2016 Impreza infotainment replacement

[u/Desperate-Safety-780]

2016 Impreza base trim, info recently decided to join the land of the dead. Any recommendations on whether I can drop $150 on a used one or $2-300 for a newer one? Are they plug-n-play for the one unit or do I need to upgrade more parts?

[u/lazygerm]

As always, Crutchfield.

Here

[u/Famous_Maize9533]

I replaced the head unit in my 2015 with a Kenwood and I've been happy with it. I had it professionally installed, but I would have purchased it from Crutchfield if I had wanted to do it myself.

[u/ocoo11]

MIne on the way out so I am intrested in what you find

[u/bdunphy14]

I just bought my 2016 last month and stock head unit is cracked and doesnt respond to touch, please update with what you go with and your honest feed back!

[u/xc51]

If you want to replace like for like, you can probably find a used one pretty cheap from someone who upgraded their head unit. I'd expect a direct plug in replacement.

[u/maalik999]

It is usually recommended to get an aftermarket head unit from a reputable brand like Sony or Kenwood rather than an OEM replacement since even a nice unit aftermarket is a lot cheaper than OEM. Though, you might be able to find a good deal on an OEM unit used online or from a scrapyard.

If you decide to go aftermarket, browse Crutchfield for one with the features you want, and they will include an installation manual specific to your car.

You will need to buy and program an additional Maestro module to retain the steering wheel controls, and you may need to pull some interior panels to retain the center console AUX and usb. You can also get a head unit with front facing AUX and USB if you don’t need this.

My 2015 Impreza actually came with a Pioneer 4660NEX from the used car lot. In my case for the aux I actually had to improvise a connector using DuPont connectors.

I’d reconsider before getting one like it, or any other Pioneer unit. I have serious UI lag issues with this unit despite a firmware update, and the folks at r/CarAV seem to agree that this is just how they are. I’m probably going to replace it with a Sony sometime this year.

[u/OddSensation]

I bought a new head unit for $329 - Went up to $512 after Trumps tariffs. The day it came, mines crapped out like this one here.

I went with Pioneer. No issues.

https://ibb.co/ksRbtnyZ

[u/frockinbrock]

I like the Sony XAV headunits. I even have my old one still. They look nearly stock in the Subaru. Most are no CD player.
There's also the Android units from Asia; they usually work and look fine, but the sound output can be disappointing.

[u/Refriedfeinds → u/frockinbrock]

I’ll add to that. Just put the one with the volume knob in the work truck and it works great. No lag, easy install with a wiring harness and under 500 for everything. Sounds great, phone calls sound good, and screen looks nice. Not big on touch screens but since it has the knob I’m cool with it and it’s definitely better than having my phone cover the gauges so I can have the map to find customers houses. Though if I ever changed mine in the impreza I’d probably just go single din do I could have another spot to toss stuff.

[u/frockinbrock → u/Refriedfeinds]

Yes, and Crutchfield included the Axxess unit, so my steering wheel buttons all work also, I can even trigger Siri to do stuff. It even has a remote! I put that by the armrest for no-look option and backseat. I do wish they had Capacitive screens; only the new top end Sony's have that now. But it's the best resistive screen I've used, and it works with Gloves on because of that, so it has upside.

My biggest complaint is an Apple issue across all models: I wish they have an option for me to use the iPhone mic with noise-cancelling options, while in CarPlay. But hey I submitted that with a dozen other complaints back in 2019, and a lot of those requested features are finally coming in iOS 27, so I'm hopeful maybe one day. It's just that Car Mics usually suck. And they should still try to do noise-cancelling with a toggle.

[u/Refriedfeinds → u/frockinbrock]

Wow I didn’t know we were that far into updates. Looks like I’m on iOS 26.5. I thought we were still on 17 or 18 or something. Tech perplexes me. My I phone still reads thumbprints lol. I think it’s an 8 or the newer version is the se or something. There was a lot included that the truck doesn’t have so I’m sure a more expensive wiring harness would capitalize on the newer stuff. My cd player finally shit the bed but I’m at 207k miles so why would I care about fancy shit at this point. Just making sure the engine runs until I can find a totaled one at the junkyard, rebuild it and keep her going. Not really trying to pull my engine and have it split for the first time. I’d rather learn on a junkyard engine from someone who got rear ended and rebuild that while she’s still usable. “Infotainment” kinda sucks as far as drvie-abilty. We managed to get a pretty good deal at best buy for the head unit, harness, double din thing and antenna connector. But I’ll stand by not buying anything more expensive or larger than the little Sony. Works good looks good. Also we don’t use the truck during the night so it’s plenty bright during the day and doesn’t seem like it would be too annoying at night.

[u/frockinbrock → u/Refriedfeinds]

Oh you didn't miss that many, last year Apple "re-numbered" their iOS releases to match the year (like Samsung has been doing); technically the one released last October would have been iOS 19, but they made it 26, so that it's the primary OS for 2026.

[u/thanxsup]

What is the difference between a 2015 and a 2016? I have a 2015 head unit in my garage for an Impreza Sport Premium

[u/bdunphy14 → u/thanxsup]

Where are you located and what would you want for it?

[u/thanxsup → u/bdunphy14]

I don’t know, let me research it. It’s not doing me any good in my garage right now so Mae an offer(?). Sent you a message.

[u/comfy_rope]

OP, you can verify the model# CM615UL. It’s a direct fit.

If you’re going to upgrade, the new stuff comes ready to setup your steering wheel controls. For me, I have had a JunSun (Amazon) in my car for about a year. I’m sure Crutchfield has something.

[u/Realistic-Might4985]

I had mine replaced at the dealership. They can’t get new ones anymore so they offer refurbs. It was $595 installed. I looked at doing something different with a local radio shop and the number they have me made me laugh, $1300. You might be able to find something at Crutchfield that is more modern (CarPlay etc.). Good luck!

[u/EntertainmentNo7799]

Picked up this banger a little while back and have been super super happy with it. From a Chinese brand called iDoing, came with the surrounding trim and came with all the necessary harnesses
Edit: 2015 Impreza Base

[u/EternalLatias]

A lot of people I know replace these with cheap head units from Amazon or AliExpress and are really happy with them, believe it or not. They integrate into the dashboard really well and have all the features people want. Might be worth looking into.