I noticed that in the media pictures. I'm not sure why they made a change. It could have been maintenance issues due to the mechanism or a cost cutting effort. I haven't heard either way.

 

I read somewhere that the 2013-2014 Limited used an older, slower, HDD based system for Navigation/Infotainment. When the 2015's came out, Toyota touted that the new models would receive revised infotainment systems across the trims.

FWIW, I've never used the CD in my 2014, and I find the system plenty fast and easy to use compared to other manufacturer's Infotainment (cough slow Ford Sync cough.)

 

I was told that there were frequent updates to the Navigation for my Limited Hybrid Avalon 2014. Now I find that they're not FREE as insinuated by the sales personnel at my dealer. What gives? The version is 2013 and now it's almost 2016 and a lot of new roads got finished during this period. WAZE is right on the ball with updates.

 

A $200 Garmin comes with free lifetime updates.

One would think that a $1000 option from Toyota could do that. Oh well.

The sales people are confused. The firmware update for the system is free, but not the maps. They don't seem to understand there is a difference.

 

A $200 Garmin comes with free lifetime updates.

One would think that a $1000 option from Toyota could do that. Oh well.

Conspiracy theory: Garmin stuck a deal with automakers so their navigators would be lame enough to allow Garmin to thrive. >

 

My 2014 Avalon XLE Touring has the CD above the Navigation, not behind it.

 

Might be they are having issues with the original design. I've used my cd player a couple of times and once, when it was opening, it stuck on the chrome plastic strip above it. It didn't damage anything, but Toyota might getting complaints and decided it wasn't worth the warranty costs so they just redesigned it.