More observations

[wireman]

A few more things I've noticed comparing my old 2021 BL vs. my 2025 BL.

Sync 4 is a vast improvement over Sync 3. It's much faster and responsive. I like the maps and obviously the 12.3 inch screen.

I still prefer physical buttons for the HVAC controls.

The wireless charging works better. In the 2021 I was always getting notices on the screen that the charging has stopped because of phone misalignment etc.

It's never happened on the 2025.

The wireless Carplay is great. It boots right up to Carplay after starting the vehicle. I can change that in the phone setting's if I prefer to have Sync 4 at startup. I never used it in the 2021.

I still like the brown/black interior in the 2021.

It looks like they did away with the rear camera washer on the 2025. Bad move on Ford's part.

The cargo management system looks to be a plus except that you can't lift up the cargo cover fully to gain access to the spare etc.

In the instrument cluster display, I wish that the miles reading was centered in the display rather than on the right side and maybe a little larger.

Hoping at some point to find a mount for the tray behind the center screen to mount a dashcam and use the usb-c ports for power.

I just feel it's a more refined vehicle compared to the 2021, but it should be.

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[ktprtygal]

I think not having a washer for back camera is silly based on the location of camera, it gets filthy on any wet or muddy roads. I installed a dash camera behind rearview mirror, I wonder what the view would be on dash?

 

[Goughy]

The wireless charging works better. In the 2021 I was always getting notices on the screen that the charging has stopped because of phone misalignment etc.

Yes. Pity they took it out for the 2026 models. Glad I got a 2025 - probably peak Bronco Sport.

The cargo management system looks to be a plus except that you can't lift up the cargo cover fully to gain access to the spare etc.

Yes, a less than optimal design! I thought this might be an issue but it probably won't bother me too much. The cargo cover can be pulled out to allow access to the spare.

 

[BroncoMB]

In the instrument cluster display, I wish that the miles reading was centered in the display rather than on the right side and maybe a little larger.


On my 23 BL, I have a screen called "calm". It has none or the other info and the MPH show in the center and is quite large. Not sure if you have that one with your screen being fully digital but you could flip through them and find an equivalent.

 

[jkernitzki]

In the instrument cluster display, I wish that the miles reading was centered in the display rather than on the right side and maybe a little larger.


On my 23 BL, I have a screen called "calm". It has none or the other info and the MPH show in the center and is quite large. Not sure if you have that one with your screen being fully digital but you could flip through them and find an equivalent.

'25's also have Calm, might as well be labeled "I Have Nothing Of Value To Display". "Off" would be more useful.

TBH, I'd rather have a truly fully customizable instrument pack available. Pressures, temps, everything. Oh, and I want numbers, not bars. Ford UI/UX designers must all be 20-somethings that have never been further than 500 yards from a Starbucks.

Now excuse me while I wash my knuckles, it seems they've been dragging on the ground again...

 

[wireman]

'25's also have Calm, might as well be labeled "I Have Nothing Of Value To Display". "Off" would be more useful.

TBH, I'd rather have a truly fully customizable instrument pack available. Pressures, temps, everything. Oh, and I want numbers, not bars. Ford UI/UX designers must all be 20-somethings that have never been further than 500 yards from a Starbucks.

Now excuse me while I wash my knuckles, it seems they've been dragging on the ground again...

Exactly. The info available is severely lacking compared to a lot of other vehicles.

Hell ,my brothers 2024 Equinox can bring up air filter life, oil pressure, actual coolant temp and other info I would like to see on my BL.

 

[Brent@ANParts]

I love the new wireless Apple CarPlay, but ironically I find myself plugging-in more often. Helps me avoid using my phone when driving, I like to tuck it away.

 

[dwrufus53]

I love the new wireless Apple CarPlay, but ironically I find myself plugging-in more often. Helps me avoid using my phone when driving, I like to tuck it away.

Occasionally I use the wireless charging pad. It sits in the little cubby in the center console under the dash. It keeps my phone out of sight, and therefore, removes the temptation to use the phone at all.

The rest of the time, I keep my phone in my pocket.

Out of sight, out of mind.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I love the new wireless Apple CarPlay, but ironically I find myself plugging-in more often. Helps me avoid using my phone when driving, I like to tuck it away.

I have a wireless adapter on my sync 3 and it almost always works flawlessly. But…..I do plug it in on trips longer than 1/2 hour as it does chug through the elections in my phone battery when it’s not plugged in. Otherwise, I’m like @dwrufus53, phone stays in my pocket. I’ve got sync 4 on the full size and I really can’t see a difference but I’m always using CarPlay.

 

[dwrufus53]

I have a wireless adapter on my sync 3 and it almost always works flawlessly. But…..I do plug it in on trips longer than 1/2 hour as it does chug through the elections in my phone battery when it’s not plugged in. Otherwise, I’m like @dwrufus53, phone stays in my pocket. I’ve got sync 4 on the full size and I really can’t see a difference but I’m always using CarPlay.

CarPlay is my ride or die. I had the wireless dongle in my Ranger (SYNC3), and it worked pretty well, but wireless with SYNC4 is awesome.

 

[wireman]

Another follow up on some things about my 2025 BL.

The initial post is comparing my 2021 BL vs the 2025 BL I purchased on 10-19-2025 as a used CPO with 5800 miles.

So only about 700 miles so far but still impressed with the power from the 2.0L.

My miles have been probably 50/50 highway vs. city driving. When I do use the Start/Stop feature it is almost seamless when engaging from a start.

I can only compare it to my wife's Mercedes GLC 300 and my brothers 2024 Chevy Equinox and it outshines those systems by far.

I still dislike the black rims and especially the puny 225/65 tires. Looking from the rear they look like bicycle tires.

No reason Ford couldn't have installed a 235/65 like the Wildpeaks on my 2021. The Badlands is the top trim and an offroad vehicle.

A significant expense to update so I guess I'm stuck with it.

The cargo management system is an option on my BL. The jury is still out on this being a benefit for me.

My 2025 BL is white. The black door handles stand out like a turd in a punch bowl.

I prefer the body color door handles that were on my 2021.

I was watching this video review of a pre-production 2026 Toyota Rav 4.


I have never been a fan of, or owner of a Toyota vehicle. I am impressed with their quality and their engineering of the Hybrid systems though.

The front end is butt ugly and I don't see top quality interior materials either. JMO.

In this video he talks about the "drive recorder" installed in the vehicle. It has a built in front dash cam on the rearview mirror. The system records from all 4 cameras as you drive.

No more sticking dashcams on your windshield, running wires, or tapping into power.

I hope other brands take a look at this and offer it in the future.

Back to the Badlands. Still happy with my purchase and the more miles I drive, hopefully nothing will change that.

 

[Dude]

… 2026 Toyota Rav 4… In this video he talks about the "drive recorder" installed in the vehicle. It has a built in front dash cam on the rearview mirror. The system records from all 4 cameras as you drive.

No more sticking dashcams on your windshield, running wires, or tapping into power.

I hope other brands take a look at this and offer it in the future.

Found a little more on the drive recorder capability:

standard built-in Drive Recorder: can utilize vehicle’s exterior cameras to capture 20-second clips of manual and triggered events

 

[Dude]

wireman, in case you would like to know more about the 2026 RAV4 here is an in-depth article

https://pressroom.toyota.com/the-next-adventure-begins-2026-rav4-arrives-this-winter/

I don’t like that subscriptions are required after the trial period ends and each of these features state “5G network dependent” which sounds like a substantial restriction in most areas today:

Drive Connect (specific models only): includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Subscription required after 1-year trial.

Traffic Jam Assist (Requires Active Drive Connect subscription after 1-year trial).

Remote Connect: Remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Depending on model, allows you to lock/unlock doors, start and stop the vehicle, locate your last parked location, check vehicle status and monitor guest drivers. Subscription required after 1-year trial.

Safety Connect: Includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required after 5-year minimum trial.

Service Connect: Receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required after 5-year minimum trial.

Wi-Fi Connect: Unlimited Hotspot Data. Includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Spotify compatibility - separate subscription required). Subscription required after 30-day trial.

 

[wireman]

wireman, in case you would like to know more about the 2026 RAV4 here is an in-depth article

https://pressroom.toyota.com/the-next-adventure-begins-2026-rav4-arrives-this-winter/

I don’t like that subscriptions are required after the trial period ends and each of these features state “5G network dependent” which sounds like a substantial restriction in most areas today:

Drive Connect (specific models only): includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Subscription required after 1-year trial.

Traffic Jam Assist (Requires Active Drive Connect subscription after 1-year trial).

Remote Connect: Remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch. Depending on model, allows you to lock/unlock doors, start and stop the vehicle, locate your last parked location, check vehicle status and monitor guest drivers. Subscription required after 1-year trial.

Safety Connect: Includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator. Subscription required after 5-year minimum trial.

Service Connect: Receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. Subscription required after 5-year minimum trial.

Wi-Fi Connect: Unlimited Hotspot Data. Includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Spotify compatibility - separate subscription required). Subscription required after 30-day trial.

That's one hell of an informative article. I'll probably never be in the market for one, but I thought the video review by a mechanic was interesting. Toyota does a lot of things right, but they aren't perfect.

Subscriptions suck. Just a money maker that a lot of brands are going to.

GM is ditching Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in there EV's and probably other models down the road. We'll see how that works out.

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