How to... upgrade your car's stereo - Introduction

Spend more time behind the wheel than relaxing in your armchair? You may want to specify an upgraded stereo when choosing your new car. But is it worth paying an extra £1500 or so to give your in-car music concert hall sound quality?

Car manufacturers now team up with some of the biggest names in hi-fi, so the upgrade choices are similar to those you'd be making for your music system at home.

Speaker giant Dynaudio works with Volkswagen and Volvo, high-end specialist Mark Levinson supplies Lexus, and Bose works with Audi, Mazda and Porsche.

Sounds great - in every sense - but there's a catch: the price. With upgrades costing from a few hundred up to £4500, you need to think carefully. It's unlikely you'll recoup the extra cost when you come to sell, although it can make a car more appealing to buyers.

We've looked at five different cars with standard and upgraded audio systems, to find out whether it's worth paying the extra.