2016 -> 2020 CX-9 Retrofit

[shawnee]

Hey everyone,

I have a 2016 GT with the 8.0-inch infotainment system and was wondering if it’s possible to upgrade or retrofit it to the 9.0-inch or even the 10.25-inch version. If so, would the upgrade require replacing the entire radio unit, or could I simply swap out the dashboard trim?

Also, I’m interested in upgrading the analog speedometer to the newer digital cluster. Is that a straightforward plug-and-play upgrade, or would additional modifications be needed?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Shawnee

 

[youri]

If you stay with the same infotainment versions I dont know if anyone has done it with the CX-9, but on the Miata it has been done to install the version with wireless apple carplay.

ND Club 2021 Wireless Carplay Conversion - Page 4 - MX-5 Miata Forum

Page 4- ND Club 2021 Wireless Carplay Conversion ND Infotainment and Electronics

forum.miata.net

The Canadian 2021 is the only CX-9 that came with the 9 inch and wireless carplay (but not the 2021.5 which received the US 2021 upgraded infotainment larger screen)

Honestly though, when i was shopping around to replace my 2018 CX-9 GT i sat in a 2020 and didn’t like the 9 inch screen. It is bigger but it is square instead of rectangular, which didn’t really fit well with the rest of the design in my opinion. I recommend you go sit in one to see if you like it or not.

For the dashboard i really don’t know. There were internal protocols changes made over the years on the CX-9 and it is possible that the 2020 dashboard and infotainment may not work across the model years.

 

[AlisterK]

You can install the 9.0 screen and it will work perfectly. I replaced my 8" screen with the 9" and love it. No mods required.

No idea what yourI is on about as the 9 inch screen definitely isn't square...

I have a 2018 CX9 Azami (Australian model).

 

[youri]

Squarer i guess. It seems like the base is the same width and the extra screen space is on the top.

But if you like it, definitely go for it.

 

[shawnee]

You can install the 9.0 screen and it will work perfectly. I replaced my 8" screen with the 9" and love it. No mods required.

No idea what yourI is on about as the 9 inch screen definitely isn't square...

I have a 2018 CX9 Azami (Australian model).

Did you just pop out the 8.0 inch screen and then insert the 9.0 inch screen?

 

[AlisterK]

Did you just pop out the 8.0 inch screen and then insert the 9.0 inch screen?

Yes. Just a side note, the plastic base of the 8" screen won't fit the 9" screen without some minor modification. Since the 9" screen I bought came with the plastic base (which you'd expect as it's screwed on), I didn't have to do this.

I've also considered the 10.25" inch swap but you'd need the CMU as well to make it work. I nearly bought it to try it out but wasn't convinced it would work properly and 12.3" aftermarket screens that work with the stock Mazda system had just been released.

 

[Candurin]

Yes. Just a side note, the plastic base of the 8" screen won't fit the 9" screen without some minor modification. Since the 9" screen I bought came with the plastic base (which you'd expect as it's screwed on), I didn't have to do this.

I've also considered the 10.25" inch swap but you'd need the CMU as well to make it work. I nearly bought it to try it out but wasn't convinced it would work properly and 12.3" aftermarket screens that work with the stock Mazda system had just been released.

Which 12.3” screens? Curious more than anything.