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Nothing is depressing like having a key fob with buttons for remote start that don’t work. But the feature can work if you pay a subscription for it. Toyota and Subaru are only two of the automakers dabbling with user subscriptions for basic features. 

Toyota and Subaru nickel and dime people with subscriptions 

Stellantis is really underappreciated by how available it makes features like remote start, a power liftgate, heated seats, and more with a subscription. 

Toyota and Subaru need to follow its lead instead of forcing extra costs for convenience features that have been historically packaged with higher trim levels. 

Since 2022, certain Toyota models have bundled services into monthly subscription plans. The plan is for future generations to include these plans. 

The Music Lover plan for $15 allows you to play music through existing Amazon and Apple Music accounts with your vehicle’s road connection. So, instead of using your phone for these apps that you already pay for, you can connect via satellite. 

The Go Anywhere plan is $15 per month to access up-to-date navigation, live navigation services, and a seamless virtual assistant. It sounds similar to phone apps with Siri or Alexa. 

The 2024 Subaru Outback off-roading
2024 Subaru Outback | Subaru

Remote Connect for $80 a year allows you to start and lock your vehicle via your phone or smartwatch. This is a free service with Hyundai and Genesis vehicles. Toyota vehicles will no longer have remote start on the keyfob. 

With Subaru, you need the STARLINK app for remote services like remote start or remote lock/unlock. It costs $99 per year or $9.95 per month. 

Of course, it has other bells and whistles like Bluetooth connectivity, and navigation assistance. Plus, you get roadside assistance. 

But this could only be the beginning. Some automakers are charging monthly fees for heated seats and have talked about charging a subscription for safety features like automatic emergency braking. 

Toyota and Subaru aren’t the only brands that want to add to our monthly payments. Audi, BMW, General Motors, Ford, and more claim people have room in their monthly budgets for subscriptions.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.