Look what is on this $60k RX dash that I saw at a rest area. A Garmin or alike GPS. What does that tell you about Lexus GPS

 

Perhaps Lexus should rethink is infotainment system entirely. Why is a premium brand such as Lexus only offering just XM vs. SXM? We are missing tons of good satellite stations. Lexus is always dinged in nearly every review for the silly toggle/mouse controller. Perhaps they could come up with a really easy voice controlled system using the Apple and/or Android systems...Its time, its WAY past time for a redesign.

 

This is the truth.

 

Most automakers want to control the infotainment center. It could be an important revenue source. I think that is why Toyota doesn't want to give it up to Apple or Android even though a lot of their customers including myself would love to see it happen. Toyota is in a strong position relative to other automakers so they don't have to give in to public demand. I don't find Toyota electronics terrible. I really like the interface in my 2015 Sienna. its very responsive and intuitive. Worst system i have ever used was Ford Microsoft Sync in the early days. Absolute crap.

 

You might think the Toyota electronics are OK until you have a vehicle with Android Auto and Google Maps, Google Assistant, etc. The integration of Waze is starting to show up and the product will only get better with Wireless connectivity and the "living" system that can be updated with phone apps. This would make Toyota's lockout when driving tolerable and mitigates the obsolescence factor but they have made a business decision and must think it won't affect sales.
Let Toyota convince you that it's OK but it is costing them some business. it's a deal breaker for me because I found several competitive brands that I like better. After using the infotainment in my 2016 truck I reaffirmed how dated and cumbersome it is to go back to the Lexus.
We were going to get a 16 RX for my wife. After several test drives we were disappointed in sluggish performance and the electronics checked a lot of boxes but were still cumbersome to use. I found some of the other issues reported on this forum, so we decided to wait a year. Love the exterior and interior though. Waited to see what 17 might bring....Nada!
Recently began cross shopping other brands and test drove a lot of times. Read professional reviews, etc. etc. Time well spent and opened my eyes is all I will say. If you don't know what you are missing and are brand loyal then the RX is a natural choice.
Edit: Forgot to mention that she drives a 2010 RX now and it has not been trouble free but no major issues.

 

I sort of wonder how many Lexus owners actually pay for the Enform service.

 

I have an iPhone and my wife as an Android phone. Carplay/Android Auto voice commands are a game changer in the way you interact with your vehicle. You really need to use either system for some time to really understand how much better the experience is. I seriously don't think I would consider a car without these systems in the future. Amazon's Alexa and MS Cortana are also finding their way into the vehicles, which is welcome competition. Most OEMs don't want to just become a "hardware manufacturer" if vehicle ownership becomes commoditized. They also don't want to lose control over all the data that is generated by the vehicles and the users as those are hugely valuable. OEMs just don't want to end up like the current smartphone manufacturers and they are trying to fight back, but the fast pace of software development is something that they are still adjusting to.

 

Hard to tell from the picture but that looks like an NX not an RX, and I would assume he doesn't have the navigation option.

I've used Apple CarPlay, I personally don't see why everybody is so fired up about it. For one, on my cousin's new Civic which I drove on a 5 hour trip and used it you have to plug the phone in for it to work. Don't know if thats the same on all the integrations. Thats a huge downside for me, I'm in and out of the car a lot and having to plug the phone in all the time to get my infotainment to work isn't my idea of convenient. On top of that, it has some annoying quirks, such as when you do plug it in all of a sudden it starts playing music, I don't like the Apple Maps as well as my OEM navigation system, the map display is barren, doesn't give me as much information. The messaging is good, but I can achieve the same through my Lexus system by having it read messages and responding with Siri Eyes Free.

Its not that its bad, I just don't find it so incredible that I would worry about it being in a car I buy, or spend any money to have it put into mine.