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When you think of the Toyota brand, a few very descriptive words probably come to mind: toughness, reliability, dependability and safety. However, you might not immediately think of multimedia superiority. Smaller touch screens. Less availability of popular audio applications. With the release of many 2020 models coming in the next few months, look for Toyota to make strong improvements to audio quality and multimedia convenience.

Android Auto is coming to 2020 Toyota Tacoma and more

In my line of work, I receive hundreds of comments from my YouTube channel viewers and Torque News readers every day. One of the most common critiques and suggestions from car shoppers and owners swirls around the popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And it makes sense. Why wouldn’t car shoppers want in-car multimedia systems that make phone calls, music and messaging more convenient to use and less distracting?

Toyota listened to your suggestions and began adding Apple CarPlay to its most popular vehicles, including 2019 Avalon, Corolla Hatchback, Camry and RAV4. They even developed a software update to retrofit 2018 Camry and Sienna models with CarPlay. By the way, thank you Toyota. My 2018 Camry XLE and I LOVE using CarPlay every day.

Now, look for the 2020 Tacoma, along with the 2020 Tundra and 2020 4Runner to integrate Android Auto into their incoming vehicles. Although not confirmed, I would expect other popular Toyota mainstays to incorporate both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay into their 2020 cars, trucks and SUV’s by the end of the year.

SiriusXM will become standard on all 2020 Tundra, other models

In a move to better serve its customers and position itself as a superior multimedia player, Toyota will begin phasing in SiriusXM for all trims of all models. With hundreds of channels offering hundreds of genres for just about everyone, SiriusXM makes music and talk radio both easy, enjoyable and convenient for millions of people each day.

This will really be a huge benefit for car shoppers looking for models like the 2020 Camry and 2020 RAV4, with the L and LE and XLE grades that traditionally would not have standard SiriusXM.

Yacht Rock Radio, here we come.

Larger Display Screens for 2020 4Runner and others

Another all-too-common suggestion from truck enthusiasts is the call for larger multimedia display touch screens. With larger interiors of vehicles like the Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner and Sequoia, a 6.1-inch multimedia screen just looked a little small in comparison to the rest of the cabin.

Great news – the entire Toyota truck and SUV lineup will offer either 7-inch or 8-inch touch screens to see their valuable vehicle, audio and navigation information. This should make driving easier, more convenient and less distracting for drivers.

JBL Premium Sound will Rock the 2020 Tacoma and others

Continuing their strong relationship into 2020, Toyota and JBL will incorporate premium sound into the higher trim levels of vehicles like Toyota 4Runner and Tundra and Tacoma. JBL takes pride in delivering what they refer to as “concert-like performance” in your vehicles while you commute to work or go on that cross-country road trip.

Let’s hear from you

What multimedia updates and improvements are you most looking forward to for your 2020 Toyota purchase? Will you be in the market for a new truck or SUV in the next year, and what factors will be important to you when making your decision?

Watch Refreshed 2020 Toyota Tacoma Updates by Grade Level and Subscribe to Torque News Youtube Channel for Daily News on Toyota Tacoma and Automotive Industry.

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story.

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and Instagram. Twitter @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.