Subaru Outback 2015-2018 — Premium 9” CarPlay & Android Auto Head Unit

Our unit is made in China. Just like our iPhones. The difference is what's inside and who stands behind it.

This unit runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 processor (same chip family used in flagship phones), 8GB RAM, and Android 13. Generic Amazon units use no-name processors with 2GB RAM or less. That's why they lag, freeze, and die within months.

More importantly: we verify compatibility for your exact Subaru Outback trim, include a vehicle-specific harness, and provide lifetime support from humans. The $150 Amazon seller won't answer when your screen goes black in 6 months.

"I did a lot of research on other units and glad I settled with this one."
— Daniel G., Toyota RAV4 owner

No. Most customers say it sounds better.

The unit has a built-in 10-band DSP (digital signal processor) that rivals standalone Pioneer and Kenwood units. You can fine-tune EQ for your exact speaker setup.

Your factory Subaru Outback speakers will work with no changes. If you have a factory subwoofer or premium audio package, the harness preserves those connections too.

Yes. Both are preserved.

The vehicle-specific harness we include handles the integration automatically. Your steering wheel volume, track skip, and voice buttons will work exactly like they do now. Your factory backup camera (if equipped) connects directly. No adapters needed, no extra cost.

"Most head units I've tried, I couldn't get the backup camera or steering wheel controls to work. This one I had no issues whatsoever!"
— Katelynn H., Nissan Rogue owner

You're covered.

• 2-year warranty on manufacturing defects. We replace, repair, or refund.
• 30-day returns
• Lifetime installation support. Not 90 days. Not a chatbot. Real humans via WhatsApp or support@cartechstudio.com, for as long as you own the unit.

We typically respond in less than 1 business day.

No. This installation is fully reversible. No wire cutting required.

The harness we include plugs into your existing factory connectors. No wires are cut, spliced, or modified. Your car's electrical system stays intact. If you ever want to go back to stock, you (or any shop) can reinstall the original head unit in under an hour.

On warranty: In the US, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you. A dealer can't void your warranty just because you installed an aftermarket unit. They'd have to prove the unit caused the specific problem. Since this is a clean, reversible install with no wire modifications, that's essentially impossible.

Keep your original head unit in a box. If you sell your Subaru Outback or need warranty service, swap it back.

No wire cutting. No splicing. Everything plugs into factory connectors.

The harness we send is matched to your exact Subaru Outback trim. It plugs into your car's existing connectors. Most customers finish installation in about 90 minutes. We include a step-by-step installation manual.

If you've never done this before: it's doable. Not comfortable with DIY? Any local car audio shop can install this. Find one at Car Audio Shops.

"Installation was simple, and it looks like it came from the factory."
— Devin P., Honda Civic owner

We confirm compatibility and fit before we ship.

After you order, we email asking for a photo of your dashboard. Different Outback trims have different layouts. We verify compatibility and send the correct harness for your specific car.

If something doesn't match, we issue a full refund before shipping. No cancellation fees. If it arrives and we can't make it work, we issue a full refund + cover return shipping.

Three things: hardware, compatibility, and support.

Hardware: This runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6125 with 8GB RAM. Most Amazon units use unbranded processors with 2GB RAM or less. That's why they're slow, freeze constantly, and fail within a year.

Compatibility: Amazon units come with generic harnesses that often don't match your car. You end up buying adapters, splicing wires, and losing steering wheel controls. We send a harness matched to your exact Outback trim. Everything works out of the box.

Support: When your $150 Amazon unit stops working, you're on your own. We provide lifetime support from real humans who typically respond in less than 1 business day.

"This company got me a corrected harness free of charge due to my car being a different version than common for its year."
— Colby S., Toyota GT86 owner

Dealers typically quote $1,200-$1,800 for a screen upgrade, and you're still stuck with their limited factory software.

Our unit costs a fraction of that, includes free shipping, and gives you more: wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, full Android 13 with YouTube/Netflix/Spotify, and a faster processor than most factory systems. Plus an HD screen vs. the smaller factory display.

Better transformation. A third of the price. And you keep access to the full Android app ecosystem, not just what Subaru approved.

Dealers charge $1,200-$2,500 for a head unit replacement. Usually the same factory software you already have.

Something goes wrong? "$1,900 for the part + $600 labor." Or they just won't help. Reddit's full of these stories.

Here's what happens with us:

• Issue with fit or install? We troubleshoot together and if we can't make it work, we issue a full refund + cover return shipping.
• Problem 18 months from now? Same lifetime support.
• Manufacturing defect? 2-year warranty. We replace, repair, or refund.

"When I had issues, they did not complain or tell me to go away. They were professional until all was resolved."
— David S., Subaru Legacy owner

No. Both wireless CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are built in.

Your phone connects automatically when you start the car. No cables. No waiting. Google Maps or Apple Maps fills the screen in seconds.

If you prefer wired connection, that works too.

Anything from the Google Play Store.

The unit runs full Android with Google Play built in. Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Waze, WhatsApp, Zoom, games. If it's on the Play Store, you can install it.

Popular with customers: YouTube and Netflix for passengers, Spotify for music, Waze or Google Maps for navigation.

2 seconds.

Turn your Outback on, and the screen is ready before you've put it in gear. No waiting. The Qualcomm processor handles cold boots faster than most factory systems.

Everything you need is included:
- The unit
- Vehicle-specific harness for your exact Subaru Outback trim
- GPS antenna
- 4G antenna x2
- USB cable x2
- External microphone
- Step-by-step installation manual

No extra adapters. No hidden costs. The harness preserves your steering wheel controls and backup camera without additional purchases.

Yes. Our head unit adds wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto to your Subaru Outback, regardless of trim level. Just select your year above to confirm compatibility.

The touchscreen replaces your factory unit completely. Installation is easy and everything plugs into your factory connectors without wire cutting. Steering wheel controls stay functional.

Most customers complete installation in about 90 minutes.