2020 4Runner Navigation Update (8 in screen with CarPlay)--Is everyone happy with it?

[arouth]

Hi,

I was just wondering for the 2020 owners out there if they were happy with the new Navigation system Toyota put in the 4Runner for the 2020 model year.

Most of the reviews on there for the 2014-2019 navigation units were either not positive or just kind of meh. The 2020 Navigation units look a lot better with the 8 inch screen, have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the initial reviews on Youtube seemed positive...however I was just wondering what people on here had to say after living with it for a while?

For reference, I drive a 2016 Mustang and am happy with the Sync 3 Navigation on there even if it does lock out when driving.

Thanks!

 

[Gamma Ray]

I like it in general outside of the GPS functions. The GPS functions, if you decide to pay for them, work in a pinch, but I got an incredibly strange route one time. If I was to do it again, I'd skip paying for the built-in GPS and just use Android Auto. I would have saved a lot of money.

The big drawback of the 2020 system for me personally is the lack of a CD player. A lesser drawback is that they dropped the aux port, too. However, Android Auto is incredibly useful as a GPS, and it integrates well into the system. It's a tradeoff, for sure.

In general, I think it just works fine. It doesn't do any funny things. It's responsive enough. There are still a decent amount of physical controls, so you can do things the old fashioned way if you choose to do so. Some people rag on it, but I think it's fine. Maybe it's not the sexiest system, but it's plenty functional and shouldn't get on your nerves.

Just make sure you buy yourself a screen protector beforehand and ask the dealer not to clean the screen before you buy it. Definitely make sure the vehicle has a good condition screen, buy/lease/whatever it, and put the protector on before you even leave the lot. You'll save yourself some headaches. It arguably can make the screen more responsive, too.

If you don't have the software update that allows you to adjust volume while the startup warning screen is showing, make sure you get it. That was the only thing that annoyed me, but it got patched out.

 

[graysquirrel]

Love it.

I love it so far. It works and seems to route pretty quick. Toyota's has always worked for me and I like the easy to see graphics. I do love having the Apple carplay, so you have a back up GPS system with that if you ever need it.

Did a trip to Florida in June, and going from Texas to Florida it was interesting having it give you a Welcome to (NEW STATE) when you crossed the borders.

Just wondering how it will update in the fall when the next map comes out. I know it runs over the Toyota system, and my UPDATE MAP button is highlighted, but every time I played with it, it said it could not update at this time and to contact the dealer.

Love the new screen. Can see it now.

 

[Zjbond]

I love it and was the number one reason I decided to buy a 2020. Makes the truck interior look closer modern cars and trucks. I second the recommendation on the screen protector hadline about a week before I noticed a scratch and have been running a screen protector without issues ever since. AA is awesome and Google maps for waze it's far better than Toyota GPS.

Now if you could figure out a way to permanently remove the warning screen on startup I would pay for that. So dumb they forced that screen every time you start the vehicle.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[NVSteve]

I like it in general outside of the GPS functions. The GPS functions, if you decide to pay for them, work in a pinch, but I got an incredibly strange route one time.

I'm going to sound like a complete idiot here, but you have to "pay" for the GPS you purchased? All the other vehicles I've used with a GPS have it included for free-one just has to pay for the updates (if wanted).

And I'm assuming that only one device can be physically connected at a time still, such as a phone or thumbdrive?

 

[RusPro17]

So far I have been happy with mine. I do miss the CD player. Nothing sounds better than a digital cd disc. But I just use my Apple Music. Or my XM till it runs out. I don’t use the gps so much because I use my google maps thru it. With having unlimited data and my Apple Music is included.

 

[cb1111]

I'm going to sound like a complete idiot here, but you have to "pay" for the GPS you purchased? All the other vehicles I've used with a GPS have it included for free-one just has to pay for the updates (if wanted).

And I'm assuming that only one device can be physically connected at a time still, such as a phone or thumbdrive?

Same thing here. There is some additional crap that you can buy, but the nav works like any other nav.

 

[msp]

Hi,

I was just wondering for the 2020 owners out there if they were happy with the new Navigation system Toyota put in the 4Runner for the 2020 model year.

Most of the reviews on there for the 2014-2019 navigation units were either not positive or just kind of meh. The 2020 Navigation units look a lot better with the 8 inch screen, have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the initial reviews on Youtube seemed positive...however I was just wondering what people on here had to say after living with it for a while?

For reference, I drive a 2016 Mustang and am happy with the Sync 3 Navigation on there even if it does lock out when driving.

Thanks!

The head unit works as advertised. I use both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No problems. Even on the new iOS beta. I did put a screen protector on it. Some have complained about the screen scratching. If you get a 2020 or beyond, you don't get the choice of going back. Those older systems were very dated, but I never had any problems with the old units not working. My only beef with Toyota is that they continue to cheap out on the speakers unless you get JBL.

 

[ForRun]

Nothing sounds better than a digital cd disc. .

CD quality is 1413kbps. Tidal is king and even Amazon HD is better quality than cd. Even makes our crummy speakers sound good. when I've had high end audio in past rigs the jury was out for me, Flac is supposed to be best but Tidal is close....least to these old ears.
Took me awhile to give up my CD, then Ipod, then flash drive but streaming is the place to be
:drummer:

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Nah

 

[jct522]

I really like it so far. I like having Android Auto and Apple Carplay available too. So far, no complaints at all.

 

[pointman]

I like it in general outside of the GPS functions. The GPS functions, if you decide to pay for them, work in a pinch, but I got an incredibly strange route one time. If I was to do it again, I'd skip paying for the built-in GPS and just use Android Auto. I would have saved a lot of money.

The big drawback of the 2020 system for me personally is the lack of a CD player. A lesser drawback is that they dropped the aux port, too. However, Android Auto is incredibly useful as a GPS, and it integrates well into the system. It's a tradeoff, for sure.

In general, I think it just works fine. It doesn't do any funny things. It's responsive enough. There are still a decent amount of physical controls, so you can do things the old fashioned way if you choose to do so. Some people rag on it, but I think it's fine. Maybe it's not the sexiest system, but it's plenty functional and shouldn't get on your nerves.

Just make sure you buy yourself a screen protector beforehand and ask the dealer not to clean the screen before you buy it. Definitely make sure the vehicle has a good condition screen, buy/lease/whatever it, and put the protector on before you even leave the lot. You'll save yourself some headaches. It arguably can make the screen more responsive, too.

If you don't have the software update that allows you to adjust volume while the startup warning screen is showing, make sure you get it. That was the only thing that annoyed me, but it got patched out.

What factory gps are you paying to use? The Entune is free.

I love it and was the number one reason I decided to buy a 2020. Makes the truck interior look closer modern cars and trucks. I second the recommendation on the screen protector hadline about a week before I noticed a scratch and have been running a screen protector without issues ever since. AA is awesome and Google maps for waze it's far better than Toyota GPS.

Now if you could figure out a way to permanently remove the warning screen on startup I would pay for that. So dumb they forced that screen every time you start the vehicle.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

What protector did you go with?

Nah

Is that a 2020 4Runner?

 

[sheepdog812]

Having owned both a 2014 and now a 2020 I like the new unit along with the GPS much better. Haven't had any issues with wonky routing while using the GPS and it re-routes quickly. I'm not a big user of Android Auto (yet) and I Haven't had much of a chance to check out the functions. Overall a big improvement in my opinion.

 

[Gamma Ray]

What factory gps are you paying to use? The Entune is free.

Nah, not the built in GPS. Android Auto/Apple Carplay are free, but the built in GPS is part of the $1000+ premium audio/dynamic navigation package. (This is not the high end JBL audio stuff.) Build a 4Runner on the website and you'll see what I mean. I also spoke with a sales person who said to me that lots of people are opting to not have the built in GPS because of the new phone GPS connectivity features. And look at the "download details" PDF in the summary at the end of the build. It only mentions GPS and navigation in the fine print. It's not in the features of the vehicle.

 

[Vecsus]

I'm happy with mine but I literally have nothing to compare it to. I was in an 05 Tacoma with zero tech until I traded it for a 2020 4Runner ORP. What I really like is that Gaia now talks to CarPlay so I can use the app to download and follow tracks when offline.

 

[RusPro17]

My 17 Pro had the entune. As far as the audio side goes it does not even compare to my 2020 Pro JBL system. It comes with the navigation even tho I usually use my google maps on my iPhone.

 

[pointman]

Nah, not the built in GPS. Android Auto/Apple Carplay are free, but the built in GPS is part of the $1000+ premium audio/dynamic navigation package. (This is not the high end JBL audio stuff.) Build a 4Runner on the website and you'll see what I mean. I also spoke with a sales person who said to me that lots of people are opting to not have the built in GPS because of the new phone GPS connectivity features. And look at the "download details" PDF in the summary at the end of the build. It only mentions GPS and navigation in the fine print. It's not in the features of the vehicle.

I thought all 4Runners came with the built in navigation. I actually thought you were speaking of some new Toyota add-on with a subscription plan much like their annual fee for remote start.

 

[JerseyDevil]

With the Apple car play, if you have a smartphone you won’t be using the factory GPS. Apple Music, Amazon music, and podcasts take the place of regular radio stations for me. I don’t even mess with satellite radio during the free trial. Am I the only one who doesn’t want anything to do with satellite radio?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gamma Ray]

With the Apple car play, if you have a smartphone you won’t be using the factory GPS. Apple Music, Amazon music, and podcasts take the place of regular radio stations for me. I don’t even mess with satellite radio during the free trial. Am I the only one who doesn’t want anything to do with satellite radio?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I like my satellite radio. I also like not blowing through my cell phone data plan, too.

 

[arouth]

With the Apple car play, if you have a smartphone you won’t be using the factory GPS. Apple Music, Amazon music, and podcasts take the place of regular radio stations for me. I don’t even mess with satellite radio during the free trial. Am I the only one who doesn’t want anything to do with satellite radio?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I like satellite radio and have used it for years. I use things like Spotify too but it always feels like work to find songs I like vs scanning through the Sirius stations with music I like and typically listen too.

First world difference of opinion lol.