Do New Cars Have CD Players?

With the ease of always having your smartphone with you and the wide range of music streaming services available today, it’s easy to forget about CD players.

10 years ago nearly all cars came with a CD player as standard. But the truth is, CD players are gradually becoming a thing of the past, and if you were to ask a teen about a CD player today, it might result in a very confused look.

So how about cars today? Do new cars have CD players? Make sure to keep reading to find out!

Do New Cars Have CD Players?

Hardly any new cars come with CD players anymore. Today, almost all car manufacturers replaced the CD player with other music playing options, such as Apple Carplay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth by connecting your phone via the car’s infotainment system. But there are still some car manufacturers that offer CD players.

So the short answer is both yes and no, some new cars do have CD players, while others don’t. But the number of new vehicles that come with a CD player standard steadily declines each year.

With today’s technology, you easily or automatically connect your smartphone via the car’s infotainment system, accessing millions of songs through music streaming apps such as Apple Carplay, Android Auto, Spotify, and more.

With this said, it is no surprise that CD players are no longer a priority for new car buyers.

When Did CD Players Stop Being Put In Cars?

With the USB stick and the aux input, both quickly overshadowed by Bluetooth streaming from our smartphones, the death of CD players in cars started about a decade ago.

Not all car manufacturers stopped at the same time, though. Some car brands want to be in the front of technology, while others seem to want to keep one foot in the past in some of their car models to target a different audience.

But most quit installing CD players around 2015 as smartphones and streaming services started dominating the music industry completely. But some car manufacturers still offer CD players even to this day, you might wonder why?

Why Automakers Still Use CD Players

The auto industry is about ten years behind the music industry, reports Forbes 2017.

Today, most of the car industry did catch up. However, one of the main reasons some car manufacturers still offer CD players in their new cars is their customer demographic.

If you think about it, new cars are more likely purchased by older customers with the income necessary to own a new car. But even older generations are gradually adapting to new technologies.

A perfect example is Lexus, they likely know that their target market still uses CDs, so they continue to offer a CD player as an option in some of their new cars, which is great for those who don’t want to let go of their CDs.

But with technology moving forward faster than ever, it’s only a matter of time until the CD player is a thing of the past. This feature will likely be gone for good in the next few years. So if you are holding out for a new car with a CD player, you might want to consider other options.

What 2022 Cars Still Have CD Players?

Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ford, and Lexus are some car manufacturers that still offer CD players as standard or options in some of their cars. Ford is planning not to offer CD players in their vehicles after 2022.

Can a CD Player Be Added to a Newer Car?

The short answer is yes, but it may not be as simple as adding an aftermarket head unit. Some of the newer cars’ dashboards won’t support a CD player, and that’s not the only drawback.

New modern cars often don’t have the proper hardware that supports a different CD player. And nearly all newer cars rely on digital media players that connect to the internet and stream music through smartphones.

Even if it is possible to install a CD player, it is an expensive and difficult process that might not be worth doing.

However, it is still possible to add a CD player to a newer car by connecting it to the car’s infotainment system via Bluetooth or a USB cable. By doing so, you can still enjoy your favorite or nostalgic CDs even if your car doesn’t come with a built-in player.

How to Play CDs In Newer Cars Without CD Player

If you can’t let go of your CDs, then the good news is that there are a few options for you to listen to your CDs in a newer car.

Portable CD Player With AUX 

Not all newer cars have AUX, but if your car does, then you’re in luck. Aux, short for auxiliary, was one of the first options available to connect your phone to a car’s radio player.

To connect a portable CD player, simply plug the AUX cord into your music device and select the Aux option on your car’s sound system.

You should then be able to hear your music through the car’s speakers. If you want to control the volume or skip tracks, you need to do so through your CD player.

Keep in mind that not all cars are compatible with this method, so be sure to check your car’s owner’s manual before purchase.

Portable CD Player With USB Input

Nearly all newer cars have USB inputs. You can use a portable CD player that connects your car with a USB cord.

These devices usually come with a USB cable that plugs into the CD player on one end and your car’s USB input on the other. Once it’s plugged in, the CD player will show up on your car’s infotainment system, and you can control it using the car’s controls.

However, make sure that you buy a USB CD player that is compatible with your car. Some CD players may only work with computers, and some only work for certain radios.

If you are planning to buy a CD player, always double-check that it fits your car.

Portable CD Players With Bluetooth

If your car doesn’t have an AUX input or a USB input, you can use a portable CD player with Bluetooth. And it might also be less expensive than the other options.

To use a Portable Bluetooth CD player, simply connect the device to your car’s Bluetooth. Once it’s paired, you should be able to see the CD player on your car’s infotainment system.

From there, you can control the player using the car’s controls. The only downside is that you need to make sure your Bluetooth CD player has enough charge.

But if you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to play your CDs in a newer car, then a Bluetooth CD player is the way to go.

Conclusion

Yes, some new cars do have CD players as standard or as an option. However, in a few years, the option of buying a new car with a CD player will probably be gone for good. Portable CD players are a great option to play CDs in newer cars.

For many people, new technology with smartphones and streaming services is a great thing, and even tho it is a good thing to embrace the new way of doing things, many of us might want to hold on to our CDs just a little bit longer.

Hope you enjoyed this article!