Why the head unit matters
You're going to spend a lot of time in the cab. Long motorway runs, slow A-roads through the Highlands, crawling through French towns looking for the campsite entrance. A decent head unit with wireless CarPlay or Android Auto means your phone's navigation, music, and podcasts are on a proper screen without cables. And if you've fitted a reversing camera, the head unit is where you'll see it.
There are a few good options for T5 and T6 owners. A standard replacement screen slots into the factory stereo opening - straightforward on a T6 and the most common upgrade. A floating-screen unit uses a smaller chassis behind the dash with a larger screen that sits above it - often the better choice for T5.1 where the factory opening is narrower. Or there's a premium unit with built-in navigation for those who want offline maps in areas with no phone signal.
What to look for
The non-negotiables are CarPlay or Android Auto (wired is fine but wireless is noticeably better day-to-day), DAB+, and a touchscreen. Beyond that, you want a unit that retains your steering wheel controls if you have them - most aftermarket units do this with a £30-50 adapter. If you have factory parking sensors, check that the unit supports the display input before you buy.
The Kenwood DMX8021DABS is the most recommended unit on the T6 Forum by a clear margin. It does everything well, the screen is responsive, and fitting kits are widely available. If you need a floating-screen unit (common on T5.1), the Pioneer SPH-EVO93DAB has a 9" screen that sits above the dash - larger than a standard replacement and it fits where a full-size unit physically can't.
For wild campers who regularly lose phone signal, the Kenwood DNX9190DABS has built-in Garmin navigation with offline maps. It's the most expensive option but genuinely useful if you're navigating to a remote loch in Scotland with no data coverage.
Prices shown as a guide - they can change at any time.
Always check compatibility with your specific vehicle before buying. Fitting kits, wiring harnesses, and steering wheel adapters vary by year and model. If in doubt, check with a specialist like dream-ice.co.uk or InCarTec for T5/T6 bundles.
Van life entertainment
A portable projector is genuinely one of the best van accessories nobody tells you about. Point it at the side of the van, a white sheet, or the inside of a pop-top roof panel - you've got a cinema anywhere. They run off USB-C power banks, so there's no drain on the leisure battery, and modern ones have Netflix and Prime built in.
There are two worth considering. The Nebula Capsule 3 is the size of a drinks can, weighs 900g, and runs Google TV. At 200 lumens it's fine for evening and dark conditions but won't work in daylight. The BenQ GS50 is bigger and heavier (3.6kg) but significantly brighter at 500 lumens, splash-proof, and has a built-in battery. If picture quality matters more than portability, the BenQ is the better buy.