Problem using iPod Touch (7th gen) in the car

This has nothing to do with what data is on the device, per se.

And NO.

The iPod classic was strictly a music/audio podcasts and video player that had no real OS other than one to just play music and videos and show photos/images.

You could NOT install apps on an iPod classic of any other previous iPod.

You could not surf the Internet with any iPod.

iPods didn't have Wifi and I do not think the iPod Classic had any Bluetooth.

Your iPod classic, I believe connected by data cable, I bet, and NOT Bluetooth.

So that hardwired connection was, more or less, intantaneous.

The head unit in your car, more than likely uses Apple Car Play or some other software which allows the use of wireless mobile devices..

The iPod Touch is a full blown wirless mobile computer that runs iOS and iOS apps and is a much more complicated device.

Basically an iPod Touch is an iPhone without the phone part.

The iPod Touch models connects to your car over Bluetooth and ONLY use the Lighting port for charging.

So, this may mean it takes a little longer for the device to get recognized over Bluetooth.

It is what it is.

Like I stated, previously, I believe this is a normal behaviour.

At least it works when the Bluetooth device is finally recognized.

Hmmm.

I have no clue, then

The issue I have, which is similar to yours happens over Bluetooth, using my SUV's center media console unit, with my 6th gen iPod Touch.

Maybe that is your issue.

Your car stereo unit may take some time to figure out how your iPod Touch is connected to the unit.

Does your car stereo unit have wireless Bluetooth capability?

This may not be an iDevice issue, but an issue/operation of the car stereo head unit.

Either way, a 10 year old iPod Classic is not the same as an iPod Touch and maybe NOT perform exactly the same, either.

Michel has a point: the iPod Touch is far more complex than an iPod Classic. It's not a reasonable comparison.

You only have to consider how long it takes for the battery icon to give the actual reading of the battery when the Touch is first powered up. That's because the Touch has to start up apps, which the Classic did not have to do. Not just that but given that your car is very recent, it's quite probable that the car and the iPod are exchanging protocols about things such as Apple Car Play, even if you're not using it. In other words, your car could well be checking to see if certain features (such as Apple Car Play) are turned on, even if you're not intending to use it.*

My 6th generation iPod Touch also takes a while before the car stereo sees it, and I connect to the car using a USB connection (because I use the Bluetooth for my Android phone). Sometimes it takes longer than other times. I simply accept it and enjoy the music once it starts. If you get too concerned about this, all that will happen is that you will enjoy your iPod less as a result.

* edited by author after initial posting, for clarity.

My iPod Touch 6th gen has always done this in my previous Kia Sportage and now in my Chevy Equinox.

I think this is just normal behaviour.