That could be considered closed minded as well. It depends on your area. Garmin (NAVTEQ) doesn't hold a candle to Google in my area (east coast, Baltimore/DC). Nor do they have the resources too.
Latest update to NAVTEQ maps released at the end of May (2015.10 US & Canada East) is about 1 - 1 1/2 years behind Google maps for this area (mileage may vary) judging by new roads, bridges and roundabouts. POI aren't even close as is to be expected by an ad company such as Google.
That said Garmins NAVTEQ maps are waaaaay better then Tom Tom for my area who Apple relies on. My first stand alone GPS was a tom tom and I didn't realize how bad it was until I got a Garmin.
Although a Garmin stand alone is my main navigation unit I find Google maps to be superior in every way. I continue to use Garmin because it's convenient and it's not BAD either just not as good.
But like I said the area is the biggest factor.
+1
Frankly, I'm surprised by even the handful of posts that say Apple Maps is better, I guess it must boil down to which local area you live in where Apple/TomTom put some effort into updates.
I'm in Canada and Google Maps is far superior to Apple and Garmin. And I've updated my Garmins (I have lifetime map updates on all my Nuvis) but I stopped using them because, as you've correctly pointed out, even the latest NAVTEQ NA update is over a year old in terms of POIs and other things.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Google maps wins hands down for a number of reasons:
1. Error reporting/handling/updates - sorry but Apple maps has been downright shameful in this regard. Every error report I've submitted from years ago has gone into the abyss. Even reports submitted directly to TomTom via MapShare haven't made their way to Apple Maps. In contrast, Google Maps updates errors within days and you get status updates via email.
2. POI database - no comparison here, it's not even a level playing field where I am. If I'm extremely lucky, as in struck-by-lightning lucky, Apple Maps will find the POI I'm looking for.
3. Traffic - not even close, especially since Google's Waze acquisition - Apple maps shows no traffic info in my area, at all. And Yes, traffic is enabled in Apple Maps.
4. Lane Guidance - Apple Maps doesn't even have it.
5. Offline Maps - Same
6. Street View integration has been a real time saver in many instances for me
7. One-handed single-finger operation of zooming in and out
8. Bike routing
and that's just mentioning the few things that come to mind.
I just wish Apple would allow us to make 3rd party maps the default. Right now I have to copy and paste address links into Google Maps from Mail and Safari instead of just clicking on them.