SiriusXM satellite radio buying guide

More and more cars are rolling out of the factory with satellite radio built-in, but if yours doesn't have it and you want it, SiriusXM has a tuner that's right for you and your car. If you're still in the "Gee, Idunno?" stage of the decision-making process, here are just a few of the reasons you really do want to add SiriusXM satellite radio to your car.

Maximum entertainment

• An unparalleled variety of music choices: You'll get multiple music channels, including rock, pop, country, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, jazz, classical, Latin, world, and Christian channels.
• An amazing array of news and talk: If it's worth talking about, someone's talking about it on SiriusXM's wide variety of national news, sports, talk, and entertainment channels.
• Up-to-the-minute traffic and weather: In select metropolitan markets, you can find out what the conditions are and plan your route accordingly.
• Sports: If you're a sports fanatic, you really need SiriusXM. Whether you're into baseball, basketball, football, hockey, racing, and/or soccer, you'll never miss a big event.
• No annoying ads: Most music channels on SiriusXM are commercial-free.
• Crystal-clear signals: SiriusXM's digital signal means no static or interference and the ability to transmit text information like stock quotes and sports scores alongside musical signals.
• Coast-to-coast coverage: satellite radio is available across the continental 48 states, plus parts of Alaska and Puerto Rico. You can even get a signal up to 200 miles offshore, so if you're a boat owner, there's another reason to get into SiriusXM.
• The best of everything SiriusXM offers: With the Platinum package and SiriusXM 360L, you’ll get SiriusXM satellite radio signals, plus all the streaming content usually available only through the SXM app or online.

360L – the best of everything SiriusXM offers

The top-level Platinum subscription includes SiriusXM 360L. This is a hybrid service that greatly expands what you can get from SiriusXM. With the right gear, you’ll get SiriusXM satellite radio signals, plus all the streaming content available through the SXM app or online. That means hundreds of extra channels, plus on-demand content like shows, interviews, and live performances. And you can create Pandora stations based on songs you hear and love.

To get the benefits of 360L, you'll need either the SXV300V1 add-on tuner or the cutting-edge SiriusXM Tour (both covered below) paired with a wifi hotspot, such as your phone. 

What kind of tuner is the right one?

The answer to that question depends on your situation.

• If you already have a compatible aftermarket stereo or you're planning to install one, the SiriusXM SXV300V1 tuner is the one to choose.
• But if you can't (or don't want to) replace the stock radio, you'll want a dock-and-play option. 

We'll take a closer look at each one below.

Add SiriusXM to your aftermarket stereo

When you connect a SiriusXM SXV300V1 to any of the many SiriusXM-Ready™ aftermarket car stereos currently available, all that awesome entertainment will sound better than ever in your car or truck.

This compact tuner fits behind your car's dash and plugs into your SiriusXM-Ready™ car stereo without the need for additional cables or interfaces. It comes in a complete package that contains the hideaway tuner, an exterior antenna (with a magnetic base for easy mounting), and an installation guide.

The SXV300V1 tuner works with SiriusXM 360L, so when you upgrade to the SiriusXM Platinum package, you can access all of the extra broadcast and streaming content mentioned above. 

The best thing about SiriusXM 360L is that you can control it using your stereo or the SiriusXM app. To get all this cool stuff, you’ll need to be connected to Wi-Fi — that means you can tether the stereo to your phone and activate a data hotspot. Once that's done, you can dive into a much deeper world of entertainment without having to bounce between sources to make it all happen.

If you have an older receiver that's SiriusXM-compatible, you won't get those newer features, but you'll still get all the SiriusXM music, entertainment, news, and sports programming you love, plus cool features like Replay and iTunes® song tagging. And you'll be able to enjoy the new features whenever you upgrade your receiver.

Adding SiriusXM to factory radios

With the help of a Vais Technology adapter, you can add SiriusXM satellite radio to a wide variety of factory radios. Enter your vehicle info or talk to a Crutchfield Advisor to see if there's one available for your car or truck.

Subscription required

You'll also need to purchase a subscription from SiriusXM. Satellite radio service is available only within the lower 48 states — not available in Hawaii or U.S. territories. Limited service is available in Alaska.

Depending on your subscription package, you'll get SiriusXM's Xtra Channels with the SXV300V1. That's over 20 additional music, sports, entertainment, plus SiriusXM Latino, a collection of dedicated Spanish-language channels. Ask your Crutchfield advisor for more details. 

A special package for boats and RVs

Want to bring SiriusXM programming to your boat or RV? The SiriusXM SXV300M package includes the satellite radio tuner, plus a marine-ready Shakespeare antenna, a 25-foot antenna cable, and three antenna mounting options — surface, low profile with base, and pedestal. 

The versatility of Dock & Play satellite radios

Dock & Play satellite radios are compact units that work with sets of accessories to play over both your car and home stereos. The advantage of a Dock & Play SiriusXM tuner is that you can transfer it from the car to your home stereo, and only pay one subscription. A Dock & Play radio will often also work with a compatible SiriusXM boombox, and packages (read on to learn more) are available.

To get satellite radio service with a Dock & Play tuner, you'll need the following:

• a Dock & Play satellite radio (also called a tuner or a receiver). The radio connects to and plays through your car or home stereo, or both, depending on the radio you select and accessories you add
• a satellite radio antenna (most radios include the antenna)
• a subscription to SiriusXM

Let’s take a look at several of SiriusXm’s best-selling Dock & Play satellite radios.

The SiriusXM TOUR

If you have an older car, a leased car, a car with a seriously integrated dash, or you simply don't want to replace the stock stereo, you don't have to settle for second-rate entertainment. The SiriusXM SXWB1V1 TOUR with 360L lets you add SiriusXM when you thought you were stuck with AM and FM.

The SXWB1V1 TOUR offers tons of cool features, including built-in Bluetooth® connectivity, WiFi, and voice control. It also has access to the 360L features we mentioned above. With Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora, you can create your own artist stations and get recommendations curated just for you based on your listening history.

There's an on-demand feature that lets you access recorded shows, live performances, interviews, and events, and if you're a sports fan, you can get real-time updates on all your favorite teams. You can view all the program and channel information on the 4.3" touchscreen color display, along with great graphics like channel logos and album art.

The built-in Bluetooth makes it easy to connect to your radio, home sound system, or a Bluetooth speaker, but you'll also get the accessories you'll need for installation in your car. The vehicle kit includes a vehicle dock and antenna, dash and vent mounts, and a cable to connect to your car radio's auxiliary input.

If your car's radio doesn't have an aux input, an optional FM adapter will deliver clear sound through your vehicle's FM radio.

The SiriusXM Roady BT

The slick SXVRBT1 Roady BT Dock & Play tuner has a full-color screen and easy-to-operate controls. It plugs into your vehicle’s power port and gives you the option to connect via the vehicle’s Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio, or the AUX input.

The full-color screen is easy to read, and you can pause, rewind, and replay live programming using the convenient buttons. With 325-plus channels to choose from, you'll also appreciate the 20 channel presets, favorites alerts, and TuneStart™, which will start playing the current song from the beginning the moment you tune in.

It even comes with your choice of 12 months of Platinum service for $99 or your first three months free. If you’ve been thinking about adding SiriusXM to your daily driver, the RoadyBT is a great way to get into it.

The SiriusXM Onyx package 

Another handy Dock & Play option is the SiriusXM Onyx EZR & SXSD2 Package. This handy combo includes a Onyx EZR Dock & Play satellite radio with a home kit and the SXSD2 boombox, so it’ll make it easy to enjoy satellite radio in your car and home. Simply nestle the Onyx EZR tuner in the home kit's cradle or inside the boombox's dock, and you'll get your favorite satellite radio programming just about anywhere you want to be.

Stream online with the SiriusXM app

The SiriusXM app and the SiriusXM webplayer let you access your account and listen to SiriusXM online on any computer, tablet, or smartphone. That means you can stream your favorite channels in the office or any time you’re on the move. When an Internet connection isn’t available, you can stream the music using your device's data plan. You can also stream SiriusXM programming through select smart TVs, and smart speakers, including your Sonos system. You won’t even need a dedicated antenna.

To get satellite radio service using the app, you'll need the following:

• a computer, network-capable product, or a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone
• an app or Internet browser to access SiriusXM online
• a subscription to SiriusXM

Note: A subscription is required and sold separately by SiriusXM. Some channels are not available in all packages. Satellite radio service is available only within Canada and the lower 48 states — not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories. You can, however, stream SiriusXM throughout the satellite service area, as well as Alaska and Hawaii.

Want to learn more?

Not sure which SiriusXM satellite radio option is right for you? Check out our full selection of  satellite radio gear. 

To get even more info about SiriusXM satellite radio, check out our Satellite Radio FAQ. 

If you have any questions, give us a call or chat. Our advisors are always happy to talk about satellite radio!