5 New SUVs With CD Players (Listed By Size)

New vehicles rarely come with CD players these days.

Why include them when everyone has moved on to modern options like Bluetooth audio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and others?

However, for drivers that aren’t ready to part with CD players, here are a few SUVs that are still upholding the CD tradition.

Sub-Compact SUVs

Let’s begin with the smallest SUVs that still have CD players.

1. Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is a sub-compact SUV that offers all-wheel drive as standard and a plug-in hybrid variant.

It comes with good ground clearance that allows it to drive over rough surfaces. Also, it is one of the most reliable SUVs in this category.

This sub-compact SUV features a CD player, which is not common in many modern cars. However, note that the base model does not offer a CD player.

You will only get the player in your 2022 Crosstrek by upgrading from the standard to the Premium trim.

To use the CD player, you can access it via the media button Subaru provides on the touchscreen. When you insert a disc into the slot, the player automatically draws in the disc and starts playing.

The main screen will, however, display the CD information with some navigation options that you’d need to enjoy your playlist.

So, you also get all the options to select the next or previous track and browse and shuffle songs just like with regular modern players.

2. Nissan Rogue Sport

The 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport is a smaller version of the regular Rogue, but it is less fun to drive. This is because it’s slower than the bigger Rogue despite its mature feel.

However, it offers a composed and quiet ride that owners will enjoy.

The 2022 Rogue Sport comes with enough modern audio features for driver’s entertainment. Thankfully, it also includes the AM/FM stereo that comes with CD players.

Luddites will definitely appreciate the dual-era audio system during long drives. They may also appreciate cars with auxiliary ports.

Your CD player information will display on your infotainment screen after successfully inserting the disc in the slot. On the screen, you can see the number of tracks, the song currently playing, the title, and more.

Also, there is a button for changing the music folder, forwarding and rewinding, selecting the next song, and other control options to suit your needs.

By pressing the designated button for eject, your disc comes out and the system goes off. Your owner’s manual can help with more information to help you get the most out of your player.

Besides, CD players, today would still have a more modern feel compared to their decade-old predecessors.

For real Luddites, check our article about cars without infotainment systems.

Compact SUVs

Like the sub-compact one, the compact SUV segment is more likely to have SUVs with CD players. This is because they’re generally cheaper.

Hence, automakers can easily add a CD player in there somewhere.

3. Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester comes with an improved overall performance than prior models. This is owing to certain standard safety features that now come with the new model.

Also, finding a CD player in such a modern vehicle with ultra-modern features can be quite surprising. Yet, the Forester surprises us all.

Its CD player can play regular CDs and MP3 WMAs. It will indicate when you insert a disc into the player. You can find this disc slot above your touchscreen.

After inserting your disc, you can select, search, and scroll using the designated buttons on your screen.

Also, Subaru has designed the 2023 Forester CD player to be user-friendly so the average person should have no problem navigating it.

It would seem Subaru is keen on manufacturing Luddite-friendly cars as the Forester and the Crosstrek share the CD player similarity.

Mid-Size SUVs

Mid-size SUVs are usually somewhere in between because they always deliver the perfect compromise between classes.

Let’s see what SUV in this class still has a CD player.

4. Nissan Pathfinder

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row SUV that offers excellent value for the money. Further, it comes with adequate comfort features like heated front seats, heated steering wheels, and more.

There is also a great infotainment system that’s easy to use, though it lacks the latest connectivity system.

On our list, the 2020 Pathfinder is the only SUV in the mid-size category that still offers CD players to users who appreciate them.

Also, the system offers pleasant and easy-to-use features that owners will find useful. By pressing the media button, you get to select the CD player among the audio options it offers.

That tells us that the Pathfinder has various modern audio options and Nissan’s choice to include a CD player is only supplementary.

However, while users can employ the buttons available on their touch screen, there are also some buttons below the infotainment screen for certain functions.

Still, these buttons offer limited access. With the 2020 Pathfinder CD player, owners can view their track and folder lists, adjust settings, and more.

Still, there’s no better way of understanding your CD player than going through your car manual.

Full-Size SUVs

Full-size SUVs have a reputation to maintain as luxurious vehicles. Hence, even regular ones that aren’t typically luxury SUVs would usually have a classy feel.

That’s why searching for one with a CD player is tough today. However, there are always exceptions.

5. Lexus LX

The 2022 Lexus LX is a fully redesigned SUV that is better than the previous year’s model. This SUV offers a new interior and exterior appearance but is available at a higher price than previous models.

Also, for old-school folks who still enjoy the use of CD players in their cars, the Lexus LX is an SUV that offers this. Its CD player can store up to six discs for the best entertainment experience.

To use,

• Set a single disc on your player by pushing the load button
• For an insertion, the orange indicator lights at both ends of the slot will blink
• It’ll then turn green for the CD changer slot to open up
• After the slot opens, insert the disc into the lowest empty disc slot and it’ll automatically load after you insert it
• Repeat the same procedure to load more discs into the CD player

Owners can access the control screen after inserting a disc into the player by selecting the disc using the remote pad Lexus provided. The control screen offers many options for users when they need to loop, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and more.

Where there is a need to eject the discs,

• You can use the designated ‘change disc’ button to highlight the disc number you want to remove
• Press the eject button and the yellow indicator light will blink
• A stable indicator light means you can remove the disc

Modern CD players have come a long way. However, you can still get stuck when your CD player won’t stop ejecting.

So, stay as knowledgeable as possible because you never know when the information would come in handy.

Note: If you have a new car that didn’t come with a CD player, but want one, you can install one in your vehicle. Other quicker and cheaper options allow owners to connect their devices via Bluetooth or a USB cable.

Still, if you insist, installing one may cost around $85 to $150. Installation costs depend on vehicle model and model year. CD players also come in different sizes so a $30 to $70 budget might work too.

Final Thoughts

Besides CD players, many ancient car features are still present in modern cars today.

While there’s a high likelihood that they’ll fade out soon enough, automakers that still include them are simply taking advantage of a gap in the market.

If old-school drivers want to continue enjoying old-school features to the fullest, they may be better off with classic or antique cars.

Sources

New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews, and Pricing | Edmunds

Best Cars, Best Trucks, and Best SUVs | U.S. News and World Report.

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