Infotainment/nav upgrade change interface?
#1
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My daughter just purchased a 2013 Rav4 XLE. So my wife, daughter (and my granddaughter) and I are going for a ride in her new (to her) Rav4 and she's streaming Spotify via Bluetooth from her phone through her infotainment system.
Get this: Her infotainment system is showing this beautiful display with the album art of the current song that is being played, song data and everything on her screen! I was shocked! It looked AWESOME!
I do the same on my 2013 GX 460 Premium (note: same year except my GX costs about two or three times what hers cost new). I stream Pandora from my phone via Bluetooth to my system and I get something that looks like and old Windows 3x operating system. No art, just plain text listed on the display. What bugs me is that both vehicles are from the same company, Toyota and both are the same year. You would think that the Lexus would have the nicer display. I know, the millennials are all into graphics and cool stuff like that, but heck! I wouldn't mind a nicer display too!!!
Questions:
Get this: Her infotainment system is showing this beautiful display with the album art of the current song that is being played, song data and everything on her screen! I was shocked! It looked AWESOME!
I do the same on my 2013 GX 460 Premium (note: same year except my GX costs about two or three times what hers cost new). I stream Pandora from my phone via Bluetooth to my system and I get something that looks like and old Windows 3x operating system. No art, just plain text listed on the display. What bugs me is that both vehicles are from the same company, Toyota and both are the same year. You would think that the Lexus would have the nicer display. I know, the millennials are all into graphics and cool stuff like that, but heck! I wouldn't mind a nicer display too!!!
Questions:
- Was her infotainment system recently upgraded? (This is a rhetorical question that I don't think any of you can answer)
- If I upgrade my infotainment/nav system to the most current version, would it look a little newer than Windows 3x? (read: different GUI)
- Anyone with a 2018 or 2019 GX Premium or Luxury edition care to chime in on what their display looks like?
- Has anyone upgraded their infotainment/nav system?
#2
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There's no practical cost effective way to update your factory installed NAV/Infotainment system. Sorry.
My wife has a 2017 GX and it's no better in this department. She had a 2012 GX Luxury prior to that -- so I know what you are saying wrt the interface.
My wife has a 2017 GX and it's no better in this department. She had a 2012 GX Luxury prior to that -- so I know what you are saying wrt the interface.
#3
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Thanks for the info!
Just doesn't make sense that a dumpy little Rav4 (okay, so it's not that dumpy of a car for my daughter...) would have this brilliant center console display and we're left in the very dated 1980's Windows 3x looking display!
At least if they gave options for color changes, backgrounds or themes, that would pacify a wee bit but we're stuck with either day time or night time lighting and the option to adjust brightness and contract. Big WHIP...![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
Anyways thanks to anyone bored enough read through my rant...
Cheers.
Just doesn't make sense that a dumpy little Rav4 (okay, so it's not that dumpy of a car for my daughter...) would have this brilliant center console display and we're left in the very dated 1980's Windows 3x looking display!
At least if they gave options for color changes, backgrounds or themes, that would pacify a wee bit but we're stuck with either day time or night time lighting and the option to adjust brightness and contract. Big WHIP...
![Confused](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif)
Anyways thanks to anyone bored enough read through my rant...
Cheers.
#4
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Not that I'm making any excuses for the GX. The infotainment system is terribly dated, even the 2014+ system, so it is still a problem that Lexus did not put any more focus on that feature. I have an RX loaner right now and the system is much more visually pleasing (though I hate the weird joystick control). I replaced a BMW when I bought my Lexus and the BMW's system, despite being around since 2009 (older than the system in the GX), was far superior. It's one of the biggest weak points of the GX.
#5
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Agreed, it is a weak point and some that I would have imagined to be addressed for such an upscale vehicle.
And why are we paying a premium??? (snicker, snicker...)
Have to admit, my wife and I truly do love the GX, especially since I've mod'ed it for overland. Probably the best overland vehicle I could imagine and the best one I've built so far (this is my third). Way better than any Jeep (Chrysler), especially better than Land Rovers, not to mention all the American trucks. And in my opinion, even 4Runners (sorry any 4R's out there).
And why are we paying a premium??? (snicker, snicker...)
Have to admit, my wife and I truly do love the GX, especially since I've mod'ed it for overland. Probably the best overland vehicle I could imagine and the best one I've built so far (this is my third). Way better than any Jeep (Chrysler), especially better than Land Rovers, not to mention all the American trucks. And in my opinion, even 4Runners (sorry any 4R's out there).
#6
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A few options...
I'm not aware of anyone who has installed the first one
The second one still needs a few bugs worked out.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...m-upgrade.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...r-console.html
I'm not aware of anyone who has installed the first one
The second one still needs a few bugs worked out.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...m-upgrade.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...r-console.html
#7
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Its a vehicle designed a decade ago...not much there except some bypass kits that allow screen mirroring or the off brand android head unit which has lots of quirks.
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#8
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One thing that has not been mentioned is that the target demographic for these two vehicles is vastly different. Toyota has no doubt figured out that buyers of the RAV4 are likely looking for different feature sets at a different price point than buyers of a GX. I would guess that - on average - RAV4 buyers are quite a bit younger and likely place a greater emphasis on technology and are willing to compromise on other areas (i.e. interior finishes, road noise, ride quality) provided that the infotainment interface is intuitive, modern, etc. On the other hand, I would venture to say that most Lexus buyers place a higher value on a quiet and comfortable ride, high end interior finishes, etc. than the UI of the infotainment system.
I found it strange a few years back when Toyota made xenon headlights standard on the Corolla but the Camry still got halogen projectors. My guess was always that the younger Corolla buyer fancied the whiter looking headlights and Toyota realized that this gave them a competitive advantage in the compact segment vs. the Civic and other smaller, cheaper sedans. Camry buyers on the other hand may not have found headlamps to be a key buying criteria in that segment of the market. I would imagine Toyota does extensive focus group testing to determine buyer demographics, option packages, etc.
And think about Scion. Did you ever see anyone over 35 driving a Scion? Toyota developed a brand extension and specific set of features and design attributes that specifically appealed to a younger demographic.
I found it strange a few years back when Toyota made xenon headlights standard on the Corolla but the Camry still got halogen projectors. My guess was always that the younger Corolla buyer fancied the whiter looking headlights and Toyota realized that this gave them a competitive advantage in the compact segment vs. the Civic and other smaller, cheaper sedans. Camry buyers on the other hand may not have found headlamps to be a key buying criteria in that segment of the market. I would imagine Toyota does extensive focus group testing to determine buyer demographics, option packages, etc.
And think about Scion. Did you ever see anyone over 35 driving a Scion? Toyota developed a brand extension and specific set of features and design attributes that specifically appealed to a younger demographic.
#9
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Per your nod to the younger crowd, I did mention them in my original post, "I know, the millennials are all into graphics and cool stuff like that, but heck! I wouldn't mind a nicer display too!!!" And I absolutely agree that the younger generation, with their (very) small attention span does need more bling to keep them entertained. But heck, I'll be 60 years old in April and I too appreciate a nice looking and functional high-tech system! That's why I, and I'm sure many of you buy the newest iPhone (pew...) or Android (yea!) every other year or so, to be up on the latest technology. And I'm not even going to get into all the other techie things in our lives that even though we're older, show that we're still very interested in the shinny bling of technology. I think the day of "Hey, son/daughter, can you program the VCR to no flash 12:00?? We can't figure it out!" Even though we're older, we're still more computer and tech savvy and literate than a previous generation ago and can usually keep up toe-toe with many of the young'ns in using tech. In fact, I believe young people have a very narrow scope of tech they live in, e.g. Iphone, Facebook, Spotify, MacBook, Instagram, etc. If it's not a real easy app or program, they'll ditch it. I've found myself having to school my daughter on tech in various things from PC computers, cameras, audio and visual equipment and software. Just as a side note, I'm just a biomechanical engineer, I'm not this wondrous high-tech, electronics geek, just a guy that researches stuff.
Apologies for my digression...
Back to the post at hand, I've also been looking for any technology/companies that can mirror our phones to the infotainment screen. For me, I would love to just be able to mirror my phone either with a cable or preferably Bluetooth, keeping all the functionality of the factory Lexus settings.
Here is what I've found so far:
Apologies for my digression...
Back to the post at hand, I've also been looking for any technology/companies that can mirror our phones to the infotainment screen. For me, I would love to just be able to mirror my phone either with a cable or preferably Bluetooth, keeping all the functionality of the factory Lexus settings.
Here is what I've found so far:
- https://mirrorlink.com/ Does not appear to support any Lexus products
- http://www.beatsonicusa.com/blog/?p=77 I believe this has be posted a few times already. This is for >2013 Lexus
- http://www.beatsonicusa.com/if02ep.html And this too has been shared. This is for >2014 GX without nav
- https://airmore.com/mirror-phone-to-car-screen.html#_3 This link shares several ways, some of which are mentioned above
- https://gromaudio.com/store/vlite/le...mirroring.html This is from Grom
#10
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According to R.L. Polk data, the average tC coupe buyer in 2007 was 43.5 years old. Last year the average tC buyer was 47. Similar aging patterns followed the xB and xD hatchbacks as well. Still, those buyers are spring chickens compared with the average Toyota Camry buyer, who was 60 in 2011.
Still, Scion is a relatively youthful brand. In 2011, the average age of Scion buyers was 43 compared to an industry average of 51, according to TrueCar.
Still, Scion is a relatively youthful brand. In 2011, the average age of Scion buyers was 43 compared to an industry average of 51, according to TrueCar.
#11
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"... average tC coupe buyer in 2007 was 43.5 years old." Soooo... 43.5 is the new 27?
let me see, Turning 60 this year should actually make me 43.5! Just in time to by a Scion!!!
let me see, Turning 60 this year should actually make me 43.5! Just in time to by a Scion!!!
#12
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Be careful when they say '13+ ..... or just '10-'12. The '10-'13 infotainment is all the same and '14+ is the new version
Here is what I've found so far:
- https://mirrorlink.com/ Does not appear to support any Lexus products
- http://www.beatsonicusa.com/blog/?p=77 I believe this has be posted a few times already. This is for >2013 Lexus
- http://www.beatsonicusa.com/if02ep.html And this too has been shared. This is for >2014 GX without nav
- https://airmore.com/mirror-phone-to-car-screen.html#_3 This link shares several ways, some of which are mentioned above
- https://gromaudio.com/store/vlite/le...mirroring.html This is from Grom
#13
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Acrad35751, thanks for the heads-up on model years!
I've only been a GX owner for about 6 months but a Landcrusier owner for about 17 years. Still sorting out all the nuances of these little gems.
I've only been a GX owner for about 6 months but a Landcrusier owner for about 17 years. Still sorting out all the nuances of these little gems.
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Acrad (01-24-19)
#14
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One thing that has not been mentioned is that the target demographic for these two vehicles is vastly different. Toyota has no doubt figured out that buyers of the RAV4 are likely looking for different feature sets at a different price point than buyers of a GX. I would guess that - on average - RAV4 buyers are quite a bit younger and likely place a greater emphasis on technology and are willing to compromise on other areas (i.e. interior finishes, road noise, ride quality) provided that the infotainment interface is intuitive, modern, etc. On the other hand, I would venture to say that most Lexus buyers place a higher value on a quiet and comfortable ride, high end interior finishes, etc. than the UI of the infotainment system.
I found it strange a few years back when Toyota made xenon headlights standard on the Corolla but the Camry still got halogen projectors. My guess was always that the younger Corolla buyer fancied the whiter looking headlights and Toyota realized that this gave them a competitive advantage in the compact segment vs. the Civic and other smaller, cheaper sedans. Camry buyers on the other hand may not have found headlamps to be a key buying criteria in that segment of the market. I would imagine Toyota does extensive focus group testing to determine buyer demographics, option packages, etc.
And think about Scion. Did you ever see anyone over 35 driving a Scion? Toyota developed a brand extension and specific set of features and design attributes that specifically appealed to a younger demographic.
I found it strange a few years back when Toyota made xenon headlights standard on the Corolla but the Camry still got halogen projectors. My guess was always that the younger Corolla buyer fancied the whiter looking headlights and Toyota realized that this gave them a competitive advantage in the compact segment vs. the Civic and other smaller, cheaper sedans. Camry buyers on the other hand may not have found headlamps to be a key buying criteria in that segment of the market. I would imagine Toyota does extensive focus group testing to determine buyer demographics, option packages, etc.
And think about Scion. Did you ever see anyone over 35 driving a Scion? Toyota developed a brand extension and specific set of features and design attributes that specifically appealed to a younger demographic.
The RAV4 was also easy to update since its next generation is based on the already out next Gen TGNA platform, the business case for a refresh is alot higher (the RAV4 outsells the GX). The GX when refreshed is supposed to ride on some variation of the next generation BOF platform. However last I heard the Tundra is first out fo the gate for that platform, then the LC/LX300 and then whatever remains I guess is the GX/Prado/4runner but again dont hold ya breath
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