2021 Tacoma TRD Head Unit

I bought a 2021 Tacoma-TRD Of-Road 4x4 Access Cab V6 (with the "technology package"). Although the truck functions as expected the stereo/head unit is unbelievably childish. It's almost like it is locked and/or in some type of "demo" mode.
This factory unit does not allow simple activities like downloading installing/apps, connecting to wifi, installing maps, wired connections, usb connections, etc.. You can't turn off the warning splash screens. You can't Change the background. You can't watch videos. You can't access the backup camera unless you are in reverse. YOU CAN'T simply MUTE the stereo (you have to actually exit the source). YOU CAN'T turn off the unit. You can only turn off the display. The GUI is like something from a 1984 MacIntosh computer. The interface is clunky, antiquated and useless. It has a Toyota version of the SiriusXM app that seems like it was created in the 90's. Every time you take the truck to Toyota and ask for modifications, updates, fixes and or configuration they say "why don't you just connect your phone". OMG..... Why connect my phone if I can just USE MY PHONE. ....

So unbelievable it seems like a joke.

The OEM Factory stereo units on these trucks are so stupid, lame and ridiculous that I can't believe they were even engineered/installed. Hoping someone else out there has the same opinion and knows of a head unit you can buy for these Tacomas that will be compatible with the OEM internal technology.
( I also have a 2008 tacoma. I bought a cheap chinese Android head unit and installed it for less than $100 and it does 10 times what the 2021 head unit can do..)..
Looking forward to any feedback.
Thanks.

 

Should've kept 2008.

 

Part it out.

 

Your $100 stereo had more options because it was aftermarket and didn't integrate with the truck like an OE. Get yourself a Happy J-gee x-pang Lee and you will have button/option delight.

 

Happy Friday

 

I'm still pissed my '23 doesn't have the cassette tape / cd combo that my '00 did. Now I don't even have a cd player. Backwards progress, so I feel your pain. Before you know it, no am/fm radio in the 4th gen. 10 years from now they won't even come with a gas tank.

 

It's unthinkable they don't include this any more....

 

Shameful. U should trade it in for Chevy.

 

What is so scary about changing the radio in the 3rd gens?

I see posts all over like this of people complaining and hating the stereo, refusing to change it or making do, many also talking about how they had a 2nd gen, and how fast they changed the stereo in that truck.


Almost everything about changing stereos in the 3rd gen has been solved. from 360 camera views to steering wheel controls to the vehicle configuration page has a solution in some way shape or form, with the exception of instrument cluster notification integration. But that's something I don't see the need for. The stereo exists 12" from the instrument cluster.

Is that really what's holding everyone back from doing something about the one thing they feel cripples the truck?

 

Wait until you see Toyota's new "cloud based" infotainment system. You do default infotainment stuff from the Toyota app and that's subscription after the initial free time.
More bitchin', less satisfaction.

 

I find it disappointing how Toyota engineers these incredible trucks, then throws in a bunch of poorly designed electronics, as though they were an afterthought.

I'm looking at eventually replacing the need unit with a Dasaita Android unit, but that'll probably be a purchase for next year.

I've always been one who's perfectly content to just stick with the factory head unit, but this one is almost completely unusable.

 

I dunno, I feel Toyota has been phoning it in for a good decade. The 3rd gen is really mostly a 2nd gen with new plastics. The 4th gens cabin looks to be nearly identical to the 2nd gen as well, just with more frame updates, and more updated plastics.

If you recall that every vehicle takes about 5 years for development, the radios features for 2016 minus 5 years is about right.

 

Just another way to come in from a 2nd Gen and shit on the turd gen.

 

My first gen is almost the same length and my 3rd gen. All the same really

 

I don't mind old tech. For me, it's more that it's poorly programmed.

- No option for it to default to full screen radio. You can choose 2 screen, 3 screen, or 4 screen split, but no full screen. I've lived in this city my entire life, so I just don't need to have the map for most of my trips.

- When I do want/need the map, there's no way to keep north always pointing up.

- Google Maps for Android Auto let's you keep north pointing up, but half of the screen is occupied by turn by turn directions. When i do use the map, I only want the route showing for the traffic information, not the directions.

- No one-push opinion to turn off the screen for night driving. You have to go through 3 menu options.

- No opinion to turn off the blue backlighting on the buttons, even with the screen off.

It feels like the programmers want to tell you how to use it, when it would be very simple to provide opinions to allow people to customize it to meet their own unique needs & preferences.

 

I found your solution. I just had to read between the lines....

 

I haven't tried the post-2020 Tacoma, but I have tried the latest Toyota infotainment system in the Tundra, Highlander, and RAV4 and they are terrible. I thought Entune was rough, but at least I have a second dial for changing stations if I want something that isn't preset or I don't want to rely on the vehicle to find a station for me.

 

I don’t think that word means what you think it means.

 

Same with our 2023 Venza Limited.

 

I swear autocorrect gets worse and worse with every update.