Will Toyota ever update old head unit?

[Myriad]

So my brother’s Mazda 3 is a couple years old, and the head unit does not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The newest model now does, and Mazda offered to upgrade the software on his older unit to match. I think he said it would cost $350. He asked if he should do it. My jaw dropped and I said I would do it in a heartbeat. I drive a 2017 86 with no Apple CarPlay and would love to have it, if only just to have the navigation. I couldn’t bring myself to spend over $900 for the NAV model upgrade they offer now. What are the chances the Toyota 2020 model year will offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on the same radio and give us the same type of offer? Many of their new model years are slowly adopting it, but had anyone ever heard of Toyota updating older stuff like Mazda does?

Myriad

[soundman98]

even better, change the head unit for an aftermarket model that supports carplay.

one of the major reasons an 86 is in my garage is because i can pull the radio and the rest of the car still works. most don't anymore.

[Mr.ac]

Will Toyota do an update? LOL duck no.

If you want apple or android car play your way, way better off buying an aftermarket head unit.

[86MLR]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Will Toyota do an update? LOL duck no.

If you want apple or android car play your way, way better off buying an aftermarket head unit.

Can you get them so that you don't lose any of the current features/steering wheel controls.

The GPS in the car is atrocious, I would seriously swap it out for google maps in a second, if I didn't lose anything that is.

I'm not really interested in the music side of things, the Bluetooth thingie works well enough.

I have had a google but I'm not down with most of the terminology that people use when it comes to head units.

Thanks for the advice

Be gentle, and talk slowly

[Kaotic Lazagna]

They have adapters where it allows you to retain steering wheel control functions. You just have to make sure that the aftermarket HU is compatible with it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by 86MLR

Can you get them so that you don't lose any of the current features/steering wheel controls.

Yes. I realize you are in Australia but if you go to www.Crutchfield.com they are very good at listing what will and won't function in your car.

A couple of years ago I changed out the one in my 2004 Chevy Suburban. It now has a backup camera, full Bluetooth and Android support (technically also has Apple but I don't do Apple) as well as retained all the steering wheel controls and the audio warning sounds ( the Suburban used the radio for most of the alert beeps).

Crutchfield had all the parts, sold it as a package and I was able to install it all in about 3 hours. If you can't order from them it will at least give you an idea of what can be done.

[Myriad]

We are all well aware that we can put in an aftermarket head unit, that wasn’t the question. Some of us like having things stock and don’t feel like jury rigging the new steering wheel controls, back up camera, etc. Since Mazda has now shown that they will do a software update, I’m asking if Toyota will do the same? Has this happened for any other models? It would certainly be cheaper than a new unit with installation costs. I’ve heard Toyota might browse these boards once in a while to get customer feedback. Toyota, if you’re listening, make it happen.

Myriad

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Myriad

We are all well aware that we can put in an aftermarket head unit, that wasn’t the question. Some of us like having things stock and don’t feel like jury rigging the new steering wheel controls, back up camera, etc. Myriad

It really is jury rigging, they work like OEM if done correctly, but I understand where you are going. My biggest reason for not replacing mine is the screen width, which isn't available from any 3rd party in the US, although I understand you can import one.

I can speak to the '14 US Pioneer (I have it in my '13). There is no real feature update for it. Toyota offers a map update that is stupid expensive. The quote I had was $160 US for the license and an hour of shop time for tech. They won't release it to you to do it yourself.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Myriad

We are all well aware that we can put in an aftermarket head unit, that wasn’t the question. Some of us like having things stock and don’t feel like jury rigging the new steering wheel controls, back up camera, etc. Since Mazda has now shown that they will do a software update, I’m asking if Toyota will do the same? Has this happened for any other models? It would certainly be cheaper than a new unit with installation costs. I’ve heard Toyota might browse these boards once in a while to get customer feedback. Toyota, if you’re listening, make it happen.

Myriad

I would not expect any updates. Also unless you have a headunit with the GPS antenna and other odds and ends it isn't just a matter of changing the software.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Myriad

We are all well aware that we can put in an aftermarket head unit, that wasn’t the question. Some of us like having things stock and don’t feel like jury rigging the new steering wheel controls, back up camera, etc. Since Mazda has now shown that they will do a software update, I’m asking if Toyota will do the same? Has this happened for any other models? It would certainly be cheaper than a new unit with installation costs. I’ve heard Toyota might browse these boards once in a while to get customer feedback. Toyota, if you’re listening, make it happen.

Myriad

It's not jury rigged if it's a plug and play solution that just works... there are lots of options out there for head units that work better than stock with all the OEM functionality.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by wparsons

It's not jury rigged if it's a plug and play solution that just works... there are lots of options out there for head units that work better than stock with all the OEM functionality.

I had a $400 pioneer in mine and then a $300 Android headunit. Now I'm back with the stock 2013 BRZ radio. Unless you're spending $1000 on a headunit the aftermarket ones suck from an integration and ergonomics standpoint.

I have yet to find one that
1: fits the Toyota 200mm opening properly
2: has car play with a capacitive touch screen. I would also settle for AAC codec supported BT streaming
3: doesn't look like this:
https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2ff...3cfbb7175.jpeg

[NARFALICIOUS]

Originally Posted by Myriad

I’m asking if Toyota will do the same? Has this happened for any other models?

No. No.

[Myriad]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I would not expect any updates. Also unless you have a headunit with the GPS antenna and other odds and ends it isn't just a matter of changing the software.

That’s the beauty of CarPlay and Android Auto, they use the phone’s gps and data, and those maps are always up to date instead of a built in NAV unit that is static in time (unless you pay for an update). It’s also free (or already paid for on your phone’s data plan), unlike a NAV subscription.

I guess I’m just jealous that Mazda is taking care of their older customers and Toyota is not. So far MY 2017, 18, and 19 are same head units. I’m holding out hope that if the 2020 is the same radio with a CarPlay software update then they might throw us older owners a bone too. Mazda has set the precedent. One by one the other Toyotas are adopting, and I was wondering if any other models had any similar deal. It appears from the responses that is not the case. Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Myriad

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

1: fits the Toyota 200mm opening properly

That's the one there is no good answer for in this. The others can be worked around, including cost.