2021 Toyota RAV4 – JBL 11-speaker Sound System Review and Test | Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Toyota and JBL work together to produce medium to high-range audio systems for all of Toyota's cars. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is one of the best we've sampled, featuring 11 speakers and 800 watts. Technically this is the RAV4 Prime, but the same test applies to all 11-speaker RAV4 JBL systems.

0:00 Infotainment, sound settings, speakers, inputs
4:13 Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
5:16 Lo-fi/Chill (ChillShop)
7:31 Classical (The Travelling Symphony)
9:45 Rock (Homeworld Collapse)
11:32 Bass (Redlips)
12:21 Electronic (Muffin)
13:21 Electronic (Aimless Lyrics)
14:25 Final thoughts

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This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!

WAV uncompressed audio tracks used:

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

#rav4 #rav4jbl #soundsystem

[ThomasMedaris]

I like how all the videos are the same format making it easier to compare with other vehicles!!

[jonathanr]

Oh wow… I didn’t realize that was the music sample in the car, but YouTube background music. That’s a good sound system!

[OldDood]

I have this JBL in my 2022 RAV4 Limited Hybrid as well.
To me I do not have to push the volume as much to get a fuller sound then I would with just the 6 Speaker Base system.

I would like to see you guys do a Side by Side with the JBL and a Base system on the same model of vehicle.
You could do this with other brands too. Compare their High End with the Base system to show the difference.

[RhondaPoitras]

I've purchased the 2024 Rav4 with JBL audio/navigation. When listening to the radio, the screen will pop up with what station I am tuned to. When this pop up displays, the speaker fades. Then when pop up goes away, you can hear the speakers tune back to better sound. Can I stop the pop ups?

[shrimperlincs]

Tried this JBL system in the RAV4 in the UK and the Honda CRV Premium audio twice each on the same day. The Honda's was better for classical music as you didn't need to crank the volume up to enjoy the music. The JBL was all Subwoofer and base focused and performed well with RnB etc. I found I had to crank it high to enjoy the music but then it was all base heavy and distorted.
I get the feeling that JBL have granted permission for a set of speakers to be used with these cars, without any sound engineering actually taking place inside the vehicle. The default settings aren't great. With Honda it feels like the money they saved on getting the speakers branded was used on having a sound engineer sit in the actual vehicle and work on the default settings. Hence the pillar mounted tweeters front and back.

Unfortunately the RAV4 has a bigger boot and a longer warranty so it wins out.

p.s. Also not really sure it's actually 11 Speakers as the rear passenger speakers are under one speaker grill each side. It's really an 8 speaker system and a Subwoofer.

[gmundenat]

You should try the 2024 RAV4–much better screen and software with the JbL system. Aux input and 2 USB C’s as well.

[tombasa]

Hi, there is one usb there and two under your armrest and two at back.

[bradsechrist]

biggest problem with these new audio systems is when you have to "reboot" your car to get it to work. We have a 2018 Honda Odyssey and had to "reboot" that quite often the first year when using Android Auto. it would just freeze the entire system and the only way to get it back was to pull over and stop/start the vehicle. quite the PITA.

[tehxii]

Would you rank this or the 2022 RAV4 above the Mazda CX-5 for sound quality?

[CanOfWhopasss]

If the premium sound system is 800w peak, id imagine this is running 400w RMS, but can you confirm? Additionally, i'm also looking for the amperage draw of the radio.

[MrSnuffinum]

The JBL sounds amazing if “tuned properly” it’s too bad the road noise on highway driving really distorts the audio system

[briankdaniels]

On my 2020 Rav4 XLE Premium all I have to do is press the power button in on the radio until the system restarts. No need to turn the car off and it will pick back up where the music left off.

[peterjrmoore]

Compared to the focal system I had in my old Camry unfortunately the RAV4 prime XSEJBL 11 speaker system tends to get quite booming and distinct in the low frequencies. I will investigate possibly changing out the subwoofer

[othman]

It's 9 speakers system similar to toyota Camry
the version with 11 speakers has twitters on back seats similar to Toyota Crown.

[Bruceillest]

Is the price tag worth the extra money? Or would it be better to buy after market speakers

[othman]

It's now better because now you get the sound in front of you so you get balance sound from L and R
previously with Avalon you get the sound from the center channel which is on your R the right ear get fatigued faster
now it's setup from the factory similar to Kia and Hyundai custom mode sounds coming in front of the driver so it's balanced like wearing a headset.

[nishihas]

So if we compare two models Hyundai Tucson with Bose and Toyota RAV4 with JBL then which one's the best sound system?

[venomka]

Toyota prius 4 hybrid have the same system in build?

[Galaxylynx]

Hey. Very good explanation of the system speakers location and many more! I am waiting for my 2022 XSE and I am going to hava Audio plus with 11 of JBL speakers. I know there is also a premium option with dynamic navigation ( my only regret that I wont have a dynamic navigation) Any idea what would be the difference in sound quality between audio plus and premium? Many thanks!

[patrykwostowski]

Is there any chance in future that you will check newest S-class surround Burmester® High-End 4D?. Would love to see if this can accually compete with B&W, Mark Levinson or either AKG from Cadillac.