How good are Subaru's gadgets - nav, bluetooth, satellite radio, etc.

[Turbowned]

These questions are best directed at those with newer Subaru owners who have experience but: I'm wondering how great all the electronic systems might work together in the new BRZ, based on how they work in the current models. Let me preface this:

I'm used to getting in my Audi, having Sirius/XM come on, clicking "NAV", punching in a nav destination and hitting start, and pushing a button for voice command to speak out the name of a telephone contact on my iPhone, all at the same time. The music stops when the call is initiated, and comes back on when the call is finished. I have the option to leave navigation commands on or turn them off during a call. I can also set the level at which the radio volume is dimmed for each navigation command. My iPhone syncs up with Bluetooth every time I get in the car, and pulls up all my contacts including dialed, missed, received calls and voicemail. These features all work very well, and for the most part, in perfect harmony.

When I first decided to get the BRZ Limited, I was happy knowing that the Subie had all the same features as my Audi. However the other day, after spending 10mins. setting up my girlfriend's Outback to use Bluetooth and finding that you have to manually input contacts to use with voice command, it left me wondering just how well all the systems might work in the new BRZ. Here's some questions which may or may not be answerable:

1. Will the system pull up my phonebook and allow me to scroll through it on the touchscreen?

2. If so, can I dial by voice without programming in specific contacts?

3. To use my iPod, is there any way to link my folders to the touchscreen via Bluetooth/aux input, or do I have to physically manipulate the iPod to select folders/playlists?

4. Does the nav/stereo unit have a hard drive to import media to it? I have the ability to import ~2,000 songs to my Audi's "jukebox"

5. Does the voice command have any functions for the navigation system? (ex. "find gas, next restaurant, etc.")

6. Is there a Sirius/XM traffic report available and does it have any connection with the navigation system (can the traffic info be taken into account to re-route me away from a traffic situation)?

I never thought I would've cared to have any of this crap in a lightweight sports car, but now that I have all this tech, I don't want to live without it! Tragic, no? Anyhow, any help is appreciated. Thanks guys!

[OrbitalEllipses]

Ask someone who has NAV in their 2012 Impreza, should be the same unit. Better yet, test one out at the dealership?

[tranzformer]

Another option is to go to nasioc and read posts regarding the unit.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Another option is to go to nasioc and read posts regarding the unit.

See, now that's some three-dimensional thinking right there, hot damn!

[MmmHamSandwich]

I'd also like to know more about the navigation's media and bluetooth capabilities. I can say based on the information on Subaru's site it sounds pretty much like a sure thing that the navi will have XM traffic, albeit at $4 a month...

[superhappyfunfun]

Here is the manual for the WRX/Forester navigation system which is probably the same as the one in the BRZ. Hope it helps!

Foreword:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_1.pdf

Read First:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_2.pdf

Table of Contents:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_3.pdf

Introduction:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_4.pdf

Navigation:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_5.pdf

Audio and Visual:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_6.pdf

Other Operations:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_7.pdf

Reference:
http://techinfo.subaru.com/proxy/657...1122BE-A_8.pdf

[Subaruwrxfan]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

1. Will the system pull up my phonebook and allow me to scroll through it on the touchscreen?

2. If so, can I dial by voice without programming in specific contacts?

3. To use my iPod, is there any way to link my folders to the touchscreen via Bluetooth/aux input, or do I have to physically manipulate the iPod to select folders/playlists?

4. Does the nav/stereo unit have a hard drive to import media to it? I have the ability to import ~2,000 songs to my Audi's "jukebox"

5. Does the voice command have any functions for the navigation system? (ex. "find gas, next restaurant, etc.")

6. Is there a Sirius/XM traffic report available and does it have any connection with the navigation system (can the traffic info be taken into account to re-route me away from a traffic situation)?

I never thought I would've cared to have any of this crap in a lightweight sports car, but now that I have all this tech, I don't want to live without it! Tragic, no? Anyhow, any help is appreciated. Thanks guys!

I'm used to Audi's system as well and would like something similar. Here's the questions I can answer just based on stuff I read about this unit:

3. I remember seeing a picture someone took of a Rep's BRZ and it was displaying all of his iPod's playlists in the head unit menu, along with the same options the iPod gives you (filter by artist, album, genre, etc.). It also displayed album art. His iPod was physically connected though, so I can't guarantee that it will be the same via Bluetooth but I would hope that it would be.

4. No hard drive. Even the map data is based on an SD card.

5. In the whole Aha Radio functionality you can look for restaurants and coffee shops, and gas stations, and it will pull data via the smartphone. Even my 2006 Subaru navigation had POI (Points of Interest) that allow you to look up various places. Whether or not this can be voice controlled I don't know, but if I remember correctly, more recent Subaru Navs do have some voice input for these (but I'm almost certain the accuracy of understanding your voice won't be as good as Audi's.)

6. The head unit has XM Radio and I am pretty sure I remember reading that the car will have XM NavTraffic as well, free for the first year on all Subarus.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by Subaruwrxfan

6. The head unit has XM Radio and I am pretty sure I remember reading that the car will have XM NavTraffic as well, free for the first year on all Subarus.

I thought it was only 4 months or maybe that's just for the XM Sat Radio portion itself?

[Subaruwrxfan]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I thought it was only 4 months or maybe that's just for the XM Sat Radio portion itself?

Just looked it up, you are correct, I must have been getting it confused with the Audi

[ShoGun]

4. No hard drive. Even the map data is based on an SD card.

I wonder if we can buy a larger SD card, copy the GPS data, and fill the remaining space with other media..

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by ShoGun

I wonder if we can buy a larger SD card, copy the GPS data, and fill the remaining space with other media..

I asked that earlier, but no one ever answered.

[Oriental Life]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I asked that earlier, but no one ever answered.

If its anything like other systems I worked with, card will be locked and will have ID tag on it. Replace the card - loose navigation. You can still clone it, but it will be a paid in the a-hole to make it read other content from the same mount.

Don't count on it. Subaru nav is usually bad. Just as XM(Pioneer) integration.

[brianbot5000]

I wouldn't say Subaru is known for their gadgets and infotainment systems. And, comparing them to a $40k Audi is probably not a fair comparison - the Audi systems are pretty nice from what I've seen riding along in various friends' A4's and S4's. Going from that to the Suby will be a definite downgrade.

[Turbowned]

Originally Posted by brianbot5000

I wouldn't say Subaru is known for their gadgets and infotainment systems. And, comparing them to a $40k Audi is probably not a fair comparison - the Audi systems are pretty nice from what I've seen riding along in various friends' A4's and S4's. Going from that to the Suby will be a definite downgrade.

Yes, I knew it wouldn't be a fair comparison but it doesn't necessarily take a $40k+ luxury car to have good electronics these days. Audi's MMI is definitely the best media interface I have come into contact with; it blows away BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti and all the others. I knew this would be a downgrade but I was just trying to gauge how much of a downgrade it might be; as in, if it were going to be really bad, I wouldn't waste my money on a Limited trim. I've also heard Subie's auto climate control isn't really that "auto", which is also disappointing because Audi's climate control is excellent. However I'm buying a car that costs $25k less than the Audi I'm leasing, so it is what it is.