Soooo...the database in my Venza's Nav system is OEM; bought the car October 2011. There have been MANY road and route additions in Houston and the surrounding area in the past 11+, going on 12 years.

So yesterday after having lunch with one of my best buds, I saunter into my local Toyota Parts Department at the Toyota dealer that's on the way home to the house. I tell the helpful gentleman standing at his terminal what I'm looking for...Navigation System Database update for a 2011 Toyota Venza. He begins tap, tap, tap, tap on the keyboard, looks at the monitor, tap, tap, taps some more, looks at the monitor again, tap, tap, taps, and then looks at me with a deadpan look.

He states, "That disc with tax will be $2,000."



Yes...
What.
In.
The.
ACTUAL.
F**K.

Holy Crap! I think GM gets about $200

Yeah, That's a bit much.

Try to get the part number for the disc and shop around.

I was able to get the latest (maps and firmware) upgrade for the Harmon/Kardon navigation system for my Dodge truck for $35.

Does it have a screen or Bluetooth for a phone app?

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Does it have a screen or Bluetooth for a phone app?

It does not. The only thing phone related is that it connects to my phone via Bluetooth for hands free calling/talking. And THAT is currently screwed up from an iOS update on my phone...

And people wonder why I still use my Garmin Nuvi. One reason is because updates are cost free.

Fuck that.

For a small fraction of that, you could get a dashboard GPS, or have an aftermarket bluetooth stereo system with a screen installed and connect your smartphone to it. Your smartphone navigation/map apps gets free map updates, plus can also do stuff like alert you to traffic jams and route you around them.

My Acura (2000 TL) was something like $495 for a new disc, but jo details on what the update included.
Never saw the point to upgrade for map updates in Kansas but none for TX, or something similar.

Android Auto + Waze is my solution now in both our cars.

The update will be shit anyway. Those OE nav units have terrible databases. My last car, a 2021 Nissan had a restaurant listed that had been gone for over a decade. My 2022 Colorado tried sending me down a road that doesn't exist and hasn't existed in my lifetime. There is a reason smartphone apps dominate the space now. Honestly if you have a smart phone I'd spend the money for an aftermarket deck that supports CarPlay or Android Auto.

Crutchfield Link

Order up a nice new head unit with Apple Car Play or Android Auto and away from Toyota Audio $2K updates!

PS I selected no JBL, you'd have to reselect if you have JBL...

^^^^
Thanks, HRK!!! Yes...I do have JBL, so started my search with that selection. [two thumbs up!!]

I'm guessing that an update disc for my 2011 Lexus RX350 would be similar.

I just use Waze on my cellphone. That way, I get real-time info on traffic conditions, as opposed to the craptastic FM-based traffic reporting available thru the infotainment system.

And don't even get me started on the bluetooth interface. Trying to play an audiobook via a wireless connection is an exercise in frustration, even though I have it down to a science.

Yeah probably best to change to aftermarket radio if you want GPS.... Probably get some nicer features they didn't have in 2011 too...

Depending on what features your car has sometimes you need different modules to get things like your steering wheel volume controls and stuff to work... I'm assuming in 2011 your AC and stuff isnt controlled by your radio so no need to worry with that...

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Crutchfield Link

Order up a nice new head unit with Apple Car Play or Android Auto and away from Toyota Audio $2K updates!

PS I selected no JBL, you'd have to reselect if you have JBL...

^ This, 1000%. I bought a new Ridgeline in 2019 and purposely got the RTL AWD trim (last year you could get it with a base head unit) so I could put a Pioneer wireless carplay unit in there.

Roll by your local Best Buy and talk to the car audio installer. Tell him you want a solid Pioneer unit with wireless car play and android auto. Should run you about $500 installed. Your phone will stay updated with maps so you’re G2G.

Don't know why anyone would buy a vehicle with a built in OEM nav system when there are so many add on nav systems on the market that are way cheaper in price and updates. from what I've seen, built in nav systems don't do any more than a standard garmin does. I have a garmin drivesmart 65 & traffic gps navigator that suctions on my windshield with lifetime updates for a cost way less than what a car dealer charges for an on board system. I'm also able to take it with me and use it in a rental car when I need to and not have to spring for the rental company nav system charges. But hey that's just me. Never liked being tied into standard or premium issue accessories. Most of my vehicles I bought were what is known as stripped and then added the radios and other accesories as I wanted after.

The GM disc in my vintage is associated with the VIN so aftermarket purchases are worthless.

The Toyota disc is likely 2016 at best. They stop updating after X years. I paid for the most recent for my Lexus and it was +5 years, meaning it is -5 years from current.

I’d be mounting your phone on the dash, for when you need navigation.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
I’d be mounting your phone on the dash, for when you need navigation.

On my wife's 2022 Honda CRV the phone is the nav system. Plugs into a USB port and Google Maps displays on the dashboard screen providing full nav functionality.

quote:

Originally posted by Kskelton:

Yeah probably best to change to aftermarket radio if you want GPS.... Probably get some nicer features they didn't have in 2011 too...

2011 -- does that have a back-up camera? If not, Crutchfield carries a few combination packages. Apple / Android compatible, so you can use your phone for Nav apps, and back-up camera, all for maybe 25% of the $2,000.00 update for your current unit.

^^^^^^
It does…will need to look for those. Thanks!