New RAV4.5 sound system what on earth have Toyota done!

[Scottydog007]

I part exchanged my RAV4.4 for the RAV4.5 plug-in, I originally had the JBL music system, then 3 days after ordering the new car I was told I could not have the JBL system, but not to worry as the standard system is really good.

Well in my RAV4.5 system it is utter junk. It sounds as though I only have 2 Speakers in the front and none in the back, there large Speakers in the rear seats but no sound is coming out, and there is no adjustment for balance, or tuning, or for base what so ever. Is mine broken or is the software fraulty in music system?

I have seen a YouTube video can see how this works, I have most of this, but I do not have the additional adjustment. It was stated that I will have the 6 speaker system, but honestly seems I only have 2 Speakers.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

 

 

[TonyHSD]

Well, these days I noted many changes in new Toyota cars especially those built for the uk market, even these that were built in Britain has less equipment than the very same cars made in the very same factory for export to eu and other countries. If you look at Toyota.de or Toyota.bg website you will be surprised how well equipped are the cars in one western or one Eastern European countries.
England since Brexit (2016) and more specifically since 2020 it seems like has been treated as a third world country and all that can be seen in the trade. Anything you buy from simple food, clothes, appliances, technology  to cars has lowest quality and highest price at all times. 10-15 years ago the situation was exactly the other way around. Cars made for English market were the best equipped from all other countries like for like trims. Some are saying it’s the chip shortage and supply chain issues, I don’t bite on that for sure, it is something else imo. 

[Flatcoat]

. I have family living in Germany and CZ and vist regularly and I can assure anyone who has just read the above post it is tosh. As for the OP I suspect it is more about finding your way around the settings. I find Toyota are not intuitive. 

[ernieb]

I think it’s Toyota UK that specify the car based on what ‘they’ think the can sell. I’m constantly amazed just how well the US/Canada cars are spec’d in comparison. Many of us have fallen foul of looking at YouTube videos and the specs ‘assuming’ read across only to be very sadly disappointed. Yes, I know that we should look carefully at what is being offered  when you buy the car but even that is now very questionable. It seems that if there are shortages then the UK gets hit even after an order has been accepted.

[philip42h]

11 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

Is anyone else experiencing this?

I have the JBL system in my car - it was not something I particularly wanted but a prerequisite for the PVM system that I did want.

My wife has the standard audio in her C-HR.

Both systems sound just fine - I'm glad that we didn't pay to have her car 'upgraded' with JBL ... 🙂

So, 'no', we have no issue with the standard audio - if you've already looked through the set-up options (and you shouldn't really need to do anything at all) I suggest that you take it back to the dealer for them to investigate and assist ...

[Rigsby]

1 hour ago, TonyHSD said:

Well, these days I noted many changes in new Toyota cars especially those built for the uk market, even these that were built in Britain has less equipment than the very same cars made in the very same factory for export to eu and other countries. If you look at Toyota.de or Toyota.bg website you will be surprised how well equipped are the cars in one western or one Eastern European countries.
England since Brexit (2016) and more specifically since 2020 it seems like has been treated as a third world country and all that can be seen in the trade. Anything you buy from simple food, clothes, appliances, technology  to cars has lowest quality and highest price at all times. 10-15 years ago the situation was exactly the other way around. Cars made for English market were the best equipped from all other countries like for like trims. Some are saying it’s the chip shortage and supply chain issues, I don’t bite on that for sure, it is something else imo. 

More of a political statement rather than factual, whatever our individual leanings are, we have left the EU, let’s get on with it.

As already mentioned, The specifications for the UK cars will be decided by Toyota UK based on their market knowledge, not by some chap in Japan saying “that’s for the UK market let’s down spec it”, different trim levels have varying levels of equipment which is the same as all manufacturers.

 

[TonyHSD]

17 minutes ago, Rigsby said:

More of a political statement rather than factual, whatever our individual leanings are, we have left the EU, let’s get on with it.

As already mentioned, The specifications for the UK cars will be decided by Toyota UK based on their market knowledge, not by some chap in Japan saying “that’s for the UK market let’s down spec it”, different trim levels have varying levels of equipment which is the same as all manufacturers.

 

I am far from all that. 👍

[TonyHSD]

Nothing political in my writing, all factual and based on what I see on the street. I am not saying that brexit has caused this directly or that if we hadn’t left would have been any different, just noticed how things are going ever since. No need to dig deeper, it’s just my personal opinion shared. Nothing more, and anyone has rights to agree or disagree. Not necessarily what I believe it’s true or false, it’s just my view on that matter. Probably other car manufacturers are doing the same thing., I don’t know. 
Still all other eu countries has offered more Toyota models, more trim levels, different colours, accessories, just better product lineup overall, plus they still have JBL in Corolla hatchback, a car made in England, but English people can only wish they been offered this extra. Yaris cross doesn’t come with glass roof option either, where in eu it does, this is the reality and it’s very factual indeed, just look around and you can see it. 

[Flatcoat]

We can argue til the cows come home but show me the fact that a Corolla cannot be orderd in the UK with JBL but is so available now this week in Germany? The fact you refer to the years 2016 and 2020 is simply coincidence those dates refer to Brexit? The fact is I have family in Germany and CZ and the fact is since Covid, those countries are having a shed load of problems. My son has his own business importing $millions of dollars worth of toys into Europe and he has plenty of problems with supply, price, quality and availability too. So if you cannot directly answer the OP do not make unsubstantiated claims without objective evidence. 
I suggest you tackle the UK importers if you don’t like their Uk specs. It has always been like this years before Brexit and Covid. There were versions of BL cars available UK yet not in Europe and similarly VW had colours and trim options in Germany never offered in the UK decades ago. There have long been market specific trim and engine and model variations in all markets.  do some proper research before sounding off with subjective views - as a suggestion try looking at AROnline and reading about the different models BL made for different markets over many decades. Then you might start to have some idea how the industry works and how consumer needs vary. Or try the same with VW or maybe even research all the different models Toyota make around the world and how few come to the EU, let alone UK. 

[SO8]

I listened to a JBL Rav4 PHEV and then the 2023 model I am buying … and tbh they sounded the same !   

I have had Harmon Kardon speaker systems in BMW’s and people say they are rubbish yet I find them ok.  It is all so subjective.  

[Roger_N]

14 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

I part exchanged my RAV4.4 for the RAV4.5 plug-in, I originally had the JBL music system, then 3 days after ordering the new car I was told I could not have the JBL system, but not to worry as the standard system is really good.

Well in my RAV4.5 system it is utter junk. It sounds as though I only have 2 speakers in the front and none in the back, there large speakers in the rear seats but no sound is coming out, and there is no adjustment for balance, or tuning, or for base what so ever. Is mine broken or is the software fraulty in music system?

I have seen a YouTube video can see how this works, I have most of this, but I do not have the additional adjustment. It was stated that I will have the 6 speaker system, but honestly seems I only have 2 speakers.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

 

 

Take it you have looked at the Multi-Media setting Audio/sounds then balance and fade?

[ernieb]

In reality whilst the Speakers may well make a difference it’s a car and the sounds scape is never going to be brilliant in that link of environment. It also depends very much on the individuals hearing and preferences particularly in music types. 

[Roger_N]

If the fade was set to full forward though the rear Speakers would hardly have any drive to them.

[Devon Aygo]

17 hours ago, Scottydog007 said:

I part exchanged my RAV4.4 for the RAV4.5 plug-in, I originally had the JBL music system, then 3 days after ordering the new car I was told I could not have the JBL system, but not to worry as the standard system is really good.

Well in my RAV4.5 system it is utter junk. It sounds as though I only have 2 speakers in the front and none in the back, there large speakers in the rear seats but no sound is coming out, and there is no adjustment for balance, or tuning, or for base what so ever. Is mine broken or is the software fraulty in music system?

I have seen a YouTube video can see how this works, I have most of this, but I do not have the additional adjustment. It was stated that I will have the 6 speaker system, but honestly seems I only have 2 speakers.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

 

 

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OM9A578E.pdf

[NASY]

I have JBL in my RAV and it is fantastic- maybe there are some quality variations but as an audiophile myself I know a good system when I hear it and the JBL system in my particular car is really good.

[Flatcoat]

Whilst I feel the Bose in my old Audi was the best Incar sound system, the JBL isn’t bad. Was less impressed with the Harmon Kardon in my Volvo but a H/K in my Rover 75 was pretty good. My Merc CLK could desperate benefit from a sound system upgrade, it’s poor. Best standard sound system was the Audi Concert in my A2 and the Seat Arona my wife had was very good for a budget system. 

[displaced]

I replaced the dash Speakers with kickers - relatively easy.

The OEM dash Speakers were 1 inch, all plastic construction, so it was immediately obvious why the sound was bad.

Sounds good with new Speakers - I won't be doing any more audio upgrades, the cost/complexity to benefit ratio isn't there for any additions.

[Yugguy1970]

The rear Speakers have been crap on pretty much every car I've owned since I passed my test in 1987.

I think they figure it's not worth the expense for good ones as for most journeys the driver is alone in the car.

Mine are rubbish too in the RAV but the hassle to change isn't worth it for me.

[Scottydog007]

On 4/23/2023 at 9:24 AM, philip42h said:

I have the JBL system in my car - it was not something I particularly wanted but a prerequisite for the PVM system that I did want.

My wife has the standard audio in her C-HR.

Both systems sound just fine - I'm glad that we didn't pay to have her car 'upgraded' with JBL ... 🙂

So, 'no', we have no issue with the standard audio - if you've already looked through the set-up options (and you shouldn't really need to do anything at all) I suggest that you take it back to the dealer for them to investigate and assist ...

As far as I was told there was no chance of getting the JBL system at the time and possibly for the future as well.