The "promised" Android Auto update has been an issue for me since I purchased my 2019 Adventure in August 2019. At the time of purchase, just before Labor Day weekend, I advised the sales rep that, although I liked the newly refreshed design, I would prefer to wait until the 2020 RAV4's arrived, as it had already been announced that AA would be standard in the newer models. The sales rep was quick to respond that Toyota had already commited to upgrading the 2019 RAV4's and that the AA upgrade was "imminent", likely within 2-6 months (yeah, yeah, I know; always get it in writing...). Based on this "commitment", I purchased my 2019, which was spec'd with everything that I wanted, short of AA.
Initially, the salesperson was quick to respond to my follow-up calls after the sale; however, that was short-lived and he obviously grew tired of the calls and emails regarding an anticipated date for the upgrade. To this day, my numerous attempts have been consistently ignored, with NO response from the dealership in well over 1.5 years. Needless to say, my routine service issues have been handled by another dealer (satisfactorily, I might add).
Which brings me to today and the reason for this post. Last week, the head-unit on my 2019 failed and is awaiting replacement. Given the broken commitment of the "imminent" AA upgrade, I saw this as an ideal opportunity for Toyota to step-up, make this right and fulfill the previous promises that were made by the original dealer, as Toyota will be replacing the JBL head-unit under warranty. I requested that the current unit be replaced with one that would have AA capability (2020/2021?) and the service writer suggested that I contact Toyota corporate customer service, as the dealership did not have authorization to upgrade the unit, if this was indeed a possiblity.
I've just spent the past three days, in contact with all three levels of "Toyota Brand Engagement", who have advised that, despite what we might have been told, they have no updated information about a pending Android Auto update for the 2019 RAV4. Furthermore, they added that replacing the head unit with a more recent OEM model will NOT provide AA compatibility, as had been suggested. So, for those who, like me, have been waiting for that "imminent" (yet, um, elusive) AA upgrade for their 2019 RAV4's, don't hold your breath.
For those who are wondering, yes, I did express frustration with what appears to be the original dealership's singular focus on meeting their Labor Day weekend sales targets, at my expense and at the expense of their honesty and integrity (for whatever that might be worth...), for which all three Toyota Brand Engagement representatives apologized. I feel it's important to note that these Toyota corporate customer service representatives did not seem at all surprised by the apparent lack of ethical standards exhibited by certain members of their sales force; but, were quick to apologize for the misinformation that I had been provided. WHAT, a car salesperson who would say or do ANYTHING to secure a sale, no matter how baseless his/her claims and promises might prove to be; who knew that was a thing (he asks, sarcastically)? As for Toyota's unwillingness to stand behind the commitments made by certain members of their illustrious sales force, I guess that "Ernestine" was right; if you're the biggest kid on the block you can do whatever...
Begs the question, how's that Tesla "dealership" model looking right about now?
