Do you love a good traditional CD? Perhaps you’re hesitant to swap your collection for a new-fangled MP3 system.
Finding a new vehicle will be difficult if CDs are a priority. Not impossible – but almost. Sorry. That’s the reality of the current market.
These days, virtually all new cars don’t come with a CD player as standard. Instead, you’re much more likely to find Bluetooth-enabled or plug-in infotainment systems.
So, what are your options? This guide will walk you through the various things you could do.
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What New Cars Come With CD Players?
You’ll still find CD players on particular distinct models from some manufacturers. They aren’t always standard and might need to be added as an optional upgrade.
However, if you look diligently enough, they’re still available in one or two common brands. These seem to be exclusively limited to Japanese carmakers. Here’s a list of a few 2023 models you could check out.
It’s by no means exhaustive, but CD players are few and far between these days.
- Honda HR-V LX and some Odyssey specs
- Toyota Highlander and Sequoia
In brief, they’re challenging to find.
It seems probable that CD players will likely be almost entirely obsolete in the next few years.
Why Don’t Most New Cars Come With CD Players?
Spotify, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto currently rule the market. Apple claims that 98% of new cars may contain CarPlay. Their research also indicated that 79% of Americans would only purchase a fresh car if the feature came with it.
That figure may be a bit selective, but most cars certainly have either CarPlay or Android Auto functionality. It shows the way the market’s going. It’s also unsettling for the automotive industry as a whole as Apple and Google work their way into the industry. That’s another story, though.
That’s partly because of their promotional strategies but mostly because we – the population – buy into what they peddle.
Our smartphones are full of hundreds, if not thousands, of songs, podcasts, eBooks, and other audible media. Today’s devices are literally millions of times faster than NASA’s 1960s rockets. How remarkable is that?
Your smartphone can hold more music than hundreds of CDs. So, why would you bother getting one? Why not just put everything on your portable device?
It’s a superb question! And, of course, the answer is that most people prefer the convenience these systems provide.
Vehicle manufacturers will build their automobiles to maximize sales in order to make profits.
Due to the surge in digital media, CD players are often seen as excessively bulky, particularly as many individuals do not utilize them. They occupy space behind the dashboard, causing disruptions in the infotainment system. Additionally, they are heavy, and all makers aim to cut down on weight whenever feasible.
In the end, you – as a CD enthusiast – are (unfortunately) now in the minority. A manufacturer is unlikely to build a car with a CD player because hardly anybody wants one. To them, it would be a fruitless waste of resources.
There Aren’t Many CD Players In New Cars – Now What?
You might have spent years building up your CD collection. It’s entirely understandable that you don’t want to throw it away in exchange for digital media.
There’s heartening news! You don’t have to!
Here are a couple of the potential paths you could take.
1. Buy An Older Second-Hand Car
You don’t necessarily need to buy a new car. Often, secondhand cars can be more beneficial from a depreciation point of view. They’ll also come with CD players.
Apple Car Play and Android Auto became hugely popular around 2017. They were released in 2014/2015, respectively.
If you look at any vehicle released before 2017, and certainly before 2015, it’s likely to have a CD player. Of course, don’t take that as a certainty. Make sure you check before you obtain!
2. Upload Your CD Music To A Digital Device
You might feel some inner resistance to this, but if you need a new car, it’s your best bet.
You can burn (copy) the files on your CDs to a local device like your computer. From here, you could either save them to a portable USB drive or upload them to your small smartphone.
If you’re worried or confused about this process, check out the video above. It’s a succinct, carefully set-out step-by-step instructional clip.
When you link to your car with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto, play your CD music from your phone. Make sure you position it somewhere lawful and secure. It’ll play via your car’s stereo.
3. Install A USB CD Player
You can purchase some aftermarket CD players that simply connect to your car via a USB cable.
Other aftermarket CD players are available, but USB versions are the most inconspicuous. You’ll still need to have it wired in, which might involve removing some decorative or dashboard panels.
Once you’ve installed a USB CD player, you’ll insert your CDs in. You’ll then play music in the same way as you’d do it from your handheld device.
Warning: if the CD player isn’t installed correctly or the ECU malfunctions, it may cause a parasitic drain. That’s when something draws current from the battery even after the car’s turned off.
If you notice your battery going flat much more frequently than usual, this may be the cause. The battery warning light might also illuminate.
What’s The Best Option For New Cars Without CD Players?
The simplest option is to upload the music from your CDs to your phone or another suitable device. You can then play your songs, books, and so on from it.
You could install a USB CD player, but this isn’t the optimal use of money for most people. CDs are phasing out (for better or worse).
As they become less popular, there are far fewer on sale, and they’re much harder to find and purchase. You won’t see many new CDs over the coming years, and even the old ones will disappear.
Of course, if you’re dedicated on CDs, go for it!
Finally, consider not getting a new car at all. The vast majority don’t need a vehicle that’s just rolled off the production line. Instead, buy something five or six years old, in superb condition, with a CD player.
To recap, do contemporary cars come with CD players? No. Well, a few do. But for the majority, it’s a thing of the past.
