Is a cell phone required to use the navigation system on the 2025 XLE? If not, is a subscription fee required to continue using navigation as the years go by? Is the navigation Google Play or something else? I'm coming from a 2022 Accord Hybrid which has a built-in Navi from Garmin that requires periodic map updates. Later models like the 2024 use Google Play which doesn't require any updates. Thanks for any help.
AlanWilder
To my best knowledge Toyota went to Cloud subscription business model.
You get 1-3 years 'free trial' and then depending on a country you pay, pay, pay, pay. No maps are stored in car's Navi.
Getting XLE just because of a bigger screen and 'navigation' and after 'trial' being forced to pay or to use your phone to navigate is in my book, moronic Toyota's move. But if you have money tree in your backyard, go for it.
You get 1-3 years 'free trial' and then depending on a country you pay, pay, pay, pay. No maps are stored in car's Navi.
Getting XLE just because of a bigger screen and 'navigation' and after 'trial' being forced to pay or to use your phone to navigate is in my book, moronic Toyota's move. But if you have money tree in your backyard, go for it.
Just use CarPlay or AndroidAuto and skip the factory.
Your car has these features wireless so it's super simple to use.
Your car has these features wireless so it's super simple to use.
Yes, Toyota's navigation is cloud based.
XSE and XLE have a free trial for 1 year. After that trial period, you have to pay or the maps disappear and go back into the clouds. The map screen defauls to a screen saver.
The only way to invoke the maps back into your car is to subscribe for the service with Toyota for $15 dollars a month. If not, whenever you hit the map button, you will see that depressing screen saver.
XSE and XLE have a free trial for 1 year. After that trial period, you have to pay or the maps disappear and go back into the clouds. The map screen defauls to a screen saver.
The only way to invoke the maps back into your car is to subscribe for the service with Toyota for $15 dollars a month. If not, whenever you hit the map button, you will see that depressing screen saver.
Ditto for Google Maps on an Android device.
support.google.com
Download areas & navigate offline in Google Maps - Android - Google Maps Help
Important: You can’t download offline maps in some countries or regions because of contractual limitations, language support, address formats, or other reasons. You can save an area from Google Maps
support.google.com
I use Android Auto and Google Maps. If the government want's to know what I'm doing, have at it. 
One benefit of Google Maps is you can download maps and use it off-line without a cellular connection. if the issue of cell connection comes up. However, in the NE, I have yet to experience any significant outage of cell service anywhere I go.
One benefit of Google Maps is you can download maps and use it off-line without a cellular connection. if the issue of cell connection comes up. However, in the NE, I have yet to experience any significant outage of cell service anywhere I go.-
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