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Toyota Connected Service: Breaking down what $8 to $32 per month gets you

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We’ve covered subscription services for automakers a lot lately, and it all started when Publisher Tim Esterdahl got perturbed over his new 2022 Toyota Tundra’s and remote start not being free, technically. You see, Toyota, like many manufacturers have shifted business plans (i.e. profiteering) to include Toyota Connected Service.

When you look at what’s included, it sounds like an added amount of niceties for those who buy a Toyota vehicle, but take note: Toyota Connected Service costs $8/month or $80/year. It may sound like small change that you won’t miss, but the methods of sneaking this in as a “trial basis” seemed a little shady to us.

So with that in mind, we wanted to break down what was part of the pay-to-play Toyota Connected Service.

UPDATE: 2022 Toyota Tundra connected services extended, remote start update

Remote Start: Not free for Toyota

This was the thing that started it all for us. Esterdahl lost his mind over some key fob issues and even got Toyota’s engineers involved in the fiasco. It was all documented in this great video.

But yes remote start is part of Toyota’s Connected Service (i.e. subscription) and is listed under Remote Connect as $8/month or $80/year. So, even if you use your key fob to do remote start, it won’t work after the subscription expires.

Remote Connect runs through an app on your phone and includes other handy features that also are part of a subscription. They include:

  • Guest driver – Get alerts sent to the primary account owner related to exceeding preset limits of speed, curfew or miles driven.
  • Vehicle status alerts – Check the status of your Toyota vehicle’s doors, windows, odometer and fuel level.
  • Last parked location – Locate your vehicle in a crowded parking lot with Last Parked Location.
  • Remote lock/unlock – Remotely lock/unlock your doors with your phone from anywhere.

Editor’s note: Since posting this article, there has been an update to the remote start subscription fee. Be sure to watch the video below for details.

Safety Connect: Pay for extra peace of mind

Of course GM started this entire trend with OnStar, which has made them billions of dollars over the years. But 2022 Toyota vehicles will offer Safety Connect features, for an additional $8/month or $80/year subscription fee.

Some of the Safety Connect services that will cost you include:

  • Emergency assistance – Engaging the Emergency Assistance button in your vehicle can connect you with a 24/7 response center agent who can request dispatch of necessary emergency services to your vehicle’s location in case of a medical or other emergency on the road.
  • Enhanced roadside assistance – At the press of the Emergency Assistance Button, you can connect with 24/7 Roadside Assistance, which gives you the peace of mind that help is on the way.
  • Automatic collision notification – A 24/7 response center is automatically notified in the event of an airbag deployment or severe rear-end collision. The 24/7 response center agent will attempt to speak with the vehicle’s occupants and then notify local emergency services to request dispatch of emergency services to the vehicle’s location.
  • Stolen vehicle locator – Should you find yourself in a vehicle-theft situation, immediately file a police report and notify a response center so agents can assist authorities in locating your vehicle using GPS technology.

Drive Connect: Cloud-based extras

“The Cloud” is something we all hear about and few of us really understand what it means. But Toyota’s Drive Connect service is a yet another separate subscription service that costs $16/month or $160/year. Toyota’s Drive Connect subscription debuts in the 2022 Tundra but will be integrated into other Toyota vehicles too.

Think of this service as a personal digital assistance (like Hey Siri), but instead you ask your Toyota for help with various in-car functions such as changing audio settings or the climate control in select models.

Another aspect is cloud-based navigation that includes Google Point-Of-Interest search capability and the ability to share your ETA with contacts in your phone book.

Being Wi-Fi capable allows for system and navigation updates to be installed “over-the-air” so the vehicle will always be up to date. New roads constructed? OTA updates will allow the map to include those too.

Bottom line on Toyota Connected Service

Yes, this shift to pay-per-feature is kind of annoying. But there are many conveniences that make our lives easier, so shouldn’t an automaker attach value to it?

For a full chart of what Connected Services are available for what Toyota vehicle, reference this website.

And while all this makes sense from a business perspective, it also adds up. If you want all the services, you could be paying as much as $32 per month or $320 per year.

But just like that service offer from Vinspy to run a VIN code check on that European vehicle you planned on procuring, you may suddenly find yourself praising your forethought, and for making the upfront investment.

However, if you aren’t okay with it, don’t subscribe. If the profits aren’t there, the automakers will get the message. We want to hear your feedback, what services are you okay paying for and which ones bug you? Leave us your comment below.

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Jimmy Dinsmore

Jimmy is News Editor for PickupTruckTalk with an expertise in new vehicles. He is also a Ford Mustang historian having authored the book Mustang by Design (available on Amazon). His second book, about the history of Ford's F-Series truck comes out next year.

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32 Comments

  1. Wesley March 24, 2022

    I’m a disappointed new owner of a 2022 Tundra. I have bought new Tundra’s for many years. I was totally unaware of this process until on my way home with the new truck. If I had known this information before I definitely would have purchased another manufacturer’s truck.

    I have owned this truck for a week as of today, I hav spent approximately 12 hrs trying to update information. I even went and bought a new iPhone 13 to try to connect. Went back to dealer today with no more satisfaction than I had all week..

    VERY UNHAPPY with Toyota..

    Reply
    1. Adam Minkley May 2, 2023

      If you are in the Dallas Fort Worth area it will be worth your time to go see Adam Minkley at Freeman Toyota. He knows these and will save you time and show you three options for free Navigation with wireless Carplay or Android Auto. Also he can answer any other questions you may have!

      Reply
      1. Adam Minkley Sucks July 8, 2023

        Bro, shut up. Stop trying to plug yourself

        Reply
  2. J. Lester May 16, 2022

    I have a 2019 Toyota Avalon Limited Edition. I am still paying the car note. I do not live in a cold area where remote start could be a plus. I have a phone that has gps updates and I can call for help if I need it. If i’m unable to for help, someone around me even a stranger, will call for help. For as much as I paid for this car, I refuse to pay extra for unnecessary features.

    Reply
    1. TTT October 28, 2022

      Exactly. Total crap – it should be included as long as you purchase the vehicle. Why would I waste my money on this after paying so much for a vehicle? Wish I had the skills to develop a free knock off app.

      Reply
      1. Adam Minkley May 2, 2023

        Its already there called Waze or Google maps, or Apple maps you won’t need dynamic navigation

        Reply
        1. Billy Bane May 5, 2023

          Can it be displayed on the dashboard screen?

          Reply
          1. Sean May 5, 2023

            Yes. Plug your iPhone or Android phone into the USB port and the main screen can become an extension of your phone. You may need to launch the Android Auto or Apple CarPlay app from the “Apps” menu. This will let you use your preferred map app and voice commands from your phone on the main screen of the car. Much better than the built-in maps.

            Reply
  3. ET Orlando July 9, 2022

    2019 RAV4 had tire blowout which resulted in minor accident. Used Toyota Safety Connect for help, pretty cumbersome and worthless so will not renew and switch back to cheaper AAA as response times are faster. Remote Connect is nice for alerts on vehicle security, remote start, etc.

    Reply
  4. Max August 12, 2022

    Remote start should be included with the vehicle. You should not have to pay extra for this service. You can get remote service already and not have to pay for it. What I am told is even though you have remote service, if you don’t pay for service connect you won’t have remote service that is completely wrong.

    Reply
  5. Anonymous August 22, 2022

    Toyota has to pay for sponsoring Nascar race teams. Now I see how they can afford $20 million a year for each car now!

    Reply
  6. JE September 5, 2022

    Truthfully, this is the one hang up I have with pulling the trigger on a new Toyota. I used my remote start in my old car all the time, so that is a feature I am used to and use frequently. Toyota is not making it easy for me to switch to Toyota. If I’m going to be paying that much for a new car, I should NOT have to pay extra for that feature.

    Reply
    1. Adam Minkley May 2, 2023

      the trial is Free for the first year. After that it cost $80 a year so $160 for the first three years seems Like a good deal when you can start your car from out of state or from inside the airport or from inside anywhere in your home. If you want to go to car toys and add remote start for $600 that is your option and you never pay again. Lots of people only keep a car three years so with the choice they would choose $160. Don’t let remote start, stop you from buying one of the best Quality cars you may ever own in your whole life!

      Reply
  7. BP September 18, 2022

    I don’t like having to agree with a master consent to get services I should be able to choose which services I want or don’t however they make it easy to opt out but read the fine print very clearly if you do they will automatically turn on the DMC for full function only way is pull the fuse on it either way you loose remote start you can do everything the offer with cell phone just by paying your cell bill Toyota just cramming more down people my first Toyota very unhappy but all car makers are going that way even the built in cameras record inside the vechicle and outside insurance companies don’t give discounts for having one so why bother because the information on them could possibly go in your favor or not if a accident happens

    Reply
  8. Dave September 20, 2022

    I am extremely disappointed that the key fob remote start will not work without the subscription. This seems absolutely ridiculous since it is a simple feature when the vehicle is in range of the fob. I have little use for starting the vehicle when I’m further away than that. I am likely not going to subscribe to any of the services as they just aren’t worth paying for in my opinion.

    Reply
  9. Steve Otero October 21, 2022

    The majority of auto makers include auto start on key fobs since 2012, using your phone to auto start is more time consuming than using a phone.
    Maps and finding where my car is if stolen and be remedied by a hidden tracker fob
    You pay XXX amount for a quality vehicle and they want more, in the year I have owned the 2021 Highlander Platinum I have not used any of the services. I asked if I could delete the App since it is useless

    Reply
  10. Roger G Horton November 3, 2022

    I’m very disappointed that Toyota requires a Connected Service subscription for me to read the tire pressure on my 2020 Rav4. My 2016 Camry had individual tire pressure on the information display, but they removed it on the 2020 Rav4. When I had the initial Connected Service, I could read the tire pressure on my phone. That was still worse than the Camry, but when I didn’t renew the subscription, I could not read it at all. That will be a consideration when I buy my next vehicle. I’m angry and I refuse to pay $16/mo. for that convenience.

    Reply
    1. Adam Minkley May 2, 2023

      it should be $80 per year or $8 per month. press the sos button to talk to live agent. or 1-800-GO Toyota

      Reply
  11. WB November 20, 2022

    Thank you for the great article. I had narrowed my choice down between 2023 Toyota RAV4 and 2023 Subaru Forester the article helped in my choice and I went with the Subaru Forester.

    Reply
  12. Jared December 1, 2022

    You are a champ! Just tried the key fob trick from your video for my 2022 Tacoma and it worked! Who knew? I feel like I just learned the secret code to Mario Bros but in this case, it’ll save me $80/yr on the subscription I really didn’t want to buy. I hate nickel & dime type subscriptions. Thanks again!!

    Reply
  13. Tony January 1, 2023

    I just bought a 2023 corolla cross and took an out of town trip only to find out i still have to use my phone for gps instead of screen they showed me at dealership. Found out had to pay to use navigation. This is not right specially since i have to plug my phone into the system and transfer my phone gps to the screen. I could understand if it used its own navigation; but it uses navigation from my phone. Absolutely not acceptable to charge for this.

    Reply
    1. Adam Minkley May 2, 2023

      I don’t think you understand the free Apple car play or Android auto is always free it’s from your phone. The only app that cost money is called dynamic Navigation and you will never need it.

      Reply
  14. MARK January 17, 2023

    23 Tacoma OFFROAD model.
    Nondisclosure of subscription costs for what was put forth as “included” was irrating. Especially after dealer setting them up and no mention of costs.. Doubt I will pay for any after trials end

    Reply
  15. Nancy Bagent January 29, 2023

    The remote start has a very short distance for it to work anyway. But what really ticks me off is that no one told me until they just shut it off! This is my third Toyota and LAST!

    Reply
  16. Daniel February 10, 2023

    I had a deposit on a new Lexus TX and willing to wait a year for it come out.
    I will now be going back to the store and getting my deposit back.
    Functions that were once common is now becoming a scam.
    I will gladly pay for each function as an upgrade but not a subscription.

    Reply
  17. Carl February 14, 2023

    For a $50K vehicle – these services should be provided for at least 4 or 5 years, especially the safety connect! I do not need remote start…but will be considering the others – but those of us living on a fixed income this additional cost is worrisome.

    Reply
  18. Robert March 3, 2023

    We were wanting to buy a new 2023 Sequoia for around $80k. After seeing this about remote start we were immediately turned off. We are now looking at the Yukon. Its unfortunate because we loved the look of the Sequoia but we aren’t going to pay for something that comes with the purchase of the vehicles from other OEMs.

    Reply
    1. Larry March 13, 2023

      Unfortunately, you will run into similar costs if you go with a GM product. To get many ‘features’ you will need to buy the OnStar services which can cost $30 or more per month. I have a 2018 Chevy Silverado 3500HD diesel and pay about $30 per month for OnStar Guardian service and an additional $20 per month for unlimited internet.

      As we are only using the truck occasionally for towing a large horse trailer, I may be dropping both of these services and using Android Auto via USB cable for similar services (other than those specific to truck operations and emergency service).

      Reply
  19. Rib March 10, 2023

    Ford offers the same for free. Remote start, doors lock and unlock, find your car ect. All free. How can Ford do it, but Toyota can’t?

    Reply
  20. Oliver March 23, 2023

    Muchas gracias por el video ya me a horre $160.00 al año

    Reply
  21. RICHARD WINTERS April 17, 2023

    NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE PAY SERVICES AND THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THEM ,YOU SPEND 70 THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A VEHICLE AND THEY TURN AROUND AND HIT YOU WITH THIS.ITS BAIT AND SWITCH AS YOU GET USED TO HAVING THE SERVICE AND THEN IT EXPIRES AND YOU HAVE TO PAY MONTHLY,
    CHARGE A FLAT RATE OF 100 -125 DOLLARS A YEAR FOR ALL SERVICE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE CHARGE .
    I REFUSE TO SIGN UP AT $320 A YEAR FOR ALL SERVICES.
    MIGHT BE DONE WITH TOYOTA LOOKING AT CHEVY IR GMC IN THE FUTURE
    DO NOT LIKE NICKEL AND DIME

    Reply
  22. Jeff May 2, 2023

    The only things I really need are remote door locking on the road, and theft protection. Nothing else. This is costing me $15 a month, with a bunch of stuff included that I don’t understand and don’t want (Google music?). What I REALLY want is a CD player in the Tundra.

    Reply

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