What’s new in Toyota’s latest infotainment system

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Infotainment systems help sell cars. Technologies attached to those systems are a major purchase decision factor in many demographics, and the best infotainment systems on the road today, even in relatively affordable models, are the ones that most closely match the experience shoppers are used to from their high-end tablets, smartphones and touch devices.

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My favourite systems among current mainstream models are from Ford and Volkswagen, thanks to some of the most animated, responsive and modern-looking display graphics in the game. For some time now, I’ve also appreciated the simple, informative and easy-to-use layouts of similar systems from Chrysler, Jeep, Kia and Hyundai.

In over fifteen years of reviewing cars, Toyota’s infotainment system has never been on my personal favourites list. It was only relatively recently that Toyota brought must-have connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality to market — in many cases, some years after many competitors had rolled these systems out widely.

As recently as 2019, test-driving a Toyota for review meant I had to find a different way to access the navigation, music, and connectivity functions I rely on in the way I wanted to access them (Android Auto, in my case).

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These features are widely available today, despite their relatively late arrival. And while the Toyota infotainment system is logical, easy to navigate and simple to use, its graphics and interfaces are limited and easily shown up by my more modern-looking favourites. As recently as this test drive of the 2022 Toyota Highlander, I was advising shoppers seeking a high-end infotainment experience that they had better options.

Specifically, many comparable systems offer more exciting on-screen functions, sharper graphics, and a more high-end experience that’s closer to what you’d expect when using a modern smartphone or tablet touch device.

For the sharpest graphics and most modern-looking and exciting displays, Toyota’s existing infotainment system was pretty easily outgunned. Color schemes are fairly plain, graphics are clear but not sharp, and there’s no effective attempt to excite the user by way of the system’s design or response. It does what it needs to do very simply, and that’s about it.

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Fortunately, Toyota has finally introduced this old system’s incoming replacement.

Available now in the 2022 Toyota Tundra and 2023 Toyota BZ4x, Toyota’s all-new audio multimedia system has made its first stops on a wider roll-out across the model range.

The widely improved system features advanced driver preference memory, improved Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that works to keep your driving environment seamlessly connected and clear of cords.

After a recent test drive of the 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited, I’ve now added version ‘2.0’ of Toyota’s infotainment system to my list of favourite systems this year.

Specifically, the matte-finish plastic screen on the old infotainment system is replaced with a glossy, high-definition surface that’s glare free, crystal clear, and feels smooth and solid beneath the driver’s fingertips. The feel of this surface allows fingertips to slip lightly over top for low-effort, high-precision control. There’s now little separating the tactile sensation and on-screen response between the Tundra’s new infotainment screen and the $800 tablet I use to edit photos.

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Where the surface of the outgoing infotainment system screen often used a matte-finish type screen that seemed to soften the graphics and conceal some up-close pixelation, the glossy, crystal-clear screen on the new unit allows the laser-sharp graphics beneath to shine right through. Everything is consistently visible from one side of the screen to the other—that distance coming out to 14 inches in the case of my Tundra tester’s massive display. The trade-off, however, is in more pronounced fingerprints.

Onscreen text and images are crisp and sharp around the edges, even on close inspection. Touch sensitivity is precise and responsive, allowing the driver to click through settings with a lighter touch, more confidence, and less second-guessing.

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Main menu functions are organized in a vertical bar to the screen’s left-hand side, next to the steering wheel. Even buried in three layers of submenus, a quick tap on the upper left home key brings you back to the home screen in a blink. And with the Tundra’s big-screen display, the size of the on-screen buttons (and space between them) make for even easier selection. Add in the glossy surface and high-resolution display output, and the system adds a high-end visual flair to the cabin, whether powered up or not.

An improved Bluetooth connection can handle up to five separate devices without disconnecting or reconnecting anyone’s handset. On my test drive, wireless Android Auto worked all but flawlessly after a 30 second, one-time setup. On two occasions over nine days, I had to send my phone to Airplane Mode for a moment to re-enable audio streaming. It otherwise works like a charm, and seeing your Spotify music selections on the big screen adds a little fun to the drive, too. And again, that’s wireless Android Auto — no cord required. With wireless smartphone charging, it’s easy to keep your driving environment clean and tidy, for less clutter and a neater look.

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Toyota’s latest infotainment system can also link to individual key fobs or smartphones to identify the driver at engine startup, and call their favourite settings into action automatically — right down to climate control temperature, screen display settings, music preferences, and more. Additional voice command functionality allows drivers to change audio settings, climate control settings, and more using natural language conversation after touching the voice-command button or saying “OK Toyota”.

Other functionalities including connected driving features, an intelligent assistant, and cloud-based navigation are available on a subscription basis if you like. If you aren’t subscribed, however, the home screen will default to prompt you to subscribe at every startup.

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Toyota Connect, the team behind the new infotainment system, says it lets Toyota jump into the future of automotive infotainment, and that customers are already receiving over-the-air software updates based on their feedback.

After a week with the new system, the first takeaway is what a massive leap the new system takes over the last generation in visual firepower and functionality, along with its ease of use and navigation.

Second, most shoppers will perceive greater value in the display graphics and polished screen finish, and the way it responds beneath their fingertips.

Third, key infotainment system pain points are reduced to near nil: initial pairing takes seconds, reconnecting takes seconds, and even pro users who flip through screens at a high rate of speed won’t see any lagging, choking, or slow-down.

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If you’ve been driving Toyotas for years and want your next car to bring a top-tier infotainment experience, you no longer have to leave the brand to find it.

At the moment, you’ll find the latest infotainment system in the 2022 Toyota Tundra, the all-electric BZ4x, and on the Lexus side, in the 2022 NX.

According to Toyota Canada, the following 2023 models will also receive the latest multimedia system, and even more are on the way.

• 2023 Corolla Cross Gas & Hybrid
• 2023 Corolla Sedan
• 2023 Corolla Hatchback
• 2023 GR Corolla
• 2023 RAV4 (line-wide)
• 2023 Highlander (gas and hybrid)
• 2023 bZ4X
• 2023 Sequoia