My 2024 Toyota RAV4 Is Holding Me Ransom. Toyota’s Drive Connect Was Free, Now They Want Me to Pay for It?

It's a situation that happens to every Toyota customer when they reach their Toyota RAV4's first anniversary. 

One day, your Toyota Drive Connect and Remote Connect services are working perfectly. You've come to depend on them when you are in your car, and the next day, they won't work.

Now, Toyota says you must pay a $15 monthly fee to use services that were previously free of charge. It's not a good day for Kevin Sees, who describes his dilemma on the Toyota RAV4 Owners Facebook page. 

Kevin, like many 2024 Toyota RAV4 owners, recently encountered a frustrating roadblock: his free trial for Toyota's Drive Connect and Remote Connect services had expired, and he suddenly faced a $15 monthly fee to continue using his car's technology. 

For Kevin, whose primary concern is navigation, this felt like highway robbery. 

But here's the good news: if you're an Android user, you don't have to pay to get your phone's navigation on your RAV4's console. 

First, imagine Kevin looking for a way to use his Android cell phone for navigation on the car's console without paying the subscription, but has only found options to renew the service.  

He's seeking information on whether this is possible or if he's missing a specific setting or link.

Here is how Kevin's day likely went.

Kevin gripped the steering wheel, his jaw tight. Just yesterday, his 2024 RAV4 Limited felt like an extension of himself, thanks to its modern technology. Now, it was just a car. 

The one-year trial for Drive Connect and Remote Connect had expired, and Toyota now wanted $15 a month for him to use the technology he already owned.

"Fifteen bucks," I can hear him muttering, shaking his head. "For something free! It's highway robbery." He'd grown accustomed to the seamless navigation, the remote start on frosty mornings, and the peace of mind that came with knowing his car was connected. Now, a digital paywall stood between him and those conveniences.

He'd spent the better part of the evening scrolling through forums, hoping for a magic link, a secret handshake that would bypass Toyota's subscription gate. 

"Android Auto, MirrorLink, anything!" he'd pleaded with the internet. But every promising thread led to a dead end, or worse, a suggestion to renew his subscription.

He'd even tried it in the car, tapping through the console's menu, but it always led to the same screen, a digital hand outstretched, demanding payment. "Am I missing something?" he wondered aloud, "Is there some hidden setting, some obscure button?"

Kevin says, 

My Toyota RAV4 is holding me ransom. The Drive Connect and Remote Connect services on my 2024 RAV4 Limited have just expired, and I am unwilling to pay Toyota $15 a month to use my car's technology. 

I have searched and read other posts related to this topic, but I did not see any recent comments on using my Android cell phone to display navigation on the console. 

I attempted to do this, but could only see the option to renew my subscription. I felt like I was missing something, like there was a solution out there that I wasn't aware of. Is there a link that will let this work?

Kevin is not the only RAV4 owner in this situation. 

Do other Toyota RAV4 owners experience issues paying a subscription for Drive Connect and Remote Connect when their free plan expires?

Many Toyota RAV4 owners experience frustration when their free trial of Drive Connect and Remote Connect expires, leaving them with the cost of the subscription. Often, they find the bundled pricing with features they don't need to be too expensive, according to Toyota owners on Reddit.  

Some owners feel that the features are not worth the monthly cost, particularly if they only need basic remote functions, such as checking the charge of a hybrid battery. 

Reddit user Area51Sunburn says, Well, it looks like my Remote Connect and Drive Connect services expire in 2 days (from the purchase of my 2024 RAV4 XSE). I will miss the Remote Connect; however, for $15 per month, Toyota can keep it. 

I might have been willing to consider it for $2 to $3 per month, but $15 is just stupid. I've always been opposed to these technology subscriptions. They sound cool (at least some of those offering value), but then they keep increasing the prices without offering anything additional. The next thing you know, you are paying a house payment for a bunch of services that you use occasionally.

BuddyBurrowsForever says My wonderful 2024 Prime passed its one-year mark a few weeks ago, and I'm finally seeing the end of the Remote Subscription that people have discussed here.

It's such a sparse app, and I've never used it for anything other than checking to see if I remembered to charge the battery. Honestly, that's the only thing. Am I missing something?

It's not worth $15 a month, and I'm curious if there's any other way to check if your battery is charged without starting the car.

Toyota could do so much with this app and develop a superior interface to the existing one, but they haven't.

So, what's the simple solution Kevin was missing?

The 2024 Toyota RAV4, regardless of Drive Connect subscription status, comes standard with wireless Android Auto. This means you don't need to pay Toyota a dime to project your Android phone's navigation, music, and other compatible apps directly onto your car's console.

Here's how to get it working:

1. Update your Android Auto app: Ensure the app on your phone is up to date.
2. Connect wirelessly: Pair your Android phone to your RAV4's infotainment system via Bluetooth.
3. Select Android Auto: On your car's multimedia display, select the Android Auto icon.

How About You?

Did you face a similar dilemma with your Toyota's Drive Connect trial? What did you decide to do when your free period ended? Share your experience in the red Add Comments below!

Check out my Toyota story: I Bought a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, It’s a $60,000 Car and My Navigation Doesn’t Work, Now Toyota Says I Have To Pay More For Their App For It To Work

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl