CarPlay Radio Screen for Suzuki Jimny 3 JB23 and JB43 (1998-2018): how to install Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

The third-generation Suzuki Jimny is a cult off-roader. Small, light, with low-range gearing and a ladder-frame chassis, it climbs trails where SUVs costing three times as much get stuck. It has a huge following in Spain: you see it in mountain villages, on farms, on weekend 4x4 routes and in the city too, where its compact size is an advantage.

It stayed on sale for many years with hardly any changes, and that has a downside: inside, it got stuck in another era. The factory radio has no screen, no navigation and no decent way to use your phone. If your Jimny is still in perfect mechanical shape, a dedicated radio screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is the upgrade you'll notice most in everyday driving, and out on the trail too, with your maps always in view.

Does the Suzuki Jimny 3 have CarPlay as standard?

No. No version of the Jimny JB23 or JB43 left the factory with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It's a car designed to be simple and tough, and its multimedia equipment was always the bare minimum.

Depending on version and trim, it could come with:

• Factory CD radio with a segment display and physical buttons.
• Auxiliary or USB input on later cars, for playing music from a USB stick.
• Bluetooth for calls only on some special editions.
• Two front speakers and, depending on version, two small rear ones.
• No built-in navigation: most owners use their phone mounted on the dashboard.

In a car that spends a lot of time off the tarmac, having your phone loose or stuck on a suction mount is awkward and not very safe over the bumps of a dirt track.

The solution: Android radio for the Suzuki Jimny 3

The dedicated radio screen for the Jimny Mk3 replaces the original unit with a black frame made to measure for its console, keeping the original climate controls and switches. It includes:

• 9-inch IPS QLED touchscreen, with good visibility even in direct sunlight.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: your phone connects automatically when you start the engine.
• Android system with an 8-core processor, smooth for navigation and music playback.
• GPS with offline navigation, ideal for trails and mountain areas with no signal.
• WiFi, Bluetooth hands-free and optional 4G connectivity.
• DSP with a professional equalizer to get more out of your speakers.
• Steering wheel control compatibility on cars fitted with them.
• Inputs for rear and front cameras: the front one is really handy for spotting obstacles on steep climbs.

Suzuki Jimny 3 compatibility: supported versions

The kit covers the entire third generation of the Jimny:

• Suzuki Jimny JB23 with a petrol engine.
• Suzuki Jimny JB43, the European version with a 1.3 petrol or 1.5 diesel engine.
• JX and JLX trims and the special editions sold in Spain.
• Cars from the various facelifts this generation received over its production run.
• Hardtop and soft-top convertible body styles.

The current fourth-generation Jimny has a completely different dashboard and is not compatible with this kit. If you're unsure about your car, compare the radio slot with the photos on the product page.

What is the installation like?

The Jimny's dashboard is simple, with few plastic panels, so fitting is quick.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before you start.
2. Remove the centre console trim with a plastic pry tool so you don't mark it.
3. Undo the screws holding the factory radio and pull it out of the slot.
4. Unplug the ISO connector and the antenna cable.
5. Connect the included ISO wiring and CAN Bus adapter: they keep the ignition feed, illumination and steering wheel controls working.
6. Place the external GPS module under the dashboard and the hands-free microphone near the rear-view mirror.
7. Route the USB extension cable to the glovebox or console so the port is always within reach.
8. Mount the frame and screen with the included hardware and reconnect the battery to check that everything works.

It's a plug & play system: no cutting wires or modifying the dashboard, and the original radio can be refitted if you ever want to return the car to standard.

How much does it cost to install CarPlay in a Suzuki Jimny 3?

Suzuki doesn't offer any official CarPlay update for this generation, so there's no factory option at the dealer. The usual alternative is a car audio shop fitting a universal radio, with the adapter frame, wiring harness and steering control interface bought separately, plus the labour.

The dedicated kit already comes with the frame, ISO wiring, CAN Bus, GPS, microphone and hardware, so you don't have to hunt for separate parts and the result looks fully integrated. For a car people keep for many years, as is so common with the Jimny, it's an investment that pays for itself quickly. The memory versions and the current price are on the product page.

Frequently asked questions

Does it fit the diesel Jimny?
Yes. The JB43 with the 1.5 diesel engine shares its dashboard with the petrol version, so the kit fits just the same.

Can it handle the vibrations of driving on trails?
The screen is bolted to the frame and to the structure of the original slot, with no brackets or suction mounts, so it stays solid even on badly rutted tracks.

Can I use maps without signal out in the countryside?
Yes. The built-in GPS works with downloaded maps, with no need for mobile data.

Is it compatible with the new Jimny?
No. The fourth-generation Jimny has a different dashboard and different electronics; this kit is only for the JB23 and JB43.

Can I connect two cameras?
Yes. The radio has inputs for a rear camera and a front camera, which is very practical for off-road manoeuvres.

See the CarPlay radio for the Suzuki Jimny 3

You'll find all the details, photos and memory options on the page for the CarPlay and Android Auto radio screen for Suzuki Jimny 3 JB23 JB43 (1998-2018). If you have any questions about your version, write to us with the year, engine and trim, and we'll confirm compatibility before you buy.