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Audio Plus package vs Premium Audio

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CelieMom

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I’ve been waiting for a RAV4 Hybrid XSE or Limited - fully loaded - to become available. Got a call tonight that the car I’ve been looking for is coming in and available, so I need to make a decision ASAP. The only difference between what it is equipped with and what I thought I wanted is that the available car has the Audio-Plus package as opposed to the Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation. I’m not sure what the Premium Audio is, but I DO want as good an audio system as I can get. But the JBL and speaker systems seem to be the same. I do have an iPhone 11, but am not familiar with CarPlay, etc., but from what I’ve read, that may give me the navigation I want through the touchscreen. I’d need to figure out how to use it.

So my question is, what are the differences between the Audio Plus package and the system with Premium Audio, which adds $1000 to the price. Is it worth it? Will sound be same? Will navigation be convenient through my phone? Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Native Toyota nav is junk, it is virtually the same as the Nav in our 2012 Lexus CT that we traded in for our prime. iPhone Nav is better.

Premium audio is good, I know nothing about audio plus.

Unless you are an audiophile the $1000 may not be worth it for the audio alone, again the Toyota Nav isn’t worth it, especially if you have an iPhone.

I do know that the premium can be adjusted to sound great, and that wireless CarPlay is easily do able (and I have a post you can search for regarding both).
 
#3 · (Edited)
If they both specify JBL, the audio portion is the same. My '21 XLE Premium has the same audio system as the Limited did, but without Nav. The names are confusing - mine was called "Audio Plus", which included the 11 speaker JBL system in the XLE Premium, but in the non-premium XLE, "Audio Plus" didn't include JBL.

In 2022, the XSE Hybrid and Limited Hybrid have "Premium Audio" available, which looks to be identical to "Audio Plus" option in the XLE Premium - that is, the 11 speaker JBL system. The difference is "Premium" includes navigation. Note that the 2022 Limited includes the JBL standard (not referred to as Audio Plus or Premium), but in XSE it's an option (Premium Audio). Sure is confusing terminology!

A lot of folks disparage the built-in nav - I don't have it, but there is a convenience factor to having built-in nav, like I do in my Prius. If you want it, get it!

The JBL system is good, better than the standard audio IMHO, though not as good as my 2012 Prius JBL. Still, it was worth the cost to me, as I really don't have the interest in installing my own.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks! It appears that the sound system is the same, then. It’s the “Dynamic Nav” that seems to be the difference, and if I get that through the iPhone, I don’t need to wait longer and pay more! He was leaving for the night when I talked to him but said I could reach him at 9:00 tomorrow, which I’ll do. Added bonus: my pre-approval with my credit union for a loan at 1.99% (or less if automatically deducted from my account) runs out Saturday, and I doubt I could meet that rate again under current lending rates! Thanks all!
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I WILL say that they’re trying to tack on a couple of pricey fees that I’ve asked about but it was after hours: $1295 for “Resistall” and $1185 for “VIP.” WHF? Not to mention $799 for a “doc (Document?) fee. I think there’s room for negotiation there, I hope. Otherwise, the add-ons are consistent with Toyota’s MSRP for the various add-ons (I don’t need roof racks, another point of negotiation).
 
#9 ·
We had to pay $5k over msrp for the prime. They wouldn’t “do” anything, it may be different for a hybrid.

We had them remove the racks before we left for mpg and noise (we had to keep them).

I also recommend ppf (paint protection film) and ceramic coating, NOT from the dealer! Find my post about that too 😉
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
q445187 said:
We had to pay $5k over msrp for the prime. They wouldn’t “do” anything, it may be different for a hybrid.

We had them remove the racks before we left for mpg and noise (we had to keep them).

I also recommend ppf (paint protection film) and ceramic coating, NOT from the dealer! Find my post about that too 😉
Click to expand...
It’s already on the vehicle he called me about. It’s got the pano roof (which I didn’t care about, but comes with all of these in this trim level, it seems) as well as the roof racks, door edge guards (which is fine) and alloy wheel locks (only $65).

So I’ll try, but you’re saying it may be futile to argue. That never stopped me, but I guess I won’t let it kill the deal. :) With taxes, it comes to about $5K over MSRP, so we’re right on target, I’m afraid. Thanks!
 
#12 ·
I'm not impressed with the Premium Audio (with Dynamic Navigation) sound system, I had hoped for more. To my ears it doesn't even sound as good as my wife's 2017 CR-V Touring audio system.
 
#13 ·
The Moon/Pano roof was NOT on my list of 'must have' items. But boy oh boy oh boy we love it!
 
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#14 ·
#16 · (Edited)
CelieMom said:
I’ve been waiting for a RAV4 Hybrid XSE or Limited - fully loaded - to become available. Got a call tonight that the car I’ve been looking for is coming in and available, so I need to make a decision ASAP. The only difference between what it is equipped with and what I thought I wanted is that the available car has the Audio-Plus package as opposed to the Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation. I’m not sure what the Premium Audio is, but I DO want as good an audio system as I can get. But the JBL and speaker systems seem to be the same. I do have an iPhone 11, but am not familiar with CarPlay, etc., but from what I’ve read, that may give me the navigation I want through the touchscreen. I’d need to figure out how to use it.

So my question is, what are the differences between the Audio Plus package and the system with Premium Audio, which adds $1000 to the price. Is it worth it? Will sound be same? Will navigation be convenient through my phone? Thanks!
Click to expand...
@CelieMom
I'm going to briefly bring your thread back to life!

Sounds as if you have the 2022 XSE equipped with Premium Audio. You were questioning that package against the Audio Plus package.
​
Question, do you in fact have Premium Audio (with the 9" screen??)?​
Follow on question if you answered Yes above.​
Do you have remote start either with the FOB or with the phone APP, both?​

The Brochure isn't laid out as well as other manufacturers brochures I've reviewed.
Audio Plus is offered as a package packages above the category for optional packages, and the Premium Audio seems to repeat what Audio Plus included, however it doesn't not indicate if it includes Audio Plus or is the same and more. Is Audio Plus standard on the XSE, then the Premium Audio option is added on with additional features and still including Audio Plus?

From what I have learned so far, Audio Plus is needed to have the Remote Start option. I have not been successful in finding much information on the 2022 -just that the 2021 XSE isn't on the list and the other vehicles need to include Audio Plus.

Edit:
Dang it, looks like she hasn't been active since April this year.
Anybody else have a solid answer to my question?
 
#17 ·
Sorry - it's been so long I had to re-register under a slightly different name. The answer to your question is that, 5 months after putting down $1000 just to get on the wait list for a RAV4 XSE Hybrid, I still don't have one, and haven't even been told that one designated for me is in production! So not only can't I answer the question (sorry!), but in the wait time, I've done more research and decided I'd rather have a Lexus NX350 Hybrid. I believe they're built on a RAV4 chassis and latest reviews (it's a wholly revamped model this year) are very favorable. I didn't have to put money down to get on the list, and in about a month I was notified that one meeting my criteria was being manufactured and should be here by late September. So 9 months after I began the hunt for a new car, I should have one - downpayment paid, buyers order signed. (y) Writing to the Toyota dealer today to get my refund!
 
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CeliesMom
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