Pioneer AVH-1400NEX Review in 2024 – Does it Beat Stock?

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Gave life to an older car still in good condition…

Let’s face it buying the new car for some technology is out of the grasp of most. Even if you can afford a brand new car, there are no guarantees. You see, the manufacturers have a priority list, and the stereo is at the bottom.

What if I tell you that with the right car stereo you can upgrade your older car? What if you could have all the bells and whistles without monthly installments?

This is why I’ve written the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX review. My goal is to tell you everything there’s to know about this car stereo. There are good and bad parts, and I won’t skip either of them.

I feel that’s my civic duty to inform you about the drawbacks. As you know, all the car stereos have it. There’s no such thing as the perfect one.

Here’s a quick preview of the head unit. Do you have an iPhone? Then this double DIN digital media receiver will work perfectly. If you happen to have an Android, then you might want to give it a pass.

With iPhones, you get hands-free control. Siri Eyes Free works great; she can be your ride along with an assistant. Google and Apple maps work perfectly, so does Waze. This double din car stereo beats stocks every day.

Let’s get this Pioneer AVH-1400NEX review started.

Here’s the bird’s eye view for this in-dash receiver.

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Who is the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX for?

With the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX car stereo, you are getting a lot of bang for the buck.

For iPhone users, it’s great, so they can utilize Siri while driving.

Plus, this head unit delivers on multiple fronts. If you want a big selection of music sources, you have it. You can listen to Podcasts and Audiobooks besides the usual AM/FM radio (radio ready) and CDs.

We shouldn’t forget about the safety features either. It has a video input so you can mount a backup camera.

In these modern times, I feel that built-in Bluetooth is absolutely essential if you’re driving. By keeping your eyes on the road and not on the phone, you will arrive safe and sound.

What can the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX do for you?

The Pioneer AVH-1400NEX car stereo comes bearing many features.

Let’s talk about the display first. Many customers reported that it’s better than an iPhone 8s. With the adjustable light and dimming, you can clearly see it in the daylight.

The touch screen size is 6.2” wide. Finally, I’ve got a responsive touch screen. The tech behind it is capacitive. No more poking for seconds waiting to get a response.

As you have read earlier, there’s the standard music selection. You can choose from CD/DVD input or standard AM/FM radio. Sadly it doesn’t have HD radio. It has a USB port that allows you to do a USB connection to an iPod or a flash drive. The USB input is rear input this means you have to run an extension USB cable to get access to it.

That’s not all the head unit itself has apps that allow you to listen to podcasts and audiobooks.

One of the features which I love is the ability to connect a TV screen to it. This means the kids in the back will be occupied, and I can enjoy a relaxing drive.

The sound quality is great. Beats stock radios hands down.

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Pioneer AVH-1400NEX shortcomings

As I hinted, in the beginning, the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX car stereo has flaws. By knowing them upfront, you can make an educated decision if this is for you. Let’s get to it.

Apple CarPlay works with a minor hiccup. You need to plug your phone to get access to Siri. For some, this is way too much of a hassle. I like it because I know that my phone will be charged when I get out.

There’s no way around that annoying legal prompt. Those messages pop up whenever you start your car. Ok, it’s a nuisance to see it, and you have to wait a few seconds. Since you can’t cancel it out, you might find yourself in a pickle.

You see, the music starts before the notice disappears. So if you happen to leave the car on a higher volume, you can’t do anything until it’s gone.

This problem will affect only a few people still here it goes. Nav guidance voice is coming from the front speakers only. Now, if you’re like me and love to feel the breeze, you might not hear the queues.

It’s not compatible with Android phones. Well, you have the basic built-in Bluetooth features, but that’s about it. No Google Assistant or apps. This is not Pioneer’s fault because Google moves as fast as an iceberg.

Last but not least, I want to talk about the buttons on this head unit. They feel cheap plastic. They are small, so you need a lot of practice. Plus, I miss that click sound what normal buttons do.

Well, that’s about it. I’ve covered every flaw that I could find.

Other Pioneer product reviewed: Pioneer DMH-1500NEX Review – Is it for you?

How To Get The Most Out Of Pioneer AVH-1400NEX?

Absolute disclaimer: I love car stereos, but I don’t understand the wiring. This is why I always suggest pro installs. It’s a time saver.

You also might want to consider two more items. The first one is the iDatalink Maestro. This device lets you keep your steering wheel controls. Without it, you will be searching for those tiny buttons. That’s not exactly hands-free. The iDatalink Maestro is not included in the package and it’s sold separately.

Not only that, you can get access to some vehicle diagnostics.  I always check the tire pressure, voltage, and the gages before I hit the road.

The second add-on, which is a good idea to have, is the parking brake bypass. The law forbids you to watch movies while you’re driving. Fair enough. But Pioneer locked many settings up.

For example, you can’t change the EQ settings until you pull over. It’s an inexpensive device. I highly recommend it.

Don’t forget that you can personalize your Pioneer AVH-1400NEX head unit.  The more it blends, the better it looks.

Pioneer AVH-1400NEX Review Conclusion

The Pioneer AVH-1400NEX car stereo has some great features. It’s geared toward iPhone users. Android owners can use it as well, but they don’t get access to certain functions and apps like Android Auto.

All in all, it’s a good double DIN digital media receiver to have. The sound quality for audio streaming, video playback, audio playback is excellent. The screen is fast and easy to use. With the built-in Bluetooth, you can drive safely. Plus, adding a backup camera will make you park easier.

We have reached the end of the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX review. By now, it should be clear if this car stereo is the right fit for you.

If you have ideas and tips, do reach out. I read every email and respond when I have the time.

Catch you next time.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What can the iDatalink Maestro do for the Pioneer double DIN digital media receiver?

If you connect the iDatalink Maestro to the Pioneer double DIN digital media receiver you will get back your steering wheel controls. Not only that but you can get vehicle information as well. For example the DVD receiver will display the tire pressure, temperatures, gauges voltages etc. This is why it’s a good idea to get an iDatalink Maestro installed. This device doesn’t come included in the package and it’s sold separately.

Can I use Appradio mode with my phone?

Appradio mode is extremely buggy so no matter what phone you will use it will let you down. I understand Pioneer wants to control everything but AppRadio mode is a disaster. If you want flawless audio streaming, video playback, audio playback you just stay away from Appradio mode and pick something else.

Does this Pioneer Double DIN satellite radio come with a camera input?

Yes this Pioneer satellite radio comes with a camera input. You can mount a backup camera tough it’s sold separately.

What kind of audio options can I expect from this satellite radio?

With this double DIN satellite radio you can expect the following options. It plays the usual file formats like MP3 WMA. Plus you can do hands-free calling thanks to Apple Carplay and the built-in Bluetooth. Since it has Apple Carplay it’s compatible iPod iPhone devices. You can do audio streaming from your favorite apps like Spotify and Pandora. With the help of Siri you can make hands-free calls. Siri also recognizes iPod iPhone devices.

Does this Pioneer multimedia receiver have satellite radio?

Yes this multimedia receiver is SiriusXM ready. Connect your Android smartphone and you’re ready to go.

Is the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX a good alternative for the Pioneer AVH-1400NEX?

Yes, you can find out more after reading the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX review.

Can I do wireless audio streaming with this multimedia receiver?

Yes with the built-in Bluetooth you can wireless audio streaming and that’s not all. You can make phone calls and use voice controls over apps.

What about steering wheel control?

When you connect to any new car stereo you will lose the steering wheel control. To gain it back you need something like the iDatalink Maestro.

Last Updated on November 2, 2023 by Brian Beasley