Topdisplay Honda CRV 2017-2021 Radio upgrade，8-Core CPU,touch screen Stereo,Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto,keep OEM Controls
Give Your Honda CRV (2017-2021) a Modern Brain: Topdisplay Radio Upgrade Guide
If you drive a 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2021 Honda CRV, you already know the factory screen feels dated. I swapped mine for the Topdisplay touch screen stereo and honestly, it changed the car. Bigger screen, much faster 8-Core CPU, and wireless CarPlay & Android Auto with zero cables. Best part? You keep all the OEM controls. Here is exactly how I did it, step by step, with the tools I used and the things to watch out for.
What You Get
• 8-Core CPU touch screen stereo — smooth, fast menus and apps
• Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto — no cables, connects as soon as you start the car
• Keep OEM Controls — steering wheel buttons and factory features still work
• Plug-and-play fit for Honda CRV 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021
Step 1 — Pop Off the Climate Control Panel
Start by gently prying the climate control panel below the screen. It is held in by 4 clips — two on the top and two on the bottom. Work around the edges, unplug the connector once it loosens, and set the panel aside. Take it slow, the clips just need a firm, even pull.
Step 2 — Remove the Two Screws Under the Radio
With the panel off, grab a Phillips screwdriver and remove the two screws sitting right under the radio. Keep them somewhere safe — you will not need them again, but better safe than sorry.
Step 3 — Slide Out the Factory Radio and Unplug It
The original radio is held in by 4 clips — carefully pull it forward out of the dash, then unplug all 4 connections on the back. Give each connector a gentle squeeze on the tab before pulling. The factory unit comes out in one piece, no cutting or damage needed.
Step 4 — Move the 4 Clips From the Old Radio to the Topdisplay Unit
Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the 4 clips off the factory radio, then snap them onto your new Topdisplay unit. This is a small step that matters a lot — the clips are what hold the new radio firmly in the dash.
Step 5 — Connect Everything on the New Radio
This is the heart of the install — just matching plugs, no wire splicing. Here is the order I followed:
• Connect the small plug with 2 white wires — if you skip this one, your original vehicle functions won't work
• Connect the CANBUS decoder — for the CRV 2017-2021 only the bigger plug on the bottom is needed; do NOT connect the small plug on top (not for this vehicle)
• Plug in the main power connection and make sure it clicks in
• Connect the reverse camera input — to keep the factory camera, run the cam wire on the main harness into the cam input
• Connect the RCA jack, then the fan plug on the radio into the fan plug on the RCA jack
• Connect the GPS module — behind the radio works, but placing it on the dash gives better signal
• Connect the radio antenna, then the factory USB into the 4-pin slot (optional spare USB goes into the 6-pin slot)
• Finally plug the 2 main connections from your vehicle into the new harness
Step 6 — Slide the New Radio In and Click It Into Place
Tuck the wiring neatly behind the unit, then slide the Topdisplay radio into the dash opening. Push it in evenly until all 4 clips click — you will feel it seat securely.
Step 7 — Clip the Climate Controls Back and You're Done
Reconnect the climate control panel, line it up, and press it back into its original position until the clips snap in. Give everything a quick look — clean dash, new screen, no leftover trim. Good work, owner.
The Verdict: Time, Difficulty, Who It's For, Real-World Feel
|
Item |
Detail |
|
Install time |
Around 30-45 minutes for a careful DIY owner — most of it is just tidying wires |
|
Difficulty |
Easy to moderate. If you can use a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver, you can do this |
|
Who it's for |
CRV 2017-2021 owners who want wireless CarPlay & Android Auto and a modern touch screen without paying a shop |
|
Everyday experience |
The 8-Core CPU keeps menus snappy; wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connects in seconds; OEM controls and the factory camera all still work |
Questions Owners Ask Before Buying
Will this damage my car?
No. The whole install is clip-and-plug. Nothing is cut, nothing is spliced, and the factory trim goes back exactly where it was.
Do I need special tools or a professional?
No. Just a Phillips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver — the same tools shown in the install video. A shop is optional, not required.
Is the installation difficult?
Not really. It is 7 steps and every connector is keyed so it only fits one way. Most owners finish within half an hour to 45 minutes the first time.
Do I keep the original functions?
Yes — that is the whole point. Connect the small plug with the 2 white wires and your OEM functions stay alive; connect the cam wire to keep the factory reverse camera; the factory USB plugs into the 4-pin slot. Steering wheel controls and other OEM controls keep working through the CANBUS decoder (bottom plug only for this CRV).
Is CarPlay & Android Auto really wireless?
Yes. The Topdisplay unit supports Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto, so your phone pairs automatically when you get in — no cable juggling on every trip.
Does it work on every CRV year from 2017 to 2021?
Yes. This kit is built for the Honda CRV 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 — same dash layout, same install steps, same plug-and-play harness.
That's the whole job. One afternoon, two screwdrivers, and your CRV finally feels like a 2025 car. Enjoy the new screen — you earned it.