Has anyone replaced the factory radio with a nav or backup camera screen on a Mazda5? What I really want is a backup camera (nav would be a bonus); I thought the easiest way was an in-dash unit but I keep seeing things about install problems. Car stereo shops in my area are disappearing. Any advice?

 

I installed one of the pioneer touchscreen units in my 2nd gen 5 several years ago, also one in my sister’s 1st gen. It’s media unit only, no CD/DVD drive, so outside of the radio it depends on either a USB stick, or a smart phone to provide any media. Install was pretty straight forward if you’ve ever done an install. The stereo on the 2nd gen is easier to replace than the 1st gen..... 1st gen you have to remove the center console in order to remove the center stack, and the entire trim around the stereo/HVAC controls is replaced. On the 2nd gen you can remove the upper dash panel, then the stereo, so if that’s all you’re doing then you can access everything from there without removing anything else. With either generation you’d still need to build up the harness to go with whatever stereo you buy.

I just recently went back and installed a backup camera in my 2nd gen. Lots more panel removal and wire running.