[poolescott]

Hey all, I'm actually in the market for a Passport, going back and forth between the Forester and Passport. Honda really pissed me off with the trim options. I think the Sport is pretty well equipped, but can't stand the stock head unit without Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Which is why I was looking at the EX-L, but I don't want leather! Now I love moonroofs, but not enough to make that jump to the EX-L, now if they only offered a panoramic, I would probably consider it.

So basically the only options the EX-L has that I really want is the upgraded head unit, the wifi hotspot, the rear seat sunshades, and the moonroof.

The moonroof I guess I can live without since it's so small and not a pano, the wifi hotspot can be fixed with just getting a portable hotspot.

I guess my questions to you guys, since there is not much that I need from the EX-L, should I get the Sport, and then see if I can purchase the EX-L head unit from Honda and have them install it or would I need to go strictly aftermarket?

Thanks guys and I apologize for the long post.

 

[poolescott]

I'm not entirely sure on that, I know there are adapters for aftermarket headunits to hook up with the wheel controls, but not sure of the car settings. That is why I was leaning more towards trying to buy a stock 8" head unit and seeing if they can install it.

Also after looking at Crutchfield, I've only seen 7" units with Carplay and Auto, so also not thrilled with that. Plus a lot of them don't have volume knobs, just the buttons. I guess I'm being super picky.


Honda has really aggravated me with their current trims, which is why I'm looking at Subaru.

The HR-V Sport has Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The Pilot EX has no moonroof even though all other EX models have moonroofs. Their trims make no sense!! Don't even get me started on the Ridgeline trims.

Rant over.

 

[poolescott]

Thanks for the input guys! I did find this Halo 9 head unit from Alpine that uses a single din and has a floating 9" display with Carplay and Android Auto. Could be a pretty nice solution to the crappy Sport head unit. Not sure how well it will look or work with the Passport. I may try to put some Photoshop examples together.

https://www.alpine-usa.com/product/alpine-halo9-radio-apple-carplay-android-auto-ilx-f309

 

[poolescott]

Yea, the Kenwoods are nice and wireless Android Auto would be great. I just love the bigger screen and the floating style, I wish more manufacturers did this.