Home Miscellaneous What is Toyota Smart Connect?

What is Toyota Smart Connect?

By Joe Clifford
Toyota Smart Connect

Toyota Smart Connect is our latest multimedia platform, which offers consumers more powerful hardware, faster response times, more intuitive operation and new functionality.

Yaris Cross

The system has a clean, clear and simple interface that is operated through a nine-inch, high definition touchscreen display. It offers crisp graphics and easier visibility in different lighting conditions, while its embedded SIM card provides a constant connection to online services. These services are included in the data package provided as part of the new car specification.

Being always-connected means that software and service updates can be automatically applied over-the-air, without the need to return to a Toyota centre. But it also allows the integrated satellite navigation system to provide moment-by-moment information on traffic events through a combination of connected cloud services and community feedback. Following such guidance will help to make journeys as time-efficient and trouble-free as possible.

Smart Connect provides wireless smartphone integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Similarly, by downloading the MyToyota connected services smartphone application, owners can remotely control a number of helpful features. These include remote locking and unlocking, on-board climate controls and activating the hazard lights (particularly useful when searching for your car in a crowded car park). Owners can also use the MyToyota app to access information such as driving behaviour data or to set reminders about servicing, road tax and insurance.

New services and features will be automatically added to Smart Connect as the system evolves. First among these is a new ‘Share to Car’ feature, which will allow owners to plan their journey at home and send those details to the car before setting off.

Which models are equipped with Smart Connect?

The new Yaris Cross compact SUV is the first model to receive this new multimedia platform but further vehicles will receive it in due course. The table below provides information on the specific multimedia system that is included in each Yaris Cross trim grade.

YARIS CROSS GRADE MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM NOTES 
Icon 8-inch Toyota Touch 2  N/A
Design 8-inch Toyota Touch 2 Tech Pack option adds Smart Connect 
Excel 9-inch Toyota Smart Connect City Pack option replaces Toyota Smart Connect with Toyota Touch 2 
Dynamic 9-inch Toyota Smart Connect City and Advanced Safety Pack option replaces Smart Connect with Toyota Touch 2 
Premiere Edition 9-inch Toyota Smart Connect City and Advanced Safety Pack option replaces Smart Connect with Toyota Touch 2 

Learn more: What accessories are available for the Yaris Cross?

NB: Details were correct at the time and date of publication

167 comments

  1. Why has the tech pack been removed this year from the Yaris Excel when it was available last year? I’ve also seen the new UK Yaris GR sport does not have the heads up display option or 8 speaker option. However looking on European you tube videos those options are available on the GR sport overseas.

    Reply

    1. Hi Andy,

      Yaris Excel Tech Pack derivatives have been removed from sale due to extreme lead times, caused by the semi-conductor shortage. Sorry about that.

      Regarding GR Sport, each market offers differing levels of equipment based on market trends, competitors equipment levels and customer demand.

      Thanks

      Reply

  2. Is Smart connect compliant to ISO/SAE 21434:2021(en)Road vehicles — Cybersecurity engineering? When is toyota planning to be certified to this ISO standard?

    Allowing software to be downloaded as well as a direct connection with the internet may be seen as a security risk what controls, such a s firewalls, does Toyota have in place?

    Reply

    1. Hi David,
      Thanks for your question.
      A UN-ECE155 approval (Cyber Security) will become mandatory in EU for New Vehicle Types as of 6 July 2022 and for Existing Vehicle Types as of 7 July 2024.
      To prove compliance with this ISO, Toyota will submit evidence to the Type Approval Authority who will grant the UN-ECE155 approval that we comply with the ISO requirements.
      In short, our vehicles do comply with current regulations and will be approved for future regulations.

      It is worth noting that the Toyota Smart Connect systems:
      1. Adhere to strict Toyota security requirements and Toyota guidelines
      2. Have been rigorously pen tested by an independent pen testing company
      3. Toyota Smart Connect has been designed to be secure and has been tested.

      Are you considering buying a Toyota vehicle?
      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. Just a quick one I’ve ordered Yaris cross excel back In March, got the city pack with the order but when find out that is downgrade I’ve change my order to 9” original screen. I’m wondering is the HUD gonna be there. This coz a lots of speculation on variant groups . I just wanna know whether I’ll get HUD or not on my excel UK .

    Reply

    1. Hi Michal,
      Thank you for your order.
      The 10″ Coloured Head Up Display is not available on the Excel Grade.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. Are there any plans to offer wireless Android Auto for the Smart Connect system on C-HR / Corolla.

    If not are there any plans for the Smart Connect system on C-HR / Corolla to support USB hubs plugged in to the USB port so more then 1 USB device can be connected & recognised by the Smart Connect system at the same time?

    Reply

      1. Thanks for that but I’m not looking to buy a new Toyota as I’ve recently bought one.

        Are there any plans to update the software on the Smart Connect system fitted in 2022 MY C-HR / Corolla to allow wireless Android Auto OR to support more then 1 x USB device being connected at once?
        It’s really annoying Apple Carplay is wireless but us Android users still have to plug there phones in.

      2. Hi Lee,
        Thanks for your question.
        Whilst we don’t have any specific information to share with you now, we are always looking to improve our product offering.
        As the Smart Connect system receives over the air updates, you can expect to see improvements throughout your vehicle’s lifetime.
        Thanks.

      3. Hi ,my 2022 Corolla gr sport says update available. It will not download. It came with the new smart connect.It says error try again later.

    1. Hi Richard,
      Thanks for your interest in the Yaris Cross.
      The upgrades are as follows:
      -Door panel material improved from felt to fabric on all models
      -Electric Driver Lumbar (added as standard to Design Grade)
      -Nanoe X air purifying technology (added as standard to Excel)
      Thankis.

      Reply

  6. Hi
    I have just purchased a new Corolla hatch Icon Tech, it has been delivered
    Does the satnav have auto zoom?

    Reply

      3. Thank you. Oddly the guide which appears when I put my VIN in the website, or the month/year of manufacture bears no relationship to the satnav in my car.
        For example the diagram in the manual shows 2 physical buttons at the bottom, mine has one.
        The date on the download is 2020, I think the hardware changed after that

  7. Hi,

    Big issue with Smart Connect 9″ here, the voice command doesn’t allow to drive the Toyota GPS/Nav nor the USB or Radio or any internal function of the car. if you press the Talk button the system ask to connect a smartphone and if you connect a smartphone pressing the button will use the voice recognition of your smartphone to manage your smartphone functions only…Make a test simply try to drive the Toyota navigation (enter destination or whatever your want), try to play song from USB and you will see. Really disappointed.

    Reply

      1. Thank you for your prompt reply. No issue here just a big limitation of the Smart Connect system. If you like android auto or apple carplay Smart connect is for you with google or siri voice reco but if you doesn’t! like me well, you can’t use the Toyota navigation with voice control in 2022!… someone can make a test you will see. I’m pretty sure the touch&go have the voice control enabled but not the Smart Connect unfortunately…

    1. Hi Elaine, thanks for your question.

      Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this for you.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      2. Hi Elaine,

        Please follow these instructions to change the clock on your Yaris Cross:
        -select the Settings icon on the multi-information display
        -use the arrow to select the clock icon
        -use the arrows to select an item to be changed
        -press the up or down arrows to change the clock setting

        Hope this helps.

        Thanks.

      3. Thanks for your solution below. I managed to get another suggestion after googling the question and it differed from yours. Both though helped me crack it!
        Just to confirm you need to view the clock/settings info via the multi-information display (the screen in front of the steering wheel) not 9″ Smart Connect Multimedia screen.
        Use the left /right button on the left of the steering wheel (the buttons that have an ok button in the centre) to display the screen that has the clock listed. It is at the top of the list.
        It says press ok button to set mins to 00 but sure why you would want to do that!
        Press and hold the ok button to display the clock settings. Use left/right to select hours/mins.
        Use ok button up/down to change the hour/min times. All you have to do now is remember how to do again when the daylight savings times change again!!

      5. Just correcting a couple of typos in my post awaiting moderation.
        Thanks for your solution for changing the clock. I managed to get another suggestion after googling the question and it differed from yours. Both though helped me crack it! Just to confirm you need to view the clock/settings info via the multi-information display (the screen in front of the steering wheel) not 9″ Smart Connect Multimedia screen. Use the left /right button on the left of the steering wheel (the buttons that have an ok button in the centre) to display the screen that has the clock listed. It is at the top of the list. It says press ok button to set mins to 00 but not sure why you would want to do that! Press and hold the ok button to display the clock settings. Use left/right to select hours/mins. Use ok button up/down to change the hour/min times. All you have to do now is remember how to do again when the daylight savings times change again!!

  9. I have a Yaris Cross 2022 fitted with a 9″ Smart Connect Multimedia system.
    When the navigation system announcements are made the volume of the radio/media does not go down. Is there a setting that can allow that to happen?
    Currently, I either have to have the announcement volume set much too high or have the radio/media volume turned too low.

    Reply

  10. Hi, I have a new Yaris Cross with Smart Connect and I’m having problems getting the system to update. When I check for a system update it says one is available but doesn’t give me any installation option. If I set the auto update option it still doesn’t download. Is this a known issue ?

    Reply

      1. Hi, I contacted the Connectivity team using the link provided but have not received a reply nor an acknowledgement of my email. Is there an issue ? I still cannot manually update the software on a £500 system.

      2. Hi Andrew,
        We are sorry to hear that you have not received a response.
        When did you send your communication please?
        Thanks.

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