Has anyone here kept up there Lexus navigation after the 3 year free ended? Does the map look any better or is it just a data increase? Also how much did it cost and can I do this myself or dealer has to do it.

 

I did on my 2019 Lexus ES350 Ultra Luxury. Other than updating the subscription to a paid 2 year subscription, it was just an onboard map database update to the latest available version at the time of the subscription update. It was supposed to be $169 for a 2 year paid subscription renewal including an onboard map database update. There's supposed to be a dealer service charge if you have the dealer do the database update. (Supposed to be on the costs because my dealer's service department didn't really know exactly what the ES Dynamic Navigation subscription renewal and map database update entailed, and after they figured it out they just charged my $89 for the labor of downloading and installing the updated map database.)

Before Lexus updated their support website for the "new" Lexus Interface Drive Connect with Cloud Navigation system, there's was a webpage where you could purchase a 2 year subscription renewal and download a map database update appropriate for your Dynamic Navigation equipped vehicle. Lexus has either completely removed it or buried it somewhere where it is no longer easily located, so you'll most likely need to go to a dealer's service and/or parts department to at least get the map database update along with the subscription renewal.

The map database updating is done by downloading the database update file onto a USB-A flash drive, then inserting it into one of the data-capable USB ports (one of the two at the front of the console that can be used for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB music file playing, etc.), and then invoking the update process from the built-in Multimedia system's update function. (After realizing it wasn't an SD Card-based system, my dealer's service tech used TechStream to download and install on the USB flash drive the map database update file, but that may not be the only means available to obtain the file and put it onto the flash drive.)

There was a problem with getting my 2019 Dynamic Navigation subscription active period updated correctly. It took three weeks of back and forth with Lexus corporate tech support before the problem got fixed. I think your 2020 has slightly different firmware and hardware versions than my 2019 had at the time of updating, so that may not be something to worry about. Still, it is something to consider that it may be worth the cost of having the dealer do the renewal and map database update so if any glitches are encountered it'll be the dealer that's on the hook to fix them.

 

I know the look of map will not change and just new data installed but will the real time cloud navigation be like the new system or will it still be like it was? Will it utilize the same actual navigation as the current models. As for using a dealer I heard they have to sign in to receive license which we can not do.

 

It costs about $1600 to add the Technology package onto a new ES. I think its criminal that you cannot get free updates for the life of the car.....But I guess as long as the intitial navigation works without updates, then that is what I would do. Things like gas stations can change....but the basic maps are still good.

 

Agree...I was in my truck one time on back road to beach and detour did not connect right and no cell signal in sight to use google maps. I was completely turned around and if not for a navigation map on my sd card on my Chinese head unit I would not have known which way to turn to get back on course. Ever since then I have downloaded google map data on my phone for offline. For the new models Lexus doesn't think this is important which to me is a safety hazard which for technology you paid a fortune for. Luckily my 2020 has it within onboard without subscription. If the navigation part was as good as new owners report I might would consider subscribing. For the new generation coming I think the navigation will be partly on system. Several complaints of 2023 forward are being addressed like the split screen. Lexus doesn't ever seem to go back and correct it just comes out in next model.

 

With over 200 views and only 1 response for someone doing an update that tells me it is probably not worth it. I am assuming the real time dynamic navigation does not use the same source as new models. When I first got the car on a drive at 4 pm it tried to carry me 45 minutes out of the way for an accident that was cleared by 9 am. Never used it again.