Toyota cars are known to have excellent reliability ratings. The automaker also has one of the highest percentages of brand loyalty. This means that customers are more likely to buy another Toyota in the future.

The company offers a wide selection of vehicles. The Toyota Camry is a good midsize sedan option, and the Toyota Tacoma has superior off-roading prowess. Toyota’s cars usually also have a variety of advanced technical features. However, until recently, none of its cars came with standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Which cars now have this feature? Let’s take a look at the Toyota 4Runner, one of its popular SUVs.

Is Apple CarPlay standard?

Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard options for the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. This means that most used 4Runner models on the market won’t have this feature at all. Toyota cars are also one of the only vehicles compatible with Amazon Alexa.

The touchscreen has also been upgraded from 6.1 to 8 inches in the latest 4Runner. There’s also a new LCD screen in the instrument panel. HD/satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and an eight-speaker stereo system are all standard features. Critics were very impressed with the new tech, noting that the larger touchscreen made the infotainment system easier to use.

Safety features

In previous model years, the 4Runner lacked many advanced safety features; it only came standard with a rearview camera. The higher trims received just two pairs of parking sensors. Thankfully, this was changed for the 2020 model year.

Like many other Toyota models, the 4Runner now comes with the Safety Sense-P system. This includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. The parking sensors are still only offered in higher trims, but you at least get more than a standard rearview camera. 

Do all Toyota models now have Apple CarPlay?

Toyota is one of the last automakers to have standard Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. In 2018, the Avalon was the first Toyota car to include the feature. A few other 2019 Toyota vehicles also have standard Apple CarPlay, like the RAV4 or Corolla. Android Auto was not standard on any Toyota until 2020.

If you want standard Apple CarPlay, you’ll probably need a Toyota from 2020. Many Toyota vehicles, like the 4Runner, only have standard smartphone compatibility in the latest models. Others, like the Land Cruiser, still don’t have this feature at all. You may still be able to get access to Apple CarPlay through a software update. 

More about the Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner isn’t the most popular SUV on the market for a few reasons. It has a higher price tag than many of its competitors. In models with barely any advanced technical features, an MSRP of around $35,000 is hardly justified. Several other competitors have many of the same features for a much lower price.

The 4Runner also doesn’t have the best transmission. It’s a five-speed automatic that’s paired with a 4.0-liter V6 engine. The engine itself is potent, but it’s bogged down by inaccurate shifts from the transmission. The V6 engine is the only available engine option, but it’s terrible on gas. The 2019 4Runner gets an EPA-estimated 17 MPG on city roads and 21 MPG on the highway.

The new Toyota 4Runner is now slightly more expensive at around $36,000. If the new technical features aren’t a big deal for you, you’ll definitely be able to find a used one for cheaper. If you’re an avid Apple CarPlay user, you’ll have no problem finding a new 4Runner with this feature.