The Top Five Best Car Stereos: The reviews

Need a new stereos in your car? Can't connect your iPod to hear your favorite tunes or podcasts? We can help you right here. We've got five of the best car stereos here, with great capsule reviews and specs. You can thank us later.

Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT

The good: The Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT has a strong core feature set that includes GPS navigation, multimedia and DVD playback, and Bluetooth hands-free calling. However, it's the secondary features such as auto importing of contacts, voice control of most major functions, and MSN Direct upgradability that make the Z110BT stand above the competition.

The bad: Voice tag indexing of iPod/iPhone data can be time consuming. iPod video and MSN Direct data services require additional equipment.

The bottom line: The Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT not only brings a robust set of features into the car in a single box, but it also provides a variety of quick and safe ways to access those features.

Alpine iDA-X305

The good: The Alpine iDA-X305's two-way encoder control scheme and QuickSearch function makes it possible to scrub through large libraries in seconds. Add-on modules allow the feature set to be extended.

The bad: The lack of a CD player may be a turn off for many people.

The bottom line: For people who listen primarily to MP3/WMA/AAC audio, the Alpine iDA-X305 offers one of the easiest-to-use interfaces for in-car browsing of digital media.

El Kameleon JVC EXAD KD-AVX77 media player

The good: The JVC KD-AVX77 El Kameleon features a customizable interface and a responsive touch screen. iPod and USB browsing is quick and easy to understand. Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming increase driver safety and add an additional audio source. A plethora of AV inputs and outputs provide many expandability options.

The bad: The superwide touch screen is too small for DVD playback and its awkward aspect ratio means that most films will be cropped, stretched, or shrunken. Gesture controls are inconsistent.

The bottom line: The JVC KD-AVX77 El Kameleon is a great receiver for system builders, but the touch-screen interface isn't as easy to use as some of the competition's physical control schemes.

Sony XPLOD CDX-GT920U (in-dash car stereo)

The good: The Sony Xplod CDX-GT920U has a front aux input, a rear USB input, three preamp outputs, and the ability to add HD or Satellite radio control modules, which gives you lots of options for expanding the head unit's functionality. The interface and menu structure make finding songs a snap.

The bad: Although there is a USB input, the CDX-GT920U doesn't natively support the Apple iPod.

The bottom line: The Sony Xplod CDX-GT920U offers many options for connecting to your digital music library and supports the most commonly used formats, unless your music library is on your iPod.

Eclipse AVN726E DVD/GPS receiver

The good: The Eclipse AVN726e features beautifully rendered maps with elevation data and 3D buildings. The color touch screen is remarkably bright and saturated. The unit has a fantastic list of standard features, including USB/iPod integration, Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, and DVD/DivX playback.

The bad: Displaying iPod video requires an add-on cable. Adding traffic data to the navigation requires a Sirius satellite radio module. Lack of detachable faceplate will be a security issue for some users.

The bottom line: The Eclipse AVN726e will cover most users' hands-free calling, navigation, audio, and visual needs in a single installation. It is also an excellent starting point for system builders.