Kenwood excelon vs pioneer avic

What’s up Guys

I’m here today for some recommendations on a new touch screen navigation head unit for My 2007 GMC Yukon XL 2500. It has the Bose stereo but no factory Nav.

My requirements are :

Wireless Apple CarPlay
Navigation (built in )
Factory Rear entertainment DVD compatibility
Rear view camera
Capacitive Touchscreen Display

Now I’ve called around to several local installers. With equal numbers telling me either kenwood excelon or pioneer avic

I already have a kenwood DNX694S in the 04 Yukon and have had no issues.

What company makes the better product here. Or is it just a personal preference situation. Either way I’d appreciate some feedback.

What’s your guys thoughts on this ?


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I stick to Pioneer since they're a known quality product and I find their layout of features and controls most intuitive. You may feel more comfortable with the Kenwood since you're already familiar with them. I haven't messed with Kenwood in years, but that would likely be my second choice just by what I know of their reputation unless it's like me trying to figure out an Android device. If they both do what you want and neither has any glaring shortcomings over the other, then you may just have to go play with both on a store display. They may not have the exact model you're interested in, but if you find something of the same series, you should get a solid idea.

I like my DMX4707s but it doesn't have the wireless car play. Both brands are likely to b have a unit that will do what you need, it's a matter of preference.

Personally I think the kenwoods have a better sound and are much more tunable

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I have the Kenwood DNX575S in my Burb and am well pleased with it. It has more features than I need or use but not wireless CarPlay. It does have wired CarPlay and Android Auto of which I use neither.

I haven't had an AVIC since my 1st Gen Esky with the N3 flip out... lol

Whatever you decide make sure you get a Maestro RR to keep everything compatible with the new HU.

After the stock speakers in my 2001 Yukon finally deteriorated I replaced them with the Kenwood Excelon speakers. No regrets.

iamdub said:

I stick to Pioneer since they're a known quality product and I find their layout of features and controls most intuitive. You may feel more comfortable with the Kenwood since you're already familiar with them. I haven't messed with Kenwood in years, but that would likely be my second choice just by what I know of their reputation unless it's like me trying to figure out an Android device. If they both do what you want and neither has any glaring shortcomings over the other, then you may just have to go play with both on a store display. They may not have the exact model you're interested in, but if you find something of the same series, you should get a solid idea.

Click to expand...

I’ve heard that the pioneers layout is more intuitive. To be honest I have no issue with my kenwood in the other truck at all. And thought I was going to buy a kenwood for the 07 until I started calling around today. Now I’m not sure.


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kbuskill said:

I have the Kenwood DNX575S in my Burb and am well pleased with it. It has more features than I need or use but not wireless CarPlay. It does have wired CarPlay and Android Auto of which I use neither.

I haven't had an AVIC since my 1st Gen Esky with the N3 flip out... lol

Whatever you decide make sure you get a Maestro RR to keep everything compatible with the new HU.

Click to expand...

I’m definitely getting the Maestro RR. That’s the one part of the equation that there is no question on. Keeping all the available features while using the new HU is the whole point for Me. I like being able to raise volume / change the song etc from the steering wheel.


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chaingun427 said:

I like my DMX4707s but it doesn't have the wireless car play. Both brands are likely to b have a unit that will do what you need, it's a matter of preference.

Personally I think the kenwoods have a better sound and are much more tunable

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Click to expand...

Yea from the models I’m looking at I think it’s more personal preference than anything else. I’m sure certain installers get better prices from certain companies. And that’s probably where the “push” in either direction mainly comes from.


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I just went through this decision this last week as I’ve been wanting to replace my current setup. I have a clarion NX405 in my 2006, and it’s clearly showing its age. The Bluetooth mic works pretty crappy now and it only allows one side a pillar speaker to function when I’m on the phone instead of both. So it’s hard to talk on the phone. and the touch screen lags big time, which it’s done since I got it new and had it installed. it’s most noticeable in the nav feature. Takes me forever to type in an address.
just picked up the latest or closest to the latest that I could find, AVIC pioneer unit. I think it’s the 8500NEX. It had everything I want plus a few extra features that I’m kinda stoked on. Two camera inputs, and a camera already included, so I can leave my current backup cam installed and leave it as the backup cam, and put the new cam in as a front facing camera. That will be pretty bitchin. I wanted a better navigation unit than what I have, no touch screen lag, like current clarion unit has, and wireless Apple car play. It has all those features, plus all the reviews i read on it indicated excellent touch screen performance. I had a pioneer nav unit in the 2001 Dodge Durango I had before my Yukon Denali, and the pioneer nav unit never disappointed. It was an awesome unit. I should have kept it. Lol. But anyways that’s why I chose to go with another pioneer unit over the kenwood excelon units. The kenwoods did look nice but for what I was looking to spend I got a few more features in the pioneer that the kenwood units weren’t offering. To get wireless Apple CarPlay was a big price jump to the more expensive excelon units.

What’s the options for a good “factory look” mounted back up camera ?


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