CarPlay Screen Radio for Renault Scénic 3 (2009-2016): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Few cars have taken as many families on holiday as the Renault Scénic 3. Its third generation, alongside the seven-seat Grand Scénic, became the benchmark MPV for space, modularity and dCi engines that rack up kilometres without complaining. Thousands of them are still on the road every day.

What has not aged as well is the infotainment system. Between radios with monochrome displays, Carminat navigation units running decade-old maps and Bluetooth connections that only handle calls, the Scénic 3's interior gives away its age the moment you sit down. And with children in the back asking for music and a sat nav that has no idea there is a traffic jam ahead, it shows more than you would think.

The answer is not to change cars: there is a model-specific screen radio for the Scénic 3 that replaces the original unit and adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while keeping the factory look.

Does the Renault Scénic 3 have CarPlay as standard?

No. No version of the Scénic 3 left the factory with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Depending on trim and year, your car may have one of these systems:

• Radio Classic / Radio Bluetooth: the most common on entry trims. Small monochrome display, CD and, if you are lucky, basic hands-free.
• Carminat TomTom: Renault's integrated navigation of the era. It worked well at the time, but it relies on paid map updates and its interface now lags far behind any phone.
• Renault R-Link: fitted to later cars in the run. It had its own app store, but it never received CarPlay or Android Auto, and today most of those apps are no longer maintained.

In short: it does not matter which trim you have. There is no way to add CarPlay to a Scénic 3 through software, because the original hardware does not support it. The only route is replacing the infotainment unit with one that does.

The solution: Android radio for the Renault Scénic 3

Our model-specific screen radio for the Renault Scénic 3 is built to fit this model's opening. That means its own frame, connectors that plug into the original harness and dimensions designed for the Scénic's console, with no trimming or improvising.

What it includes:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both wireless and wired.
• High-resolution touchscreen, far better than any original unit for this model.
• Navigation with Google Maps or Waze, with live traffic and speed cameras that update themselves.
• Spotify, YouTube Music, podcasts and online radio on screen.
• Bluetooth with quality hands-free and an external microphone included.
• Rear camera input, highly recommended on an MPV with that rear window.
• RCA outputs for an amplifier and subwoofer.
• Steering wheel controls and the stalk behind the wheel retained, thanks to the included CAN Bus decoder.
• WiFi and a SIM slot depending on the version chosen.

Renault Scénic 3 compatibility: supported versions

The unit is designed for the third generation of the Scénic (JZ chassis), covering its full commercial run and both facelifts. It is compatible with:

• Renault Scénic 3 five-seater, in all trims.
• Renault Grand Scénic 3 seven-seater, long body.
• dCi versions (1.5, 1.6 and 1.9) and TCe petrol versions.
• Authentique, Expression, Dynamique, Privilege and Bose Edition trims.
• Cars with Radio Classic, Carminat TomTom or R-Link from the factory.

One thing to bear in mind: if your Scénic has the Bose sound system, it uses its own amplifier and it is worth confirming before buying so the correct adapter is included and you do not lose speakers. If you do not know which system you have, send us a photo of your current radio or the VIN and we will check it for you.

What is the installation like?

It is a plug & play installation: no wire on the car is cut or spliced. With a little patience it can be done at home in an afternoon, and an installer will have it finished in a bit over an hour.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Essential before touching anything.
2. Remove the centre console trim with plastic tools. On the Scénic 3 it is clipped in, so pull it straight out without forcing it.
3. Undo the original unit's screws and pull it out towards you.
4. Unplug the ISO and antenna connectors from the factory radio.
5. Connect the new screen's harness. The CAN Bus decoder is the key part: it translates the vehicle's signals so the steering wheel controls, the audio stalk behind the wheel and the trip computer information keep working.
6. Position the microphone near the rear-view mirror or on the A-pillar, running the cable through the headlining.
7. Fit the screen into the opening, screw it in and refit the trim.
8. Reconnect the battery and start up. The first boot takes a little longer while the system configures itself. Then pair your phone over WiFi and check the steering wheel controls.

How much does it cost to install CarPlay in a Renault Scénic 3?

At a Renault dealer the answer is the same as for any other model of that generation: there is no official retrofit. The most they can offer is updating the Carminat or R-Link maps, which is exactly the recurring expense CarPlay removes, because navigation moves to your phone and updates itself.

The other common alternative, fitting a universal double-DIN radio, is cheap but it shows: frames that do not line up, visible gaps and, above all, loss of the steering wheel controls when no model-specific CAN Bus decoder is installed.

With a model-specific Scénic 3 radio the car keeps its original finish and all its functions, and you gain a current infotainment system. Our units include 3 years of warranty and technical support throughout the process.

Frequently asked questions

Does the audio stalk behind the steering wheel still work?
Yes. That distinctive Renault control is retained thanks to the CAN Bus decoder, as are the buttons on the wheel itself.

I have the Carminat TomTom. Do I lose navigation?
Replacing the unit means you stop using the Carminat, but you swap it for Google Maps or Waze with live traffic. In practice it is a huge step up, and without paying for map updates again.

Does it also fit the seven-seat Grand Scénic?
Yes. The Grand Scénic 3 shares its centre console and harness with the five-seat Scénic 3, so it is the same unit.

Can I add a reversing camera?
Yes, and on an MPV this size it is one of the most appreciated upgrades. The screen has a video input and switches over automatically when you select reverse.

Can the original radio be refitted?
Yes. Since no wires are cut, you simply keep the factory unit and refit it if you ever sell the car.

See the CarPlay radio for the Renault Scénic 3

All specifications, screen sizes and memory configurations are on the product page for the CarPlay and Android Auto screen radio for the Renault Scénic 3. If you are unsure about your trim or sound system, message us before buying and we will confirm the exact version you need.