Toyota Connected Services upgraded, now on HiLux

TOYOTA Australia has improved the functionality of its Connected Services technology, which includes the myToyota Connect app, and made it available on more of its models, including the top-selling HiLux ute.

Other models to receive the extended Toyota Connected Services (TCS) tech include Japanese marque’s new LandCruiser 300, Fortuner, Granvia and HiAce.

“All the technology new features and functionality have been developed and extensively tested for each specific model,” said Toyota Australia in its TCS announcement.

TCS, which incorporates safety features such as automatic collision notification, SOS emergency call and stolen vehicle tracking, was first introduced with the Yaris Cross light SUV in November 2020, with the Camry medium sedan gaining the technology in April last year.

It enables users to remotely access information via the myToyota Connect app on their smartphones, such as fuel level, recent trip data and vehicle location (depending on model).

"The launch of Toyota Connected Services in Australia saw us able to provide our customers in the small SUV segment with advanced connected safety features," said Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

"This expansion into more vehicles is another step in harnessing advanced connected technologies that not only help to deliver safer vehicles, but an enhanced ownership experience."

In the event of a serious collision (in which an airbag is deployed), TCS will automatically generate an emergency call to a 24/7 Toyota emergency call centre and relay the location of the vehicle.

Emergency assistance can also be manually requested by a vehicle occupant via an SOS button, while if the vehicle is reported stolen, the system can assist authorities to help track the vehicle's location through the stolen vehicle tracking (SVT) function.

In addition to these safety and security functions, the updated system adds convenience functionality with specific features applied to different models.

Through the myToyota Connect app, owners will be able to, depending on model, remotely check a variety of vehicle status information including odometer reading, fuel level, calculated range remaining and vehicle location. 

On some models, TCS can provide info on the status of doors, lights, windows and keys, plus provide push notifications if the owner has left the lights on, forgotten to lock their car, or close its windows.

Trip data, as well as a "drive pulse" that measures acceleration, braking and cornering speeds to help owners adopt more efficient driving styles, are also available on some models.

For vehicles that have multiple drivers, owners can remotely set limits for each driver, such as speed, location or time and receive notifications if these parameters are breached or the engine is started.

Yaris Cross and Camry owners (with the current iteration of TCS), as well as those who have bought HiLux, Fortuner, LandCruiser 300, Granvia and HiAce vehicles built from 1 July, 2021, can now download the latest version of myToyota Connect app available for iOS and Android smartphones.

Buyers of eligible vehicles will receive three years of complimentary TCS functionality from the date of delivery, after which an extension will be optional, Toyota Australia announced.