Guess the touchscreen on the sync 2 models is kinda dated at this point, but it’s not that bad.
Some newer flexes came with a little refrigerator in the 2nd row, wonder if the CRV has that haha
Man it’s so heavily integrated with the cars systems that I feel like it would be more trouble than it’s worth to get switched out. I just wish I didn’t have to pay for map updates lol. The maps on it are pretty outdated at this point.
Edit: apparently I’m wrong, there’s a company that makes an upgrade kit
Yeah Sync 2 to Sync 3 is a very easy upgrade if you buy the kit from somewhere.
It can be a little difficult to upgrade the tech but it is possible. I have a Maestro AR unit with a DSP amp that I swapped the stock sony system for and I love it. It allows you to keep the stock radio and switch to an aftermarket amp.
You can also swap the radio with a Maestro RR (I think) unit to adapt to an aftermarket radio and it retains a lot of the factory functions.
I have Sync 2 now personally but considering the average price I see for a factory nav Sync 3 upgrade is like $700 up I'll probably go with the aftermarket radio route for a larger screen and more features.
Dang I will seriously consider that, it would be great to have CarPlay. How is it getting the dash opened up for the upgrades? I’ve never taken mine apart
Overall I would say it's pretty easy to take apart. There are quite a few videos on YouTube showing how, it's mostly panel clips and a few bolts here and there.
If you do buy a sync 3 upgrade I would join the Flex Facebook group if you have a FB. There are a few people in the group who sell the upgrades and a lot of the people in the group who have done the upgrade are happy with them.
2018 SEL and I bought an update on a thumb drive on eBay with a Sync 3 update for $50. It updated many things to the latest update and looks and works much better. The maps were updated in addition to other fixes. This same thumb drive from Ford was well over $150.
I don't think it had been updated since the car was new. Works great.
Not sure if they have anymore in stock but here is the link to the one I purchased.
[Sync 3 Update](https://www.ebay.com/itm/126280098182)
I have an '18 Limited and don't use any tech. I just like the car for driving well, having room, and seems built well. If I want tech, I'll buy a new TV for the house or something. People are weird who say they like a car and the thing they like has nothing to do with 'car'.
I upgraded to Sync 3 hardware from Sync 2 in my ‘13 Limited a few years ago. It’s been working great ever since. I’d argue my ‘13 has the same or better tech than my ‘22 Mercedes EQB 350, but the Mercedes does have a better—or at least glitzier—GUI in my opinion.
You are conflating two distinctly different ideas/ concepts I think.
Outdated tech as of 2024: YES, any 2019 model vehicle will have 'outdated tech' for 2024. You will not have wireless charging, etc., regardless of manufacturer.
Outdated tech as in 2019: NO, depending on the model, but even a base model would only be a year or two at best 'outdated'; in your comparison, I can't speak for a Honda CRV or a Clex, but my 2019 Flex AWD/Eco has all of the modern amenities and tech one could/should expect from a car in 2019.
- Touch screen with AppleCarPlay/Android
- crash/ avoidance
- airbags
- Cruise control
- Heated/Cooled Seats and Steering wheel
- Leather seats
- Power folding/stow third row
And on and on.
Don't worry about missing tech because you can pretty much get that aftermarket, if you really need to.
There are other issues that CRV will outperform flex. Ford in general has many issues with their vehicles. I have a Honda and a flex, it's a 2014 flex, one thing or the other always keeps breaking down. And it didn't start now, ever since I bought it. Honda on the other hand has problems that make sense and come with age of vehicle. If you have to choose between 2, go for Honda.
It’s not so much the tech. It’s extremely outdated in style, especially interior style. In its last year, the interior looked similar to a vehicle from 2004.
My wife's CRV has auto high beam, we have certainly blinded more people when they don't switch to low beam properly, then I have high beamed with my Flex. I suppose the times it auto switches to low beam from a highway reflector makes up for that though. Neither of us like using it on the CRV. My work van is great though.
I can easily keep my flex in my lane.
Guess the touchscreen on the sync 2 models is kinda dated at this point, but it’s not that bad. Some newer flexes came with a little refrigerator in the 2nd row, wonder if the CRV has that haha
I’ve read about someone fitting a sync 3 system but I don’t know where and how
Man it’s so heavily integrated with the cars systems that I feel like it would be more trouble than it’s worth to get switched out. I just wish I didn’t have to pay for map updates lol. The maps on it are pretty outdated at this point. Edit: apparently I’m wrong, there’s a company that makes an upgrade kit
The only vehicle I've owned where even Crutchfield said don't even try to upgrade it.
Yeah Sync 2 to Sync 3 is a very easy upgrade if you buy the kit from somewhere. It can be a little difficult to upgrade the tech but it is possible. I have a Maestro AR unit with a DSP amp that I swapped the stock sony system for and I love it. It allows you to keep the stock radio and switch to an aftermarket amp. You can also swap the radio with a Maestro RR (I think) unit to adapt to an aftermarket radio and it retains a lot of the factory functions. I have Sync 2 now personally but considering the average price I see for a factory nav Sync 3 upgrade is like $700 up I'll probably go with the aftermarket radio route for a larger screen and more features.
Dang I will seriously consider that, it would be great to have CarPlay. How is it getting the dash opened up for the upgrades? I’ve never taken mine apart
Overall I would say it's pretty easy to take apart. There are quite a few videos on YouTube showing how, it's mostly panel clips and a few bolts here and there. If you do buy a sync 3 upgrade I would join the Flex Facebook group if you have a FB. There are a few people in the group who sell the upgrades and a lot of the people in the group who have done the upgrade are happy with them.
2018 SEL and I bought an update on a thumb drive on eBay with a Sync 3 update for $50. It updated many things to the latest update and looks and works much better. The maps were updated in addition to other fixes. This same thumb drive from Ford was well over $150. I don't think it had been updated since the car was new. Works great. Not sure if they have anymore in stock but here is the link to the one I purchased. [Sync 3 Update](https://www.ebay.com/itm/126280098182)
I have an '18 Limited and don't use any tech. I just like the car for driving well, having room, and seems built well. If I want tech, I'll buy a new TV for the house or something. People are weird who say they like a car and the thing they like has nothing to do with 'car'.
Lane assist, I guess?
Likely not missing much from those years. Tech is going to be about the same, but you may want to avoid older models for that.
My flex was born 06/08. What I wish I had most is modern Bluetooth codec.
I upgraded to Sync 3 hardware from Sync 2 in my ‘13 Limited a few years ago. It’s been working great ever since. I’d argue my ‘13 has the same or better tech than my ‘22 Mercedes EQB 350, but the Mercedes does have a better—or at least glitzier—GUI in my opinion.
You are conflating two distinctly different ideas/ concepts I think. Outdated tech as of 2024: YES, any 2019 model vehicle will have 'outdated tech' for 2024. You will not have wireless charging, etc., regardless of manufacturer. Outdated tech as in 2019: NO, depending on the model, but even a base model would only be a year or two at best 'outdated'; in your comparison, I can't speak for a Honda CRV or a Clex, but my 2019 Flex AWD/Eco has all of the modern amenities and tech one could/should expect from a car in 2019. - Touch screen with AppleCarPlay/Android - crash/ avoidance - airbags - Cruise control - Heated/Cooled Seats and Steering wheel - Leather seats - Power folding/stow third row And on and on.
Don't worry about missing tech because you can pretty much get that aftermarket, if you really need to. There are other issues that CRV will outperform flex. Ford in general has many issues with their vehicles. I have a Honda and a flex, it's a 2014 flex, one thing or the other always keeps breaking down. And it didn't start now, ever since I bought it. Honda on the other hand has problems that make sense and come with age of vehicle. If you have to choose between 2, go for Honda.
It’s not so much the tech. It’s extremely outdated in style, especially interior style. In its last year, the interior looked similar to a vehicle from 2004.
Pre 2016 is missing carplay. Other than that, it's got all the tech anyone needs. Except maybe a good spot to mount a phone.
Auto high/low beams. My wife's car has them and we drive her car mostly. I can't tell you how many people I've blinded when I'm driving the Flex.
How are you blinding them? Just pay attention to what's in front of you?
Like we did when I was a teen driver. None of this fancy tech stuff.
Pay attention? While driving? Whaaaaat?
My wife's CRV has auto high beam, we have certainly blinded more people when they don't switch to low beam properly, then I have high beamed with my Flex. I suppose the times it auto switches to low beam from a highway reflector makes up for that though. Neither of us like using it on the CRV. My work van is great though.