Sirius XM on Toyota's Entune 3.0 disappoints

I'm a big fan of Sirius XM. That's all I listen to when I'm driving around in my 2017 VW GTI, even though my car offers Apple CarPlay. 

Here's how Sirius XM looks on my GTI's screen. In short, beautiful.

My Sirius XM favorites show up as large icons with the names of the stations clearly visible. I can easily reach out and touch an icon to change channels, which I do frequently since I abhor advertisements.

News and political junkie that I am, I'll listen to MSNBC until an ad comes on, then shift to CNN until an ad comes on there. If both MSNBC and CNN are playing ads, I'll head to POTUS (Politics of the United States). 

Along with the rest of the VW GTI, which I love dearly, the infotainment system is crisp, clear, well-designed and easy to use. 

Now, here's what Sirius XM looks like on our recently-purchased 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which features Entune 3.0 -- which must be one of the most poorly designed infotainment systems, at least when it comes to satellite radio.

When I got the 3-month trial of Sirius XM up and running on our new car, then programmed in some preset stations, I couldn't believe that the only thing that shows up is the channel number, not the name of the station, or even an icon.

Checking the infotainment system manual, and Googling this question, I came to be a believer. So far as I can tell, Entunes 3.0 only offers the small preset buttons on the touchscreen, which don't have the names of the selected stations.

How anyone at Toyota could think this is smart design is beyond me. My wife and I like almost everything else about our RAV4 Hybrid, but the infotainment system is seriously lacking.

We also have a leased 2018 Chevy Volt. At least, until we can figure out how to get out of the lease, now that we've bought the RAV4 Hybrid. The sun was shining on the screen when I took this photo, and the screen was rather dusty, but you can get the Sirius XM picture (which includes a reflection of my finger),

Not as nice-looking as the VW GTI, but the Volt sure surpasses Toyota's Entunes 3.0. The icons are small on the touchscreen, yet they have the names of the Sirius XM stations. 

(Note: my wife is a proud progressive, as am I. She likes to listen to Fox News now and then just to hear how conservatives are talking about current events.)

I'm hoping that Toyota will come out with a much-improved Entune 4.0 soon, and make it available as an upgrade to existing Entune 3,0 owners.

After all, Tesla provides over-the-air upgrades regularly to buyers of its cars. Since Entune is software, not hardware, Toyota should do the same, though I'd be more than willing to bring our RAV4 into our local dealer for an upgrade.

Comments

[Skyline]

AAAATTTTTA girl, Laurel!
Good job on your open minded, inquire into truth.
Objectivity, balance and depth of field; GREAT JOB, Laurel!
Now, can you please tighten up the leash on (you know who) and MAKE him listen to other viewpoints other than the ones printed on the inside of the bucket that is over his head?
I'm with you, Laurel. For many years, I listened to Ray Taliaferro every single night on KGO and enjoyed his commentary although disagreeing with much.

[Helo]

That should be a good feedback to Toyota. To me, it sounds like a cost-cutting move by Toyota for this model.

[KingBeat]

Agree! Just purchased a 2020 RAV4 and very disappointed with the display. My 2014 Acura gave the XM channel name on each preset, so it was very easy AND SAFE to move from Spectrum to Outlaw Country to a sports channel. Now I have 30+ presets and no quick way to navigate through them. As you mention, this should be easily and quickly remedied with a software update. Come on Toyota!

[Kim Frendreis]

Completely agree and am disappointed that our new 2020 Toyota Hybrid is the same as you describe. So disappointing since my 2011 at least lists the names of the stations and not just the channel number.

[Murray]

Hi

I am looking to upgrade to CarPlay on a rav4 . I currently use lots of SiriusXM through the satellite system on my 18 rav. On a new rav with entune 3 and CarPlay can I do the following.

Listen to SiriusXM satellite radio or fm
Be in CarPlay mode
Run google maps
Receive and make phone calls and override the music when google maps speaks or I get the call.
I would like to do this without a radio app