trims.
• Audio remote stalk behind the steering wheel on some units.
• No space set aside for a navigation system, which is why many drivers ended up with their phone stuck to the windscreen with a suction mount.

None of these options lets you see Google Maps, Waze or Spotify on a built-in screen, or connect a reversing camera.

The solution: Android radio for the Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 and Duster 1

The radio screen built for these models replaces the original unit and leaves the dashboard looking as if it had come from the factory. It includes:

• High-resolution IPS touchscreen with a custom frame for the centre console of these three models.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: your phone connects automatically when you start the car.
• Built-in GPS with offline navigation, handy in rural areas with no signal.
• WiFi and Bluetooth for hands-free calls and audio streaming.
• FM radio with RDS and a DSP processor to fine-tune the sound of the original speakers.
• USB port for music, video and phone charging.
• Steering wheel control compatibility on units that have them.
• Rear camera input, which makes parking a Duster with its high tailgate much easier.

Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 and Duster 1 compatibility: supported versions

The kit is designed for the dashboard shared across the first generation of the range:

• Dacia Sandero 1 and Sandero Stepway first generation.
• Dacia Logan 1, both the saloon and the MCV estate.
• Dacia Duster 1 with the original first-generation centre console, in both front-wheel drive and 4x4.
• Renault Logan 1 and Renault Sandero 1, the Renault-badged versions sold outside Spain.
• Petrol, dCi diesel and LPG bi-fuel engines: the radio does not depend on the engine.

Within this range there were console changes, and some facelifted Dusters were fitted with the MediaNav system and a different surround. Before you buy, compare the opening of your radio with the photos on the product page. If your car is already second generation, we have an article for the Logan 2 and Sandero 2, and in the Dacia guide you'll find every model from the brand.

What does the installation involve?

These Dacias are among the easiest cars to fit a new radio to: the console is simple and the connectors are standard.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait a few minutes.
2. Remove the factory radio: on most units it comes out with the removal keys or by releasing the trim panel with a plastic pry tool.
3. Unplug the ISO connector for power and speakers, and the aerial cable.
4. Connect the new screen's wiring harness to those same connectors. The CAN Bus box, when your version needs one, handles power-on, illumination and steering wheel controls.
5. Fit the GPS antenna under the dashboard or at the base of the windscreen, and the microphone near the rear-view mirror.
6. Route the rear camera cable through the side trim panels to the tailgate, if you're installing one.
7. Secure the frame and the screen in the original opening, with no drilling or cutting of plastic parts.
8. Reconnect the battery and test the radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay or Android Auto, GPS and controls before putting everything back together.

It's a plug & play installation that a reasonably handy DIYer can do in an afternoon. If FM reception is weak once you're done, an amplified aerial adapter usually does the trick.

How much does it cost to install CarPlay in a Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 or Duster 1?

Dacia never offered an official CarPlay upgrade for the first generation, so the dealership has no factory solution to sell you. The usual alternative is a car audio shop that fits a generic radio and charges separately for the adapter frame, the wiring harness, the steering wheel control interface and the labour.

A model-specific kit already includes the custom frame and wiring, which is exactly what drives up the cost of a generic installation. For everyday, good-value cars like these, it's the most sensible way to bring them up to date. The available memory options and the current price are always on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

Does the same kit fit the Sandero, Logan and Duster?
Yes, as long as your car still has the first-generation console. All three models share the same radio opening and factory connectors.

Does it work in a Sandero Stepway or a Logan MCV?
Yes. The Stepway and the MCV share their dashboard with the regular Sandero and Logan, so the frame fits just the same.

Will I lose the audio control on the steering wheel?
No. On units that have it, you can keep it and set it up from the radio's menu.

Do I need a SIM card for the GPS?
No. The GPS works without data using offline maps, and with CarPlay or Android Auto you use your phone's own data.

My Duster came with MediaNav from the factory. Will it fit?
Units with MediaNav have a different console surround. Send us a photo of your dashboard and we'll confirm compatibility before you buy.

See the CarPlay radio for the Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 and Duster 1

You can see all the details, photos and memory options on the page for the CarPlay and Android Auto radio screen for Dacia Sandero 1, Logan 1 and Duster 1 (2009-2015). If you're unsure about your version, message us with your model, year and trim level and we'll confirm compatibility before you buy.