So why did you buy it? Did you not look at it? Sit in it? Drive it? Or did you place an order, wait what feels like a year, only to be disappointed because you did not do any research, look at it, sit in it, or even drive it?

 

Well yes, it was a couple of month wait... yes I sat in it. Having owned three previous Highlanders there's a bit of an assumption that some thing were similar or the same. Things like the MP3 player in the USB slot not having controls isn't something you'd find in a test drive. Nor is the fact that the MP3 Bluetooth suddenly doesn't work when you put the car in gear and begin moving. When it works fine as the salesman is showing you the functions, you assume it works.

What "research" would have told me the MP3 player doesn't work when you're moving?? What "research" would have told me that the cruise control jerks the vehicle down 10 miles an hour when you start down a hill? "research" wouldn't have told me anything about a vehicle that is just now being produced. There's a bit of an assumption that a four year newer version of the vehicle you've had (I have used three previous Highlanders) would be improved... not downscaled.

 

Well, you can download the manuals and browse the reviews and forums too. On the cruise control you can lessen or remove the deceleration for curves. I play MP3s from USB so I'm not sure what you mean about "control screens". I mean it seems to work better than my previous vehicle did for that, though it's quite possible that another vehicle does that even better.

USB-C is the cool new thing. (To the point that some people were contemplating spending $80 to replace the 2021 port with the 2022 port, but to each his own on that.)

Sounds like you're another candidate for the removing the charger thread. Seems like a pretty popular mod.

 

I play MP3s from USB so I'm not sure what you mean about "control screens". I mean it seems to work better than my previous vehicle did for that, though it's quite possible that another vehicle does that even better.

The 2018 had a complete interface for the USB to use MP3s. You could view all the files within a folder, jump from folder to folder, scroll through all the files individually. The 2022 version does offer you the play/stop/pause/ff functions of the previous version, but only lets you jump to the very next file.... Pointing this out as a "miss" for the updated version, I was just pointing out that newer isn't better. The previous version was far superior.

 

once you realize the climate control screen NEVER GOES AWAY!

Exactly the reason I went with an 8 inch and upgraded to an aftermarket unit. You can't even put an aftermarket in the 12 inch dash.

 

We have a 2008 Highlander base and a 2021 platinum. I love both vehicles and as I’m more of a tech person I can appreciate the extra safety features. Some people just don’t like them which is why you have to meticulously test drive it. I drove 4 other vehicles before even deciding that the Highlander was the pick. Then I test drove it about 4 times before fully committing to the purchase. You just can’t rush the process with buying a car or else you’ll have buyers remorse and constantly be frustrated.

 

Buying a car is like buying a phone. Except it isn't.

 

I'm assuming the OP has the 12" screen, which is similar to the one in my Venza. I initially bemoaned the fact that I couldn't extend Apple CarPlay across the entire screen (which I knew prior to purchasing since most of the YouTube reviews called it out as a flaw).

However, I've grown to prefer it that way. I can keep the screen that shows the status of my hybrid system or what song is playing while running navigation via Apple CarPlay on the remaining 2/3 of the screen.

 

I'm assuming the OP has the 12" screen, which is similar to the one in my Venza. I initially bemoaned the fact that I couldn't extend Apple CarPlay across the entire screen (which I knew prior to purchasing since most of the YouTube reviews called it out as a flaw).

However, I've grown to prefer it that way. I can keep the screen that shows the status of my hybrid system or what song is playing while running navigation via Apple CarPlay on the remaining 2/3 of the screen.

12" screens and Nav in both the Platinum and Venza.

Nothing wrong and no flaw in an 8" size Nav in either, plenty of room for showing maps or routes. Built in Nav with 3D vivid color, upcoming IS road signage and detailed exit services is easier to read and more convenient than cell phone map apps. The extra 4" of real estate is welcome in the Venzas so that you can cruise local parking lots and my hilly residential development under 20 mph in ICE off/EV mode while keeping an eye on battery status. On the HiPlatinum the swap-able extra 4" touch screen when used for climate control at eye level saves screwing around with the more difficult to reach pushbuttons/readouts below.

 

SO many misses on the new 2022. So many, that I wish I had kept my 2018 Highlander. Just to name a few frustrations with the new stereo, dashboard and normal driving functions:

Toyota is pretty consistent and I would have made the same assumptions as someone who has purchased 3 Highlanders. Each purchase was an upgrade in comfort and safety features over the previous model. I was in the market for a new Highlander but these are sufficient reasons to avoid the 2022 model. Thanks for sharing and help others avoid the same assumptions!

 

Not discounting the OP's issues with his 2022 Highlander, but it's really just a testament to the importance of spending ample time with the vehicle prior to purchasing. Yes, it is more difficult to do this these days with the lack of inventory on the lots, but it doesn't reduce the importance.

I almost made the same mistake buying a Tesla Model Y without actually seeing one in person. I pre-ordered, before production started, having test-driven a Model 3. Fortunately, I delayed my order long enough for the local Tesla store to get a demo unit. And I'm glad I did...wasn't very happy with the visibility out the sides or rear, the road noise, or the ride quality. Build quality was abysmal. Relying on the touchscreen to turn on the wipers was crazy (rain-sensing was a "beta" function and acted like one).

 

DIfferent brand and model but same idea.... many moons ago I used to drive an Acura Integra. When I got it up to 400k miles it was time for something newer... I drove 5 hours to buy the 'replacement' for the Integra, an RSX, sight unseen. It looked very very spiffy compared to the Integra. However it did not drive well on our crummy roads; I ended up trading it in on my brand new 09 Corolla XRS (maybe I really like those 3 letters) and lost a good chunk of $$ doing it. Never looked back though, the Corolla has been a champ.

Before I bought the Corolla I did multiple test drives of Sentra, Civic, Mazda 3, and Corolla... really wanted to make sure I was buying what I ACTUALLY wanted, and to ensure there wasn't going to be any surprise from trying to buy sight unseen. I wouldn't buy that way again, regardless of the market.

 

Issue is with all these buyers regret is that they have all been seemingly bought sight unseen.

 

I know it's a little harder to do these days but I have never purchased a vehicle without at least renting one for a week or informing the dealer I'm taking this car for the weekend and I'll let you know if I'm going to purchase this model on Monday. I have even gone so far as walking the neighborhood to see if there's one I could ask someone about. Vehicles especially now cost way too much to just take a 30 min test drive and say let's do the paperwork.

Downloading the manuals and seeing if there are any videos and forums on what you are thinking of purchasing would be a great start. I just got done looking at reviews, manuals, and such still trying to decide on a cam for my truck.

Another user that has now after the purchase comes here to complain but should have in the months before the actual purchase should have searched and logged in to see what others have said.

 

Sorry to hear the OP is so disappointed with the purchase. Not sure if you're open to any discusson or not at this point, but if you are...

The 2022 may have 50% more screen space than the 2018, but the 2018 was actually USABLE space.... the new one is no larger at all once you realize the climate control screen NEVER GOES AWAY!
-Why do we need a third of the screen filled with repetitious data? I don't need a duplicate climate control screen just above the climate controls... so the nav screen is the same size as the 2018!

Yeah, that was a common complaint as soon as the 2020 hit the roads. 1/3 of the 12" screen is wasted most of the time by that little panel for climate control or the other silly things it can do. It looks like they were trying to make the 8" software compatible with the 12" software, so most of the screens are the same except for the birds eye 360 camera, which does fill the whole screen.

-Why did you do away with letting the user access MP3s from their phone through bluetooth? OH, I forgot. You can see them - but you can't actually change or use them while driving. So.... play a song, ... pull off the highway... park... change your MP3 to a new one... put the car in gear again... get back on the highway. VERY Convenient!

That's working fine for me. For years, I've had song files on my iPhone. The iPhone is paired with the car for both phone calls and audio, and I leave the audio source on Bluetooth all the time. I have full control over changing tracks at any time. I have to use the phone to change playlists, but I can change songs with the car's controls (steering wheel and seek knob). Maybe there's something there that you can fix. The strange thing I noticed right away is that the system hides the album cover art whenever the car is moving, because somehow that's a major distraction to driving. I wound up shutting off the album cover pics since it was useless most of the time anyway.

-Why did you use both USB3 and USB2 jacks... making us have to carry both cables?

That's new for 2022. Because some people are already running around with both cables. It's impossible to please everyone. Now if you don't have USB-C, the perception is that you're in the dark ages.

-Where did the control screens for using MP3s on a memory stick go? Poof! Gone! Now that's unusable too.

You just clarified that above. Not quite "Gone", but different from Entune 2.0.

-What's going on with the cruise control????

How do you have the car-to-car distance set? If it's set for "short", not only do you ride closer to the car in front of you, but the system also reacts a lot more swiftly to a change when it decides that's necessary.

-Who was the genus that put the extra obstacle in front of a driver when they try to reach into the armrest?? OH, a power supply for your phone... that doesn't fit any phone we own. Yeah, that helps. Since that obstacle doesn't go anywhere but straight up, try reaching into the armrest to get anything. Worthless!!

They were a moron. Agreed. The Qi charger seems like a total afterthought by being located where it is. That's another thing that has been a complaint since day one. There are a couple of threads around here about removing it; it's not that hard.

 

Sorry to hear the OP is so disappointed with the purchase. Not sure if you're open to any discusson or not at this point, but if you are...


Yeah, that was a common complaint as soon as the 2020 hit the roads. 1/3 of the 12" screen is wasted most of the time by that little panel for climate control or the other silly things it can do. It looks like they were trying to make the 8" software compatible with the 12" software, so most of the screens are the same except for the birds eye 360 camera, which does fill the whole screen.

That's working fine for me. For years, I've had song files on my iPhone. The iPhone is paired with the car for both phone calls and audio, and I leave the audio source on Bluetooth all the time. I have full control over changing tracks at any time. I have to use the phone to change playlists, but I can change songs with the car's controls (steering wheel and seek knob). Maybe there's something there that you can fix. The strange thing I noticed right away is that the system hides the album cover art whenever the car is moving, because somehow that's a major distraction to driving. I wound up shutting off the album cover pics since it was useless most of the time anyway.

That's new for 2022. Because some people are already running around with both cables. It's impossible to please everyone. Now if you don't have USB-C, the perception is that you're in the dark ages.

You just clarified that above. Not quite "Gone", but different from Entune 2.0.

How do you have the car-to-car distance set? If it's set for "short", not only do you ride closer to the car in front of you, but the system also reacts a lot more swiftly to a change when it decides that's necessary.

They were a moron. Agreed. The Qi charger seems like a total afterthought by being located where it is. That's another thing that has been a complaint since day one. There are a couple of threads around here about removing it; it's not that hard.

Thanks for your notes... Balanced response and I agree. You're probably on track.

Yes, I use USB C in many of my computers. Just odd that both are there, causing you to have to switch cables to use Appleplay or other functions when using the USB stick for MP3s too.

I'll have to look into why my Highlander shuts off any on screen use of MP3 through bluetooth. But in my unit, all the functions go gray when you put the car in gear.... so be happy with the song you're on - you can't change it while moving. IF anyone knows that this is a changeable function PLEASE let me know!!

As for the Entire 2.0, yes. It's had an extreme downscale of functions, making it far less user friendly and even usable. Fortunately I travel a great deal so I listen to audio books from the USB port, that don't need much changing. Just didn't want someone who uses it as a way of listening to music and podcasts to think they'd have the same control as the prior versions.

The Qi charger is one of those misses that truly is annoying. If it was an option or something that could be removed, that would have been far better.

 

SO many misses on the new 2022. So many, that I wish I had kept my 2018 Highlander. Just to name a few frustrations with the new stereo, dashboard and normal driving functions:

The 2022 may have 50% more screen space than the 2018, but the 2018 was actually USABLE space.... the new one is no larger at all once you realize the climate control screen NEVER GOES AWAY!

-Who's the genus that left a simple distance scale out of the Navigation system?
-Why doesn't the Nav system show the names of major cities on the screen? (The 2018 did!) But I now know where every national park and observatory is located.... that does show up on the navigation system.
-Why do we need a third of the screen filled with repetitious data? I don't need a duplicate climate control screen just above the climate controls... so the nav screen is the same size as the 2018!
-Why did you do away with letting the user access MP3s from their phone through bluetooth? OH, I forgot. You can see them - but you can't actually change or use them while driving. So.... play a song, ... pull off the highway... park... change your MP3 to a new one... put the car in gear again... get back on the highway. VERY Convenient!
-Why did you use both USB3 and USB2 jacks... making us have to carry both cables?
-Where did the control screens for using MP3s on a memory stick go? Poof! Gone! Now that's unusable too.
-What's going on with the cruise control???? Seriously? Slows down 10 miles an hour every time you hit a curve, every time you go down hill, every time you go up hill?? Why? Its utterly unusable until you bypass the radar system completely and just use old school cruise control. Believe it or not, some of us live in parts of the world where there are curves, uphill and downhill roads.
-What's with all the JERKING when you DO use the radar cruise?? Hit a curve and you might find the vehicle lurch unexpectedly as it drops speed so fast you'll be thrown from your seat. SOOO annoying!!
-Who was the genus that put the extra obstacle in front of a driver when they try to reach into the armrest?? OH, a power supply for your phone... that doesn't fit any phone we own. Yeah, that helps. Since that obstacle doesn't go anywhere but straight up, try reaching into the armrest to get anything. Worthless!!

So now I have a vehicle with a cruise control that you have to bypass and a stereo that is nothing but an AM FM radio. I had that in my 1978 Vega!

1/2. Navi isn't the best I agree but there are other solutions out there such as Google Maps or Wyaze (sp?).
3. If you had test drove the Highlander you would have seen this or checked the YT vehicle channels on the first release of Gen4 (2020) you would have noticed that was one of the complaints.
4. The new vehicle was desinged with safety in mind, not being able to take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road to figure out which MP3 song to play next is a safety feature.
5. USB3 and 2 jacks, are you kidding us? By one type of cable it will work in both jacks.
6. Gen4 (2020+) is a different vehicle all together likely it wasn't possible to add the MP3 memor stick option.
7. Cruise control, again Gen4 (2020+) was made with safety features in mind. Slowing down while you go down a hill is a good thing, the last thing you want a cop busting your ass for speeding!
8. radar cruise hitting a curve, that's new, maybe your going too fast? Instead of doing the 60 or 70mph your doing 100mph? The vehicle has to calculate making its around the curve safely at the a safe speed.
9. A power supply for your phone in the 2022 armrest? I have 2020 and don't have such a feature. lol
10. Your stereo should have Apple Car Play and Android Audio that you can use to play audio, I am fortunate to have access to a lib on Plex.

But it does sosund like you need to make a list the next you buy a vehicle of what you want it to have, your must haves. This way you can decided if you need to shop for a Ford or GM vehicle instead of Toyota.

 

1/2. Navi isn't the best I agree but there are other solutions out there such as Google Maps or Wyaze (sp?).
3. If you had test drove the Highlander you would have seen this or checked the YT vehicle channels on the first release of Gen4 (2020) you would have noticed that was one of the complaints.
4. The new vehicle was desinged with safety in mind, not being able to take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road to figure out which MP3 song to play next is a safety feature.
5. USB3 and 2 jacks, are you kidding us? By one type of cable it will work in both jacks.
6. Gen4 (2020+) is a different vehicle all together likely it wasn't possible to add the MP3 memor stick option.
7. Cruise control, again Gen4 (2020+) was made with safety features in mind. Slowing down while you go down a hill is a good thing, the last thing you want a cop busting your ass for speeding!
8. radar cruise hitting a curve, that's new, maybe your going too fast? Instead of doing the 60 or 70mph your doing 100mph? The vehicle has to calculate making its around the curve safely at the a safe speed.
9. A power supply for your phone in the 2022 armrest? I have 2020 and don't have such a feature. lol
10. Your stereo should have Apple Car Play and Android Audio that you can use to play audio, I am fortunate to have access to a lib on Plex.

But it does sosund like you need to make a list the next you buy a vehicle of what you want it to have, your must haves. This way you can decided if you need to shop for a Ford or GM vehicle instead of Toyota.

A test drive would not have shown that major cities along a route don't show up. Unless of course your test drive is 100 miles from the dealership. What's the point of a 12 inch screen if you still have to pull your phone out to use google maps or other options?? or sit for a few minutes, fumbling cords and connections, apps and starts to use the highly awkward Apple play interface.??

Safety is one thing... land departure, proximity alerts etc... but grow up. If the highway is DESIGNED for 70, I don't need to be forced down to 60 when you hit a curve or hill. The adults in the room know the roads are designed for those speeds and accusing me of driving too fast is pretty childish and misses the point.

Apple Play is there, but again, getting in and out of the car, it's a dozen added steps from the 2018 where Bluetooth worked fine with all the functions needed.

 

Ahh, OK. You can change songs while moving, you can't change album/artist/playlist. It sounded like you couldn't change anything while moving.

 

Toyota fuel lights always turns on around 3 gallons remaining.

 

Hmm, I thought you could jump to the next album and next artist as well. (I don’t do this normally when driving though, so I could be wrong.) I did notice that while not driving, you get a menu interface, but while driving, you can just go forward and backward, though like I said, I thought you could jump forward and back at each "level". This is apparently is in the name of driver distraction. I do wonder if changing the interface is truly less distracting, but, it's better than my previous car in either case. (It too could only jump forward and back while driving or parked and wasn't as friendly otherwise.)

Looking at my manual now (2021) and it does show: M to change the artist, K to change the folder/album and I to select the file/track. (So I think it can be done, though it doesn't seem any less distracting to do it this way vs the menu hierarchy that you can use while parked.)

By the way, in the last few decades, I've found that each new phone, app, or car, makes different use of folders and mp3 tags, so I've gotten used to using the free mp3tag program to adjust the files as needed. It has actions that you can define and perform across thousands of files/folders at once. Many sources are also inconsistent in their use of tags and a program like this can easily clean up a lot of stuff.

I haven't actually seen my gas light so I can't say on that one. I usually fill up with the distance to empty gets close to zero and that does happen before the light comes on. The manual on my 2021 says that it comes on with 2.6 gallons left (91 miles on my hybrid model). If your manual says that as well, and you ran out in 13 miles, then I think a dealer visit is in order.

 

Like the OP here, I am also somewhat disappointed every time I drive my '22 HiHy Platinum ($51,000+) (We have owned three previous Highlanders that we loved) I posted about it here Made mistake and got some great and helpful responses.
Yes, I fell victim to the current crazy car market, and bought after only a 20 mile or so test drive. I usually go back for several test drives, compare competing brands back to back, and do lots of research online. This was just not possible this time. I accept 90% of the blame. I watched numerous video reviews, like Alex on Autos etc. They don't always address the items I find important, or are potential deal breakers for me. Actually, I don't always know what my triggers are until I find them in the new car. The worst for me on this car? The extremely poor lane centering/keeping/beeping feature of the '22 Highlander. And the Android Auto that doesn't work like it is supposed to for hands-free texting. Another one? The loud POP when opening the front passenger door, which seems to be "a thing", as others here have reported it. Dealer isn't able to fix the last two, the lane centering is designed that way, and is far inferior to any other brand I have driven. I just found this quote in Edmunds "..we found the lane departure warning too sensitive and the lane centering ineffective at highway speeds." Wish I had read that before purchase.

Everyone has different tolerances and things that bother them. Life is too short to drive a car everyday that causes stress. There is enough of that in the world these days that we can't control. We don't need added stress in our new MOST expensive vehicles!

I am still evaluating my options, and may trade it for something else.

 

Like the OP here, I am also somewhat disappointed every time I drive my '22 HiHy Platinum ($51,000+) (We have owned three previous Highlanders that we loved) I posted about it here Made mistake and got some great and helpful responses.
Yes, I fell victim to the current crazy car market, and bought after only a 20 mile or so test drive. I usually go back for several test drives, compare competing brands back to back, and do lots of research online. This was just not possible this time. I accept 90% of the blame. I watched numerous video reviews, like Alex on Autos etc. They don't always address the items I find important, or are potential deal breakers for me. Actually, I don't always know what my triggers are until I find them in the new car. The worst for me on this car? The extremely poor lane centering/keeping/beeping feature of the '22 Highlander. And the Android Auto that doesn't work for hands-free texting. Another one? The loud POP when opening the front passenger door, which seems to be "a thing", as others here have reported it. Dealer isn't able to fix the last two, the lane centering is designed that way, and is far inferior to any other brand I have driven. I just found this quote in Edmunds "..we found the lane departure warning too sensitive and the lane centering ineffective at highway speeds." Wish I had read that before purchase.

Everyone has different tolerances and things that bother them. Life is too short to drive a car everyday that causes stress. There is enough of that in the world these days that we can't control. We don't need added stress in our new MOST expensive vehicles!

I am still evaluating my options, and may trade it for something else.

As long as you understood your actions then you can better decide what to do before the next purchase.

 

Oddly enough only on my Tesla Model Y test drive did I feel constrained for time, since they told me it was scheduled to go out again in an hour. I test drove 3 highlanders and a Venza at 3 dealers and never had a sales person in the car. When we talked about how long I could drive one of them, the sales person said "We close at 8 so before then please". That was about 7 hours away. This was during the pandemic so I'm sure sales people didn't really want to be in the car, anyway. Of course, that car I had to test drive for ~7 hours sold over the phone while I was driving it, but I didn't plan to buy that specific car anyway!

 

My dealer only had a used '21 to test drive and it was the V6, not the hybrid.

I need to learn more about Android Auto. I prefer to just connect the phone w/ Bluetooth, not actually use a cord. The 2022 Highlander is the first car we'll have w/ a touchscreen.

EDIT: 2 coworkers & I rented a '20 or '21 Sienna to travel from Boise to nowhere Montana for a project. We all found the adaptive cruise control to be a little annoying at first. Later on we found out that it was set at the closest setting. We put it on medium and it seemed much better (ie, more in line w/ all 3 of us felt was a good following distance & not slowing down/speeding up too much).

 

A couple of thoughts about test driving: Feel free to try other dealers. I think they expect that and also you don't have to service it where you buy it. During a chip shortage, it can help to schedule test drives. I did several on-line or on the phone and got scheduled into cars as they were arriving. (One was still partially wrapped when I drove it.)

I put a deposit on one arriving "soon" but it was a refundable deposit. (Oh, actually, for a while I had two refundable deposits at two dealers in two states.) When it came in, I got a call at 8PM on a Saturday night and he wanted to know when I wanted it. I think if I said "right now" he would have complied but I told him I wanted it after they had time to prep it and run it through the final inspection and then I'd come over the morning after that for the final test drive. And of course, it was already kind-of "my car" so there was not even any discussion of how long that might take.

Something I've noticed at a lot of product forums is that everything is getting more complicated. There are more devices, more ways to connect to things, more services and everyone is expecting device A to hookup to device B using connection modality C with service D and when that fails or even works in a different way than "before", they consider it a disaster or at least a serious faux pas, yet many other people on that forum, shrug and say: didn't even know you could do that, or why do you want to do that,…

It looks like a good time to be a programmer/software engineer as everyone must need a lot of them.

But bringing this back to something as expensive and complex as a car: test drive the heck out of it and try all your specific deal-break thingies. Also, spend quality time on a forum like this before choosing. You'll see lots of people complaining about dealbreakers they didn't know about. Probably 98% of them won't matter a bit to you, but the other 2% are worth knowing about. (Though that still may be better than any other car you can find.)

 

At the end of the day, you are the one who bought it. Toyota may have had a poor design but you were the one who bought it.

 

I just got a chance to verify that I can step through artists, albums, and tracks while driving. (On a 2021 but I think it's the same.) You don't get to use the full hierarchical list like you can use when parked but when you see < artist > and < album >, pressing those angle brackets move you forward and back through those. I've never had any more ability than that in the past anyway, so it seems fine to me. Oh and it sounds so much better than the previous car.

 

^ How did you do that? Your previous post mentioned "M", "K", and "I" - what is that referring to?

 

To each their own. My wife actually likes the 12.3 for the same reason many others have mentioned, she can have Apple Carplay maps displaying while also showing the audio source on the smaller screen. She's happy, I'm happy. And no, my kids don't play soccer

 

What sports do they play?

 

"M", "K", and "I" were the call-outs in the manual. What you actually touch are the arrows/angle brackets around < artist > and < album > .

 

These are the controls I mean. (Picture taken while parked but they remain while driving - at least on my 2021.)

 

There are a couple of gripes the OP has that I can relate to but I knew about them before I bought the vehicle. Whenever I am going to buy a new vehicle, I learn all I can about the vehicle before I even go onto the dealer’s lot.

1. I always consult Consumer Reports. Always. This is where I start.
2. I download and look at the sales brochure - even on used cars - to see what the capabilities/options are.
3. I look at Youtube videos about the year/make/model I am considering. There are always a plethora of videos to watch and see what people are saying about it.
4. I look for car forums covering the vehicle. And I read and read and read what owners are saying about it.
5. I download and read through the owners manual. Any car made in the last decade or so has owners manuals in PDF form for download.
6. I make use of any other source in information that may present itself at the time. (I.E. if I know someone who owns the same car - I talk to them about their experience)
7. If the car is used, I pull a carfax. And in the case of Toyota, I go on their website and pull down the service history. Before I bought my 2012 Rav4 with 65K miles on it, I knew more about that car than the selling dealer did. I knew its entire history. (And just FYI, CARFAX does NOT necessarily give you the entire history of a car)
8. I make a list of things to check/verify BEFORE I go on a test drive.

Will this uncover any and all issues that might be a deal breaker? For me, it most likely will. There is always a possibility something slips under the radar but so far, this strategy hasn’t failed me. I’ve never been surprised about anything that would make me regret driving the vehicle off the dealer lot.

I think this is what some refer to as “doing your research”. Will it uncover everything you care about? Maybe. Maybe not. But it can go a long way in informing you before you possibly make a mistake. Especially if you are finicky about certain things - which many of us are.

 

There are a couple of gripes the OP has that I can relate to but I knew about them before I bought the vehicle. Whenever I am going to buy a new vehicle, I learn all I can about the vehicle before I even go onto the dealer’s lot.

1. I always consult Consumer Reports. Always. This is where I start.
2. I look at Youtube videos about the year/make/model I am considering. There are always a plethora of videos to watch and see what people are saying about it.
3. I look for car forums covering the vehicle. And I read and read and read what owners are saying about it.
4. I download and read through the owners manual. Any car made in the last decade or so has owners manuals in PDF form for download.
5. I make use of any other source in information that my present itself at the time. (I.E. if I know someone who owns the same car - I talk to them about their experience)
6. If the car is used, I pull a carfax. And in the case of Toyota, I go on their website and pull down the service history. Before I bought my 2012 Rav4 with 65K miles on it, I knew more about that car than the selling dealer did. I knew its entire history. (And just FYI, CARFAX does NOT necessarily give you the entire history of a car)
7. I make a list of things to check/verify BEFORE I go on a test drive.

Will this uncover any and all issues that might be a deal breaker? For me, it most likely will. There is always a possibility something slips under the radar but so far, this strategy hasn’t failed me. I’ve never been surprised about anything that would make me regret driving the vehicle off the dealer lot.

I think this is what some refer to as “doing your research”. Will it uncover everything you care about? Maybe. Maybe not. But it can go a long way in informing you before you possibly make a mistake. Especially if you are finicky about certain things - which many of us are.

There are also sales brochures. May be "Old school" but they will list all the items and whether or not they are standards an options.