Factory radio guide

Mercedes-Benz factory radios: which one do you have?

Each CarPlay and Android Auto kit for a Mercedes-Benz is made for one factory system, which Mercedes calls NTG, and the same model can have a different system depending on its year and options. The quickest way to tell is your model year plus three checks: the screen, the knob on the centre console and the card slot. If you're not sure, send us a photo of your dash and main menu screen and we'll confirm it for you.

  1. 2003-2008

    NTG1

    COMAND APS NTG1, the first COMAND APS generation (base cars of the time had an Audio 20 or Audio 50 radio)

    No plug-in kit

    How to tell

    • The screen and its buttons form one panel in the middle of the dash. There is no separate screen on top of the dash and no touchpad.
    • There is no SD card slot and no USB port in the dash.
    • Navigation maps come on a DVD that goes into a separate navigation unit elsewhere in the car, often in the trunk.
    • It plays CDs and MP3 discs, and the phone handles calls only, with no Bluetooth music streaming.

    Found in

    • E-Class 2003-2008 (W211)
    • CLS 2006-2008 (C219)
    • SLK 2005-2008 (R171)
    • SL 2005-2008 (R230)
    • S-Class 2004-2006 (W220)
    • CL 2004-2006 (C215)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG2.5, which replaced it around 2009 in the CLS, SL and SLK, has an SD card slot above the disc slot and keeps its maps on a built-in hard drive. A 2009 E-Class can have either system, so check for the SD slot.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    We don't have a plug-in CarPlay kit for this system. The usual route is replacing the factory radio with an aftermarket CarPlay radio and a fitting kit made for your car, so call us and we'll check what fits.

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  2. 2005-2009

    NTG2

    COMAND APS NTG2 (also called MCS II), with the Audio 20 radio of the same generation in cars without COMAND

    No plug-in kit

    How to tell

    • The colour screen is built into the radio in the centre stack. There is no separate screen on top of the dash and no control knob on the console.
    • A column of soft keys runs down both the left and right sides of the screen.
    • There is no SD card slot. The map disc goes in the same slot as your music CDs, so you can't play a CD while navigating unless the car has a CD changer.
    • It won't play MP3 discs.

    Found in

    • C-Class 2005-2007 (W203)
    • CLK 2005-2009 (W209)
    • ML 2006-2008 (W164)
    • GL 2007-2008 (X164)
    • R-Class 2006-2008 (W251)
    • G-Class 2007-2008 (W463)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG2.5, from about 2009 in the ML, GL, R and G, has no side soft keys, and the COMAND version has an SD card slot above the disc slot. Red and green phone keys don't tell them apart on North American cars, because NTG2 had them too.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    We don't have a plug-in CarPlay kit for this system. The usual upgrade is an aftermarket CarPlay radio with a dash kit and a steering wheel control adapter, so call us and we'll check what fits your car.

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  3. 2009-2012

    NTG2.5

    COMAND APS NTG2.5, with the Audio 20 of the same generation in cars without COMAND

    No plug-in kit

    How to tell

    • The colour screen is part of the radio in the centre stack, with buttons and a phone-style number keypad below it. There is no separate screen on top of the dash and no knob on the console.
    • There are no soft keys down the sides of the screen.
    • COMAND has an SD card slot just above the disc slot, with navigation and Bluetooth built in.
    • Audio 20 looks similar but has no navigation and no SD card slot.

    Found in

    • ML 2009-2011 (W164)
    • GL 2009-2012 (X164)
    • R-Class 2009-2012 (W251)
    • SL 2009-2012 (R230)
    • SLK 2009-2011 (R171)
    • CLS 2009-2011 (C219)
    • G-Class 2009-2012 (W463)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG2 in earlier cars of the same models has soft keys down both sides of the screen and no SD slot. The C-Class, GLK and E-Class of the same years have NTG4, with a separate screen on top of the dash and a knob on the console.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    We don't have a plug-in CarPlay kit for this system. Because the screen is part of the radio, the usual upgrade is an aftermarket CarPlay radio with a dash kit and a steering wheel control interface made for your model, so call us and we'll check what's available.

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  4. 2007-2009

    NTG3

    COMAND APS NTG3, the first COMAND of the W221 S-Class and C216 CL-Class

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • Only in the S-Class and CL. A large 8-inch widescreen sits high in the dash, right beside the instrument cluster.
    • A big metal control knob on the centre console, with shortcut buttons near it for radio, media, navigation, phone, seats and volume.
    • It isn't a touchscreen, and there is no touchpad.
    • The CD/DVD changer sits behind a panel below the climate controls, and the card slot takes older PC cards, not SD cards.

    Found in

    • S-Class 2007-2009 (W221)
    • CL-Class 2007-2009 (C216)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG3.5 in the 2010-2013 S-Class and 2010-2014 CL looks almost the same, so go by the model year. The two need different kits, and an NTG3 car can't be upgraded to NTG3.5.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    The ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG3-A adds wired and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, plus front and rear camera inputs. Your car needs a factory AUX input, so check that AUX shows up in your list of audio sources before you order.

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  5. 2010-2014

    NTG3.5

    COMAND APS NTG3.5, the updated COMAND of the facelifted S-Class and the CL-Class

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • The same layout as NTG3: an 8-inch widescreen high in the dash beside the gauges and a big metal knob on the console.
    • It came with the facelifted S-Class, sold from June 2009 as a 2010 model, so the model year is the easiest tell.
    • Cars with the SPLITVIEW option let the passenger watch video while the driver sees the map on the same screen.

    Found in

    • S-Class 2010-2013 (W221 facelift)
    • CL-Class 2010-2014 (C216)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG3 in the 2007-2009 S-Class and CL looks the same, so use the model year. The knob looks like the one in a C-Class or E-Class of the same years, but those cars have NTG4 or NTG4.5 and use different kits.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    The ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG35-A fits the 2010-2013 S-Class and CL, and your car needs a factory AUX input. For a 2014 CL, call us to confirm before you order.

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  6. 2008-2012

    NTG4 (C-Class / GLK)

    COMAND APS NTG4 in the C-Class and GLK, with the Audio 20 and Audio 50 of the same generation

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • C-Class: the screen sits in a panel on top of the dash that folds away. If your screen folds into the dash, it's NTG4.
    • GLK: the screen is fixed in the top of the dash.
    • A plain round knob on the centre console, with no touchpad.
    • Round radio buttons marked RADIO, DISC, NAVI and TEL, and a small C key for clearing.
    • A screen of about 5.8 inches means Audio 20, and a 7-inch screen means COMAND. COMAND has a PC card slot on the front, not an SD slot.

    Found in

    • C-Class 2008-2011 (W204)
    • GLK 2010-2012 (X204)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG4.5 in the 2012-2014 C-Class and 2013-2015 GLK has a fixed screen, flatter square keys with CLEAR spelled out, and an SD slot on COMAND cars. The E-Class NTG4 is a separate version with a fixed screen.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    The ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG4-A needs a screen of at least 5.8 inches, a factory AUX input and a COMAND knob that works properly, so check all three before you order. If AUX isn't in your list of audio sources, call us first. For the C-Class, the VINLAND VMBCC312C8 replaces the factory screen with a 12.3-inch CarPlay screen instead.

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  7. 2010-2011

    NTG4 (E-Class)

    COMAND APS NTG4 in the E-Class, with the Audio 20 of the same generation

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • A fixed screen set into the top centre of the dash that never folds away: 7-inch for COMAND, about 5.8-inch for Audio 20.
    • A plain round knob on the centre console, with no touchpad.
    • COMAND has a PC card slot, while the 2012-on version has an SD slot.
    • The dash looks the same on 2012-2013 cars, so the model year and the card slot are the best tells.

    Found in

    • E-Class sedan 2010-2011 (W212)
    • E-Class wagon 2011 (S212)
    • E-Class coupe and convertible 2010-2011 (C207/A207)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG4.5 in the 2012-2015 E-Class looks the same from the outside, but COMAND has an SD slot and the menus look different. The C-Class NTG4 is a separate version with a fold-away screen.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    The ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG4-A fits with the same rules as the C-Class: a screen of at least 5.8 inches, a factory AUX input and a working COMAND knob. We also carry the VINLAND VMBEC4L12C8, which replaces the factory screen with a 12.3-inch CarPlay screen.

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  8. 2011-2014

    NTG4 (SLS AMG)

    COMAND APS NTG4 as fitted to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • Only in the SLS AMG gullwing coupe and roadster.
    • A 7-inch COMAND screen in the middle of the dash, between the two centre air vents.
    • A COMAND control knob on the centre console.
    • A Black Series without COMAND has a carbon trim piece where the system would be.

    Found in

    • SLS AMG coupe 2011-2014 (C197)
    • SLS AMG Roadster 2012-2014 (R197)
    • SLS AMG GT 2013-2014
    • SLS AMG Black Series 2014

    Don't confuse it with

    The regular NTG4 in the C-Class, GLK and E-Class is the same generation, but the SLS needs its own kit, so don't order the ITZ-NTG4-A for it.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    The ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG4-SLS is made for this car, and it needs a factory AUX input. A Black Series without COMAND has no screen, so it can't take this kit.

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  9. 2012-2016

    NTG4.5 / 4.7

    COMAND Online NTG4.5 and its mid-2013 update NTG4.7, with the Audio 20 of the same generation

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • The screen is fixed and never folds away. It's set into the top of the dash on most models, and it's a free-standing, tablet-style screen on the CLA, GLA and B-Class.
    • A plain round knob on the centre console, with no touchpad on it.
    • Flat, square radio keys, with the word CLEAR spelled out.
    • A screen of about 5.8 inches with a wide black border means Audio 20. A sharper 7-inch screen and an SD card slot mean COMAND Online.
    • Earlier cars have brown and beige menus; later ones are grey with red.

    Found in

    • C-Class sedan 2012-2014 (W204 facelift)
    • C-Class coupe 2012-2015 (C204)
    • E-Class sedan and wagon 2012-2015 (W212/S212)
    • E-Class coupe and convertible 2012-2015 (C207/A207)
    • CLS 2012-2014 (C218)
    • GLK 2013-2015 (X204 facelift)
    • ML 2012-2015 (W166)
    • GL 2013-2016 (X166)
    • SLK 2012-2016 (R172)
    • SL 2013-2016 (R231)
    • G-Class 2013-2016 (W463)
    • CLA 2014-2015 (C117)
    • GLA 2015 (X156)
    • B-Class and B Electric Drive 2013-2015 (W246/W242)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG4 in the 2008-2011 C-Class has a fold-away screen, round keys and a PC card slot. NTG5, from about 2015-2016 in many of the same models, can keep the same buttons but has newer menus, often a larger screen and sometimes a touchpad on the knob, so compare the main menu if your car is from those years.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    Two plug-in kits fit this system, the ZZ-2 IT3-NTG45 and the GROM MB45VL2; send us a photo of your dash and we'll confirm which suits your car. NTG4.7 looks the same as NTG4.5 and uses the same kits. For the C-Class, 2014 E-Class, B-Class and GLA, we also carry VINLAND 12.3-inch screens that replace the factory screen.

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  10. 2014-2020

    NTG5 / 5.1 / 5.2

    COMAND Online NTG5 and its updates NTG5.1 and NTG5.2, with the Audio 20 of the same generation

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • Newer-design models (C-Class, GLC, S-Class, AMG GT): a free-standing screen on top of the dash (about 7 or 8.4 inches, 12.3 inches in the S-Class), no number keypad, and a touchpad on top of the console knob.
    • Older-design models (CLA, GLA, B-Class, GLE, GLS, CLS, SLC, SL): the dash buttons and keypad stay, but the menus are newer and the screen is often larger. On many, the DISC key now reads MEDIA.
    • The screen doesn't respond to touch, and the car doesn't answer to 'Hey Mercedes'.
    • Regular push buttons on the steering wheel, not swipe pads.

    Found in

    • C-Class sedan 2015-2018 (W205)
    • C-Class coupe and convertible 2017-2018 (C205/A205)
    • GLC 2016-2019 (X253)
    • GLC Coupe 2017-2019 (C253)
    • S-Class sedan 2014-2017 (W222)
    • S-Class coupe and convertible 2015-2017 (C217/A217)
    • Mercedes-Maybach S-Class 2016-2017
    • AMG GT 2016-2019 (C190/R190)
    • GLE 2016-2018 (W166)
    • GLE Coupe 2016-2019 (C292)
    • GLS 2017-2019 (X166)
    • CLA 2016-2019 (C117)
    • GLA 2016-2020 (X156)
    • B-Class 2016-2018 (W246)
    • CLS 2015-2018 (C218 facelift)
    • SLC 2017-2020 (R172)
    • SL 2017-2020 (R231 facelift)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG4.5 in change-over years (about 2015-2016 CLA, GLA, B-Class, E-Class, CLS and SL) has the same buttons but older-style menus and a 5.8 or 7-inch screen. NTG5.5 brings wider 10.25 to 12.3-inch screens and swipe pads on the steering wheel, and MBUX adds a touchscreen and 'Hey Mercedes'.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    Many cars from about 2016 on already have CarPlay and Android Auto from the factory, so check first by plugging your phone into the USB port; on those cars the ZZ-2 IT3-NTG5 mainly adds wireless use and camera inputs. For the C-Class, S-Class and SL, send us a photo of your dash so we can confirm the fit. On some cars, map directions and Siri or Google Assistant come through the factory USB port rather than Bluetooth.

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  11. 2017-2021

    NTG5.5

    COMAND Online NTG5.5, the widescreen COMAND that came before MBUX

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • Wide screens: most E-Class and S-Class cars have two 12.3-inch displays under one glass panel, base E-Class cars have an 8.4-inch centre screen, and the C-Class has a 10.25-inch free-standing screen.
    • The screen doesn't respond to touch. You use the console knob or touchpad and small swipe pads on the steering wheel spokes.
    • The car doesn't answer to 'Hey Mercedes'.
    • There is no number keypad on the dash.

    Found in

    • E-Class sedan and wagon 2017-2020 (W213/S213)
    • E-Class coupe and convertible 2018-2020 (C238/A238)
    • S-Class sedan 2018-2020 (W222 facelift)
    • S-Class coupe and convertible 2018-2020 (C217/A217 facelift)
    • C-Class sedan 2019-2021 (W205 facelift)
    • C-Class coupe and convertible 2019 on (C205/A205 facelift)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG5 in earlier cars has smaller screens (12.3 inches only in the S-Class) and ordinary steering wheel buttons. MBUX, in the 2021 E-Class and the 2020 GLC, GLE and GLS, has a touchscreen and answers to 'Hey Mercedes'.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    Many of these cars came with CarPlay and Android Auto from the factory, so check first by plugging your phone into the USB port. For the 2019-2021 C-Class, the ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG6 is the matching kit. For the E-Class and S-Class, call us and we'll check what works with your car.

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  12. 2019 on

    NTG6 (MBUX)

    MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), first generation, known internally as NTG6

    CarPlay kit available

    How to tell

    • The centre screen responds to touch.
    • Say 'Hey Mercedes' and the car answers.
    • There's no round knob on the console; many cars have a flat touchpad there instead.
    • Wide screens: on the A-Class, CLA and GLB, two screens of 7 or 10.25 inches sit side by side under one glass panel; the GLE, GLS and 2021 E-Class have 12.3-inch screens.
    • A colourful, tile-style home screen, with the MBUX name at start-up.

    Found in

    • A-Class 2019-2022 (W177/V177)
    • CLA 2020 on (C118)
    • GLB 2020 on (X247)
    • GLE 2020 on (W167)
    • GLE Coupe 2021 on (C167)
    • GLS 2020 on (X167)
    • GLC 2020-2022 (X253 facelift)
    • GLC Coupe 2020-2022 (C253 facelift)
    • E-Class 2021 on (W213 facelift, all body styles)
    • EQC 2020 on (N293)
    • Sprinter 2019 on (W907)

    Don't confuse it with

    NTG5.5 in the 2017-2020 E-Class, 2018-2020 S-Class and 2019-2021 C-Class has similar wide screens, but they don't respond to touch and there's no 'Hey Mercedes'. Second-generation MBUX (NTG7) has a large upright centre screen.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    Many MBUX cars already have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the factory, so check first. If yours doesn't, the ZZ-2 ITZ-NTG6 is listed for the A-Class, CLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, GLS and EQC. Call us before you order so we can confirm it suits your car and screen, or to ask about the E-Class and Sprinter.

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  13. 2021 on

    NTG7 (MBUX 2nd gen)

    Second-generation MBUX, known internally as NTG7

    CarPlay usually built in

    How to tell

    • A large upright touchscreen in the centre of the dash, taller than it is wide (up to about 12.8 inches in the S-Class).
    • Touch control and the 'Hey Mercedes' voice assistant, like first-generation MBUX.

    Found in

    • S-Class 2021 on (W223)
    • C-Class 2022 on (W206)
    • EQS 2022 on

    Don't confuse it with

    First-generation MBUX (NTG6) has landscape screens, wider than they are tall, side by side under one glass panel.

    CarPlay and Android Auto for this radio

    We don't have a CarPlay kit for this system. Check first whether your car already has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its phone menu, and call us if it doesn't.

    Back to the list

Still not sure which radio you have?

Text us a photo of your screen and the buttons around it, or send your VIN, and we'll tell you which kit fits.

Text us a photo647-439-4485Call us1-866-824-4118Email ussales@lockdownsecurity.ca