JVC

JVC KW-V960BW Wireless CarPlay Android Auto Car Stereo

4.4 (16 reviews)
178 x 100

Cut the cord to your phone for good — wireless CarPlay and Android Auto on a 6.8-inch touchscreen that transforms your factory dash into a proper connected cockpit.

$949.00*
In Stock on Amazon.com
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The JVC KW-V960BW solves the core frustration of modern car audio: the factory head unit is too dumb for your phone, and plugging in a cable every time you get in the car is a friction point that compounds over thousands of drives. This double-DIN receiver enables fully wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — your phone's interface, navigation (including Waze), music apps, and hands-free calling appear on the 6.8-inch touchscreen the moment you get in the car. The unit is also Wi-Fi certified to support the wireless connectivity standard CarPlay and Android Auto require. Beyond smartphone integration, it plays CDs, DVDs, and USB media, and outputs audio through a 6-channel preamp at 5 volts — a spec that matters significantly if you are running an external amplifier, as higher preamp voltage delivers a cleaner signal with less noise at the amp input.

For the audiophile who wants to tune their car audio properly, the 13-band equalizer with digital time alignment is a serious tool — time alignment compensates for the physical distance differences between speakers and your ears, which most budget head units simply cannot do. The four camera inputs make this unit a natural hub for vehicles being upgraded with a multi-camera safety setup. Installation requires a standard double-DIN dash kit and wiring harness specific to your vehicle (not included), and the parking brake wire connection is mandatory for full functionality — a common point of friction during DIY installation. For anyone building out a clean, modern in-dash system with wireless connectivity, premium audio output, and multi-camera support, this unit covers a lot of ground in one package.

Key Features

GENERAL FEATURES: 6.8" resistive touchscreen display, Wi-Fi certified, Waze-ready with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, customizable display background, live wallpaper, and digital angle adjustment for better in-dash visibility, fits double-DIN dash openings

BLUETOOTH and SMARTPHONE FEATURES: Compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (wireless or wired), hands-free calling and audio streaming with dual phone connection, JVC Streaming DJ feature allows music streaming and control from up to five paired smartphones

AUDIO/VIDEO FEATURES: Plays CDs, DVDs, and USB memory devices, 13-band equalizer with digital time alignment, K2 technology improves the digital sound for all music sources, subwoofer level, phase, and low-pass crossover controls

EXPANDIBILITY: Compatible with SiriusXM satellite radio tuner - INPUTS: rear USB input, rear A/V input (mini), rear HDMI input, four camera inputs - OUTPUTS: rear A/V output (mini), 6-channel preamp outputs (5-volt front, rear, subwoofer)

ADDITIONAL: Works with iDataLink Maestro module, wired connection to parking brake required to access settings and other features on this receiver (the brake must be connected and set for video display) - INSTALLATION SIZE (WxHxD): 7" x 3-15/16" x 6-2/16" (178 x 100 x 155 mm)

Specifications

Display
6.8-inch Resistive Touchscreen
Installation Size
Double-DIN (178 x 100 x 155 mm)
CarPlay / Android Auto
Wireless or Wired
Equalizer
13-Band with Digital Time Alignment
Preamp Outputs
6-Channel, 5V (Front, Rear, Subwoofer)
Camera Inputs
4
Inputs
Rear USB, Rear A/V (Mini), Rear HDMI
Outputs
Rear A/V (Mini)
Bluetooth
Dual Phone Connection, Hands-Free, Audio Streaming
Satellite Radio
SiriusXM Compatible (Tuner Sold Separately)
Media Playback
CD, DVD, USB
Model
KW-V960BW

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto eliminate cable clutter entirely — your phone charges on a pad while the screen mirrors navigation, Spotify, and calls without ever plugging in.
  • Four camera inputs allow simultaneous connection of a rear backup camera, front camera, and two additional camera views — a genuinely rare feature at this price tier that supports comprehensive vehicle awareness.
  • The 13-band equalizer with digital time alignment provides tuning precision that approaches dedicated head units costing significantly more, enabling proper stage imaging in well-built car audio setups.
  • The 6-channel preamp output at 5 volts front/rear/sub provides a clean, high-voltage signal to external amplifiers, reducing noise floor and giving an aftermarket amp setup the headroom to perform cleanly.
  • JVC Streaming DJ lets up to five paired phones share music control — a practical feature for carpooling, rideshares, or family road trips where everyone wants a turn on the aux.

👎 Cons

  • The 6.8-inch resistive touchscreen requires deliberate, firm presses compared to the capacitive glass on competing units — a noticeable regression from the smartphone interaction model, particularly for small touch targets in CarPlay.
  • The parking brake wire must be physically connected and engaged to unlock settings and video playback — vehicles with an electronic parking brake may require an aftermarket brake bypass module (sold separately) for full functionality.
  • SiriusXM satellite radio requires a separately purchased tuner module — the receiver is compatible but the hardware to receive satellite is not included.
  • iDataLink Maestro integration for retaining factory features (steering wheel controls, backup camera triggers, climate display) requires purchasing the Maestro module separately, adding to the total installation cost.
  • The installation depth of 155mm (6-2/16") is on the longer end and may require clearance checks in vehicles with shallow dash cavities or HVAC ducting directly behind the head unit location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are fully supported and work without a cable for most users on compatible iPhones (iPhone XR or newer running iOS 14+) and Android phones with Android 11+ and wireless Android Auto support. The wired option remains available as a backup, which is worth keeping in mind for older phones or situations where wireless performance drops on a poor Bluetooth/Wi-Fi day.
The KW-V960BW fits standard double-DIN dash openings (7" W × 3-15/16" H), which covers the vast majority of vehicles manufactured in the last 25 years. You will still need a vehicle-specific installation kit (dash kit and harness adapter) to properly mount and connect the unit to your car's wiring — those are sold separately.
JVC requires a physical connection to the parking brake wire for the unit to enable video playback on the screen and access to certain settings menus. When the brake is not set, video display and some setup screens are locked out — this is a legal safety measure. CarPlay and Android Auto navigation, audio playback, and hands-free calling function normally while driving.
Yes. The KW-V960BW includes four camera inputs, allowing you to connect a rear backup camera, front camera, and up to two additional cameras simultaneously — useful for side mirror cameras or a dashcam. You can configure which input triggers automatically (e.g., reverse gear) via the unit's settings.
The 13-band EQ gives you granular control across the frequency spectrum — meaningfully more precise than the 3- or 5-band EQ found on cheaper units. K2 technology applies DSP processing to reconstruct high-frequency content that gets lost in compressed digital audio (MP3, streaming), which most listeners notice as a subtle improvement in warmth and detail. Results vary with source quality and speaker setup, but it is a genuine feature, not marketing language.