There are surprisingly few threads hitting on the difference between the JBL 7" unit and the Entune unit.

I went Entune today - and I am not sure why.

Anyone else rocking the smaller Nav?

Any downsides to my decision?

Thanks.

I made the same choice for a few reasons. The JBL system is over priced. The Entune system has future development plans and if you look carefully at the maps and weather screens is actually quite high resolution. The voice command features are much more refined.
My last reason was the Bluetooth integration. I use this feature more than any other and it works very well with my android based Galaxy SIII.
Voice call quality is excellent as is the contacts recognition.
Yes it has a few bugs and rough edges and the stock speakers are adequate but not impressive.
I am very happy with the choice made.

Great question since I am also looking for opinions from folks who have them. I currently have the JBL in a 2011 and am looking at a 2013. The voice commands in the JBL especially for a cell phone are crude. Entune is one command, and JBL is five just to call someone by name. If you use the USB key for music and have alot of it on the key, it can be slow in switching to songs not in the sequence. A saleman told me that they may be phasing out the JBL once they reach the contract limit on number of units.

As for entune, I only used it during test drives. It appears that POI only work when your phone is connnected through BING which seemed slow. Toyota will also be charging a service fee after three years for the entune features. Unfortunately, Toyota placed the low end entune in the 4-Runner, rather than the high end which I understand you can get in a Camry. This is disappointing since one would think the Limited 4 runner would have the latest technology Toyota has to offer.

I guess the real question is does it still have party mode???

I can't quite get that 4Runner is making units with both sets of nav systems. I also don't get that the JBL comes with a bunch of extra speakers while the other nav system gets a smaller, lower resolution screen - with no break in price. And the JBL carries no premium. So, technically, these two options should cost the same to the manufacturer, right?

But I don't see the premium value in the Entune system - although I bought it over the JBL because I was told that the voice commands were a one-shot move for some items. I was also told that the apps/etc. can be upgraded later. Which I am hopeful we get some additional variety.

Hope I made the right call.

JBL is the old NAV system for the Toyota 4-runner and costs substantially more ($1155 MSRP) for a buyer for a 2012/2013. You can verify this on the Toyota website. They may cost Toyota the same, but buyers pay more for a 4 Runner with JBL/NAV. Technically, toyota could make entune application programable/configurable by the owner, but I doubt that will happen. Once you have entune you are locked into whatever Toyota wants to offer including future licensing fees after 3 years. For the 5th gen, toyota has substantially better technology that it does not offer even in the limited 4-runner, keeping it for the LEXUS line and a $20K premium. If you research it, you will find that the 4-runner also has the low end entune system with a 7" version offered on some of their cars and trucks.

I use the Entune on my Prius a lot. I'll search a business on my Entune app on my phone and it syncs with my Nav when I get in the car. Super handy when I'm planning on going somewhere and has way more POIs than the built in unit.

Don't waste your money on the JBL. I've been using entune for a month now, and I'm happy with it, especially the Bluetooth.

I sat in two 4Runners and compared them side by side. There wasn't much difference sitting still in a parking lot, and even less while driving down the road with wind / tire noise. The JBL did have more bass, but it should. I didn't care about screen size.

I should also say I was 100% for the JBL system when shopping. Then I found out TE's are not available in my region with JBL, I pleasantly surprised it wasn't a deal breaker once I spent time with both.

Just FYI that the JBL also has bluetooth, and I would assume that it's as good as the Entune （if not better)...

If Entune lets you input the Nav address while driving, I would definitely go with Entune, otherwise I like the JBL better for it's bigger screen and better sound quality, afterall they are the things you see, touch, and hear everyday.

Yes, it does.

Lol!

You know, some people (actually most) use those to listen to "music" most of the time while driving?! The JBL has quite a good sound quality and bass, with a bigger screen in bonus. So I say yes, "waste" your money on a JBL and you won't regret it.

The one thing that led me to the Entune was the ability to control the iPod from the steering wheel. The JBL doesn't say it does it - but it might.

The OP will need to listen to both, and make the call, everybody has different ears. To my wanna be audiophile ears, both systems are bad. So it's really the lesser of to evils, and my vote is spend less money. Heck, for the price of the JBL, you could have a nice head unit, and tube amp installed.

I promise that my MP3/ ALAC files (or whatever file you use) will sound just as crappy on the JBL system. Who listens to CD's in the car anymore?