[joerocky III]

I suspect that the new Multi Media system from the 2022 Lexus NX will be the new standard across both Lexus and Toyota.

They (Lexus, both sizes, 9.8" and 14") have volume knobs. I think this same system is already available in the new Tundra, too.

Yup, but not 2023 Venza. Frankly, I think people are just hesitant to change. They've adapted to rotary, to push button, to touchphones, but still want knobs in the car. Capacitive is much cleaner look.

 

[Gwvb716]

I suspect that the new Multi Media system from the 2022 Lexus NX will be the new standard across both Lexus and Toyota.

They (Lexus, both sizes, 9.8" and 14") have volume knobs. I think this same system is already available in the new Tundra, too.

Yes. According to Toyota's pressroom.toyota.com, they are rolling out this new multimedia system across multiple vehicles. This is not unique to the 2023 Venza, Tundra was 1st. They also specifically stated that the new head unit uses a touch screen, but with a volume knob.

It is correct that the 2023 Venza news release only talks about the upgrade to the new system with all its functionality. However, under the separate new multimedia pressroom.toyota.com discussion, they go into detail about the head unit's design. This supports YouTube reviews like the ones above that mention the volume knob for the 2023 Venza. (Given the 2023 refresh, I'm still committed to my ordered 2022 and its great hybrid system; not willing to wait possibly 1 year for widely available 2023!)
Thanks community!

 

[joerocky III]

Yes. According to Toyota's pressroom.toyota.com, they are rolling out this new multimedia system across multiple vehicles. This is not unique to the 2023 Venza, Tundra was 1st. They also specifically stated that the new head unit uses a touch screen, but with a volume knob.

It is correct that the 2023 Venza news release only talks about the upgrade to the new system with all its functionality. However, under the separate new multimedia pressroom.toyota.com discussion, they go into detail about the head unit's design. This supports YouTube reviews like the ones above that mention the volume knob for the 2023 Venza. (Given the 2023 refresh, I'm still committed to my ordered 2022 and its great hybrid system; not willing to wait possibly 1 year for widely available 2023!)
Thanks community!

You've said this before, but still cannot find what it is you are referencing. Can you provide a direct link to the specific information? Gone to the pressroom and cannot find what you say you are finding.

 

[Gwvb716]

You've said this before, but still cannot find what it is you are referencing. Can you provide a direct link to the specific information? Gone to the pressroom and cannot find what you say you are finding.

Please see below:

Toyota Motor North America Introduces Next-Generation Multimedia System To Deliver Best In-Car User Experience - Toyota USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (June 11, 2021) – As the need for a more personalized and intelligent in-vehicle experience continues to grow and be a driving force behind vehicle selection, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) is proud to unveil a new multimedia solution delivering an exceptional in-car user experience.

pressroom.toyota.com

Note this was 6/11/21 announcement and applied to Toyota and Lexus. Toyota started w/ 2022 Tundra, Lexus w/ 2022 NX. With supply chain issues, who knows how long it will take to roll across models.

 

[Sweet can]

Don't be too quick to jump to 2023 over 2022. I was psyched too, until I got the whole story.
The new infotainment has no homescreen, everything is a subscription, and it's more expensive.
Integrated Apple and amazon music don't work without an AT&T wifi subscription, which looks to be 11 bucks a month.
You don't have Toyota navigation at all without a subscription, the screen is just blank once the sub is over if not paid for, and the ok Toyota is part of that. Nav subscription will be only a year trial, not 3 like 2022.
Also, the "Hey Toyota" function they tout is laggy compared to Apple and Android in all the video's I've seen. To keep both functions is 16 bucks a month.
Connective services, like sos etc? Another 8 a month. Remote? Same as now, 8 a month. Unless this changes, that's kinda ridiculous. Now, if they lumped nav, remote and sos ALL for 16 bucks, that would be fine, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
You will only have radio and AC and AA without that 43 dollars a month..This new system seems to exist just to nickle and dime you. That's not even including any music subs you may pay for.
It's only better than current if the passenger seat, wireless, and 2.5 are all that important to you. Or you just need the newest toys. That you have to pay for monthly.
Also, that lexus radio and tundra radio are vehicle specific, every radio coming soon will have this new subscription based software built in to their existing radios, not a new radio design. There may be a volume knob added to the Venza JBL radio, but don't count on it. And if so, it will be probably just be an ugly afterthought like the Honda CRV. I hope not, but....?
This is the best explanation I've found of the system so far.

 

[Gwvb716]

Don't be too quick to jump to 2023 over 2022. I was psyched too, until I got the whole story.
The new infotainment has no homescreen, everything is a subscription, and it's more expensive.
Integrated Apple and amazon music don't work without an AT&T wifi subscription, which looks to be 11 bucks a month.
You don't have Toyota navigation at all without a subscription, the screen is just blank once the sub is over if not paid for, and the ok Toyota is part of that. Nav subscription will be only a year trial, not 3 like 2022.
Also, the "Hey Toyota" function they tout is laggy compared to Apple and Android in all the video's I've seen. To keep both functions is 16 bucks a month.
Connective services, like sos etc? Another 8 a month. Remote? Same as now, 8 a month. Unless this changes, that's kinda ridiculous. Now, if they lumped nav, remote and sos ALL for 16 bucks, that would be fine, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
You will only have radio and AC and AA without that 43 dollars a month..This new system seems to exist just to nickle and dime you. That's not even including any music subs you may pay for.
It's only better than current if the passenger seat, wireless, and 2.5 are all that important to you. Or you just need the newest toys. That you have to pay for monthly.
Also, that lexus radio and tundra radio are vehicle specific, every radio coming soon will have this new subscription based software built in to their existing radios, not a new radio design. There may be a volume knob added to the Venza JBL radio, but don't count on it. And if so, it will be probably just be an ugly afterthought like the Honda CRV. I hope not, but....?
This is the best explanation I've found of the system so far.

Thanks!!!

 

[johara1]

Well if the 2023 follows the path of the 22, you will get less at a higher cost the XLE in 21 for 510.00 you got softex, power passenger seat that is heated and cooled plus a heated steering wheel. can't even get the power passenger seat in the XLE in 22......

 

[Ken722]

Looks like the 12.3" screen is the same as the current screen on the Limited with no volume knob for 2023 as seen in this video, it's not the 12.3 display from the Highlander. I assume that only means only the software has been updated to allow wireless Apple CarPlay for 2023.

 

[Sparkland]

How much longer will Toyota integrate navigation into the head unit? Other manufacturers are eliminating it entirely, making consumers rely on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for maps.

 

[chinna]

Looks like the 12.3" screen is the same as the current screen on the Limited with no volume knob for 2023 as seen in this video, it's not the 12.3 display from the Highlander. I assume that only means only the software has been updated to allow wireless Apple CarPlay for 2023.

It is really disappointing. They did not change anything in the controls. Seems processor and the software only for the Head unit. I was hoping some changes there to make it more usable.

 

[cometguy]

We have a 2021 RAV4 Prime that is my wife's daily driver. It's by far the best vehicle that Toyota has ever made, in the opinion of many. We get consistently 50 miles of all-electric range, plugging it in every night in our garage, but we still get the benefits of an efficient (38 mpg) gas/hybrid drivetrain while on long roadtrips without having to worry about plugging in.
I will never again buy a car without a plug; I feel that -- at least for those who can plug in every night -- a so-called "mild hybrid" with no way to control the very limited electric-only driving (and zero government tax credits or rebates) is a very poor concept (yeah, it's fine for those who can't plug in at night at home).

So I'm in the market for a new PHEV (don't want another RAV4 Prime), and I think that the Venza is a great all-around vehicle, lacking mainly a PHEV ("Prime") drivetrain. Has anybody heard if Toyota is planning to bring a PHEV drivetrain to the Venza? Because I'd likely buy it in a heartbeat, but without a PHEV drivetrain, I'm forced to look at non-Toyota offerings (which aren't as good in terms of PHEV drivetrain, unless you get up to much-more-expensive luxury brands).

 

[dklanecky]

Has anybody heard if Toyota is planning to bring a PHEV drivetrain to the Venza? Because I'd likely buy it in a heartbeat, but without a PHEV drivetrain, I'm forced to look at non-Toyota offerings (which aren't as good in terms of PHEV drivetrain, unless you get up to much-more-expensive luxury brands).

Me too!

I think we'll be waiting for at least a couple of years for any additions of the Toyota/Lexus PHEV drive train to anything other than major model revisions (like the Lexus recent 2022 NX or 2023 RX, both of which have recently added the PHEV models with major revisions).

I'd guess that until the Venza has a major model revision, in a couple of years, it's unlikely. Until then, I suspect most of the apparently very limited Toyota/Lexus PHEV power trains to show up in the higher priced vehicles, like the NX and RX.

 

[Gwvb716]

Don't be too quick to jump to 2023 over 2022. I was psyched too, until I got the whole story.
The new infotainment has no homescreen, everything is a subscription, and it's more expensive.
Integrated Apple and amazon music don't work without an AT&T wifi subscription, which looks to be 11 bucks a month.
You don't have Toyota navigation at all without a subscription, the screen is just blank once the sub is over if not paid for, and the ok Toyota is part of that. Nav subscription will be only a year trial, not 3 like 2022.
Also, the "Hey Toyota" function they tout is laggy compared to Apple and Android in all the video's I've seen. To keep both functions is 16 bucks a month.
Connective services, like sos etc? Another 8 a month. Remote? Same as now, 8 a month. Unless this changes, that's kinda ridiculous. Now, if they lumped nav, remote and sos ALL for 16 bucks, that would be fine, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
You will only have radio and AC and AA without that 43 dollars a month..This new system seems to exist just to nickle and dime you. That's not even including any music subs you may pay for.
It's only better than current if the passenger seat, wireless, and 2.5 are all that important to you. Or you just need the newest toys. That you have to pay for monthly.
Also, that lexus radio and tundra radio are vehicle specific, every radio coming soon will have this new subscription based software built in to their existing radios, not a new radio design. There may be a volume knob added to the Venza JBL radio, but don't count on it. And if so, it will be probably just be an ugly afterthought like the Honda CRV. I hope not, but....?
This is the best explanation I've found of the system so far.

• Thanks for sharing. Now that I have my 2022 Venza Limited w/ Advanced Tech Package (& Star Gaze Roof), I like both options very much!!! I'm from the A.I.L. (Acura, Infiniti, Lexus) family of previous mid-size SUV owners. Neither is known for outstanding multi-media systems. (Changed to new Venza Limited because of excellent ride quality, silky smooth drivetrain/hybrid system, outstanding features/options, and established hybrid reliability.)
• Took brief while to adjust to Limited's capacitive touch controls, but afterwards proved to be very responsive and convenient, especially with use of steering column controls. Also, I primarily use Bluetooth connection to play my YouTube Music libraries/artists.
• Lastly, I found I like the multimedia Home command with its 3 default windows, which are customizable.
• After getting use to entering/exiting front passenger side, passenger seat's comfortable is well above average.
• In sum, I can understand 2023 Venza's changes, but I'm at 4.9/5 on my 2022 Limited 😃.