You may have heard of Subaru‘s in-vehicle technology Starlink, but you might not know exactly what it does. Starlink offers safety and entertainment features to keep you and your passengers safe and connected. With Subaru Starlink powering the infotainment system, you can easily get help on the road when you need it.

Starlink is a duo of in-vehicle systems offering hands-free connectivity to keep you entertained and safe on the road. How does Starlink work? What features does it offer? We’ve got all the details.

Subaru’s Starlink Safety and Security feature

One side of Subaru’s system is Starlink Safety and Security, Autobytel reports. This part offers a full slate of features, including automatic collision alerts, roadside assistance, remote services, and more. 

The top safety feature is the automatic collision notification. If your vehicle’s airbags deploy, the system will connect you with a customer care adviser at Starlink. The adviser will assess the situation, confirm your location, ascertain your needs, and send first responders to your GPS location.

There’s also roadside assistance for accidents and medical emergencies. The system’s kiosk features a red SOS button that you push to contact Starlink customer care from anywhere in the United States. If you have a flat tire or run out of gas, the blue “i” button alerts the services of your exact GPS location so you can get the help you need.

The system also monitors your vehicle’s overall condition. Each month, you’ll get an email with access to your Monthly Vehicle Health Report. You’ll also receive email notifications to remind you about maintenance and explain dashboard alerts for visits to your local Subaru dealership.

You also get remote services to access certain features from the MySubaru mobile app, such as door locks, break-in alerts, and vehicle location. With the stolen vehicle recovery feature, the Starlink team will work with law enforcement to try to recover your car after you file a police report.

And according to Subaru, this side of the system also offers the Starlink Concierge package. It gives you “in-vehicle, real-time assistance with restaurant and hotel reservations and purchasing tickets for sporting/theater events.” This feature can also “help you search for points of interest and schedule service appointments at your preferred Subaru retailer, all at the touch of a button.”

Subaru’s Starlink Multimedia feature

The other side of Subaru’s system is Starlink Multimedia. It gives you access to navigation, the latest news, music, podcasts, and the weather.

This part of Starlink provides a vast suite of multimedia features you can navigate on a high-resolution touchscreen. The Starlink app gives you access via your phone to services such as iHeartRadio, Magellan NAVI, Pandora, and SiriusXM. Using an Android or Apple device, you can connect to your Subaru vehicle’s system for easy access and safety features.

The voice command system also allows you to control certain safety features. And you can request entertainment, make phone calls, and adjust climate control on select models. You can also easily and safely request navigation.

Availability and value

You can get Starlink through a subscription service in 2021 Subaru Ascent, Crosstrek, Forester, and other select models. You’ll receive one year of free Starlink Safety Plus if you buy a new or certified pre-owned Subaru model equipped with the Starlink system. Starlink Safety Plus includes automatic collision notification, diagnostic alerts, enhanced roadside assistance, and the SOS emergency assistance feature. Maintenance notifications and monthly vehicle health reports also come with it.

Otherwise, a Starlink subscription costs $99 per year. To add the Security Plus features like remote lock and unlock, remote horns and lights, remote vehicle location, stolen vehicle recovery, and vehicle security notifications, you’ll pay $49 for the first year and $149 each year thereafter. (There’s also this class-action suit against Subaru tied to its Starlink infotainment systems to take into consideration.)

All in all, if you value safety for yourself and your passengers, the Starlink system more than justifies the cost. When you factor in a free year of service or a discounted year for the premium safety features and free multimedia features, you see that Starlink has a lot to offer.