CarPlay Radio Screen for Volvo S60, V70 and XC70 (2004-2009): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The first-generation Volvo S60 and the V70 and XC70 built on the P2 platform are cars people buy to keep for life: D5 diesel engines that easily pass 400,000 kilometres, some of the best seats on the market and safety that is still a benchmark. The only thing that has aged badly is the radio. Between the CD player, the small monochrome display on the dashboard and the complete lack of phone integration, driving one of these Volvos today means keeping your phone in a holder with a charging cable hanging from the lighter socket. A dedicated radio screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto solves all of that without touching the character of the car.

Does the Volvo S60, V70 or XC70 have CarPlay as standard?

No. No version of the first-generation S60 or the P2 V70/XC70 left the factory with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: these cars were designed long before those systems existed. Depending on the trim, they have HU-650, HU-850 or HU-870 audio units with CD, a cassette player in the early years or a disc changer, and the best-equipped versions have the RTI navigation system with a pop-up screen that rises from the top of the dashboard and is operated with a control behind the steering wheel. Some have Bluetooth for calls through an additional module, but none of them lets you see Google Maps, Waze, Spotify or WhatsApp on screen. The RTI maps also stopped being updated a long time ago.

The solution: Android radio for Volvo S60, V70 and XC70

The radio screen for Volvo S60, V70 and XC70 replaces the original unit with a 9-inch touchscreen that fits into the centre console with a dedicated frame, respecting the lines of the Scandinavian dashboard. It includes:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: your phone connects automatically when you start the car.
• GPS navigation with its own antenna and support for Google Maps and Waze.
• Bluetooth hands-free for calls and music.
• FM radio and playback from USB, Bluetooth or Spotify.
• Compatibility with the steering wheel controls through a CAN Bus decoder.
• Two USB extensions to place the connections in the glovebox or armrest.
• Free universal rear camera, very useful on an estate as long as the V70.
• Versions with different RAM and storage to choose from depending on your use.

Compatibility with Volvo S60, V70 and XC70: supported versions

The kit is designed for these models and years:

• Volvo S60 first generation (saloon), cars from 2004 to 2009.
• Volvo V70 second generation (P2 estate), cars from 2004 onwards.
• Volvo XC70 on the same P2 platform (rugged AWD estate).

It works both for cars with the basic audio unit and for those with RTI navigation, as long as the centre console is the P2 platform one. Be careful with the third-generation V70 and XC70, which arrived halfway through this period with a completely different dashboard (the floating console): those cars have their own radio screen for the third-generation Volvo S80, V70 and XC70. If you have an S80 from the same era, see the Volvo S80 Mk1 (P2) guide. If in doubt, send us a photo of your radio and centre console before ordering.

What does the installation involve?

The radio comes with everything needed for a plug & play installation, without cutting or splicing any original wires:

1. The centre console trims are removed and the original audio unit is taken out.
2. The dedicated power harness is connected to the Volvo connector and the CAN Bus box is fitted in between; it reads the car's signals (ignition, lights, steering wheel controls).
3. The GPS antenna, radio antenna, the two USB cables and, if desired, the free rear camera are connected.
4. The screen is fitted with its dedicated frame and the trims are put back.
5. The unit is switched on, the CAN Bus type is selected in the settings and the phone is paired via Bluetooth to activate CarPlay or Android Auto.

A car electronics installer can do it in one or two hours. With some skill and the included manual, it is also a job the owner can handle.

How much does it cost to install CarPlay in a Volvo S60, V70 or XC70?

At a Volvo dealer there is no option: these cars do not support CarPlay via a software update, and the RTI navigation does not even have a modern replacement. The alternatives are a universal double-DIN radio, which means hunting for generic frames that rarely fit the Volvo console well and paying workshop hours to adapt it, or a dedicated radio like this one, which comes with the frame, CAN Bus, GPS antenna and rear camera included. That is where the real saving lies: no loose parts to buy and no custom installation to pay for. You can check the current price of each version on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

Does it work if my Volvo has RTI navigation with the pop-up screen?
Yes, the radio replaces the audio unit in the centre console. The RTI pop-up screen is no longer needed, because navigation moves to the new 9-inch screen with Google Maps, Waze or the built-in GPS.

Is the sound of the Dolby or premium audio systems kept?
In most cases yes, but some V70 and XC70 models with an external amplifier need the connection to be adjusted. Send us a photo of the radio and we will confirm the correct wiring.

Do the steering wheel controls still work?
Yes, thanks to the included CAN Bus box you keep volume, track change and calls.

Does it fit the all-wheel-drive XC70?
Yes. The drivetrain makes no difference: what matters is that the dashboard is the P2 platform one.

Do I need mobile data for navigation?
Not necessarily. CarPlay and Android Auto use your phone's data, but the radio also has its own GPS and supports offline maps.

See CarPlay radio for Volvo S60, V70 and XC70

If you want your Volvo S60, V70 or XC70 to remain your car for many more years, but with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can see all the details and choose your preferred version of the CarPlay radio screen for Volvo S60, V70 and XC70 in our shop.