When a car buyer is looking at a used Honda CR-V for sale or any other used vehicle, they must perform a balancing act. An older model will almost certainly be less expensive, with most vehicles depreciating by around 10-15% per year. However, not only will these vehicles have more miles on them, but the features won’t be as advanced. This is especially true regarding on-board infotainment technology, which continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
While someone may not necessarily need or want all the latest tech bells and whistles, there are certain features they simply must have. Speaking from experience, I can’t imagine getting behind the wheel of a vehicle without Bluetooth or a USB audio port. I’m sure other people feel the same way about infotainment tech, such as large touchscreens and wireless charging, but where (or rather, when) can you find these must-have features? Using the tried-and-true Q&A format, let’s look at when Honda introduced popular CR-V infotainment tech features and what years/trims they’re available on.
What CR-V Year Has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Drivers gained the ability to connect their devices using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto software with the 2017 Honda CR-V. As part of the fifth-generation debut, Honda made compatibility for these programs standard on all CR-V trims. However, a USB connection was required to connect. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto became available in the sixth generation in 2023. Currently, people can find wireless connectivity on the Honda CR-V EX-L, Sport-L, and Sport Touring; lower trims remain wired-only.
What Years and Trims Have Larger Infotainment Screens?
There have been two major CR-V “screen shifts” in recent years. The 2015 model is when Honda made a seven-inch color touchscreen and matching digital gauge cluster standard; smaller five-inch screens were first seen in 2012. Although most CR-V models still have these seven-inch screens, buyers received bigger options starting in 2023. The EX-L, Sport L, and Sport Touring from 2023 onward have a nine-inch screen along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These screens feature smart shortcuts and let users customize various feature settings to their tastes.
When Did the CR-V Get Bluetooth Connectivity?
Now considered a given today, it was a big deal when Honda made Bluetooth wireless standard on the CR-V in 2012. Before the fourth-gen CR-V, Bluetooth was optional or not available at all, and this new capability introduced wireless audio streaming and hands-free calling. Apart from Bluetooth software updates, the setup has largely stayed the same. Several other standard tech features were introduced in 2012, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, a backup camera, steering wheel infotainment controls, and large infotainment screens.
What Years Added HD Radio?
A feature that allowed for digital simulcasts of AM/FM radio and bonus content via multicasting, HD Radio was added to the CR-V in 2015, being bundled with Navigation on the EX-L and coming standard on the Touring, though the first Honda of any kind to have HD Radio was the 2014 Honda Civic. The availability of HD Radio has been modified as trim levels have evolved, but it remains limited to high-end trims, meaning the CR-V EX-L, Sport-L, and Sport Touring.
Which CR-V Years Have Expanded USB Ports?
The audio USB port is one of the earliest modern conveniences the CR-V sported, as it first appeared on the third-generation debut in 2007. This USB-A front console port has remained ever since, but more ports and designs have joined it. As of 2015, the EX and higher trims had two USB-A audio ports that could also charge devices, though compatibility with Apple devices required an optional HondaLink cable kit. In 2023, Honda started using USB-C ports, adapting to the prevalence of USB-C charging cables. Nowadays, most CR-Vs have one USB-C charging port in the front console and two in the second row. Honda also redesigned the placement of the USB ports in 2023 for easier access.
When Did Honda Add Wireless Phone Charging?
Charging a smartphone without connecting a cord continues to gain steam, and all iPhones released since 2017 have included this option. Seeing the wave of the future, Honda added a 15-watt wireless smartphone charging pad to the CR-V Touring in 2020. The pad is compatible with all Apple devices and Android devices using Qi. Starting with the 2023 model year, Honda also includes wireless charging with the CR-V EX-L and Sport-L trims.
What CR-V Years and Trims Are SiriusXM Radio Capable?
Honda was one of the original partners of XM Satellite Radio when it was a competitor to Sirius Satellite Radio, first adding it to vehicles in 2003 and making it standard for all models (including the CR-V) in 2007. When the 2008 merger created SiriusXM, though, the number of CR-Vs with satellite radio dropped significantly. Honda and SiriusXM reached an agreement in 2014 to expand its availability. Since then, SiriusXM compatibility has been included on all CR-V EX-L and above trims, including the Sport-L and Sport Touring. However, drivers still need an active subscription to listen to SiriusXM.
What Year First Offered Wi-Fi Connectivity?
With a Wi-Fi setup, CR-V owners can connect their vehicles to an external hotspot to save data or create a hotspot for passengers. It’s a relatively recent addition to the CR-V lineup, however. The 2023 sixth-gen Honda CR-V is the first one with Wi-Fi hotspot capability available on the Sport Touring trim. The Wi-Fi hotspot on the CR-V requires an AT&T subscription to generate a hotspot. Current AT&T cellular users can integrate their existing wireless plan; others must purchase one. The same setup allows the use of HondaLink subscription services and the automaker’s satellite-based navigation system.
What CR-V Years Introduced Premium Speaker Systems?
Audiophiles like me love having pristine sound for music, shows, and sports games. The era of the premium sound system began in 2011 when Honda offered the CR-V SE with a six-speaker setup. (These were the days when a six-disc CD changer was a big deal.) Four speakers remain the base sound system to this day, but the premium offerings have evolved. By 2014, a seven-speaker, 328-watt system had become a standard for the EX-L. Beginning in 2017, Honda offered four-, six-, eight-, and nine-speaker systems for the CR-V, depending on your choice of trim. Beginning with 2023, the current audio system lineup is as follows:
- LX— Four speakers, 160 watts
- EX and Sport— Six speakers, 240 watts
- EX-L and Sport-L— Eight speakers, 320 watts
- Sport Touring— 12 Bose speakers with subwoofer, unknown watts
Find a Used CR-V with the Right Tech
The Honda CR-V is one of North America’s most popular and decorated compact crossovers in the 21st century. It has been named to the Car and Driver 10Best list six times, recently captured its eighth Kelley Blue Book Best Compact SUV award, and is a two-time winner of the MotorTrend SUV of the Year honors. Part of the reason for this recognition is that its infotainment tech has stayed one step ahead, offering many features before they were expected by the car-buying public.
Because of this, plenty of used Honda CR-Vs still offer excellent tech goodies for budget-conscious shoppers—especially if they know which vehicles to look at. I hope that by using this guide, readers can quickly find CR-V model years and trims with their desired features while taking advantage of the financial benefits of a pre-loved vehicle.
