Would You Pay A Monthly Fee For Remote Start? New Subaru Models Already Require It

I can't even get these remote and Starlink features in Massachusetts because of the ongoing dispute between Subaru and a Massachusetts law requiring open access to diagnostic codes, etc. However I think there would be a literal uprising if any manufacturer dared charge a monthly fee to use something you purchased like heated seats that are already in the car. Subarus loyal fans would vanish rather quickly.

You are not entirely correct about Subaru Starlink connected Services. The three year free trial is Safety Plus which does not include remote start. The next upgrade is Security Plus which includes remote start, other remote features such as lock, unlock, locate, or send navigation destination to vehicle map, as well as theft protection features. While there is a 6 month free trial available, most take the $75 for 3 year plan. The service that does restaurant reservations, navigation assistance, scheduling appointments is called Concierge. It is a third level of the Plan and is not as widely enrolled in as Safety and Security Plus.

Considering a bunch of this article describes Subaru's offerings it's surprising so much of the detail is wrong. David's comment below is much more accurate.

This is honestly appalling. I hope other manufacturers don't take Subaru's lead. People already pay for these features when they get their eyes ripped out at the dealership. To make people pay extra for SAFETY features is just plain criminal. I'm not touching Subaru with a 10ft pole now.

We have this on our 2021 Crosstrek and it fails to work over 50% of the time. It's a terrible implementation that Subaru has yet to fix.

This is only true if you don't have the remote start module and remote. You can still get that on these Subarus independent of the Starlink remote start feature.

My hope is that if these features aren't enabled (paid for), that they remain firewalled off and less vulnerable to hackers. But given the "fobrob" exploit, I rather doubt that that is the case. Even worse (2017) "it’s being reported that the attacker can also brick the owner’s own key fob with an integer overrun and render the user’s own key fob useless."

Perhaps Subaru needs to spend more money on software development, and less money on rally cars.

I have a 2019 Crosstrek and remote engine start is available through Starlink subscription (second tier, security +) as well.
Convenient in the winter but I hate that I have to pay for subscription of a feature that it already has. I used my discounted price to try but I cancelled after it ran out.

My 3 years just ended and I opted for Compustar remote start from Best Buy for around $259. Forget monthly payments!

This Starlink System is similar to GM’s Onstar, but for a fraction of the price. As a Subaru salesperson and recent purchaser of a new Subaru Forester, this upgrade to your vehicle ownership experience is a no-brainer for anyone buying a new Subaru. So many Safety and Security systems included for about 50 cents a week for up to 7 years out of the gate. You can bet I bought the full max 7 yr introductory package for max savings. Both my wife and I love the remote start right from our phones along with climate control settings prior to starting the car. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Let it be clear subaru offers regular remote start with a physical remote, no monthly subscription needed. You can pay for a year of Starlink services that include remote start from your smartphone, also can unlock the doors. It's honestly great to have the ability to turn on your vehicle and have it warm while you're checking out at the store and it's -40 outside. Also Ram has a similar subscription to use their remote start as well.

This is a little misleading. You only need the subscription if you want to remote start over the internet using the app. Regular remote start using the key fob doesn't require a subscription.

Have a Subaru on order from Japan - will cancel if safety features or any other basic features are on subscription. Once I buy a car, it is mine and I don't want to be required to pay whatever price a manufacturer decides it can get from a captive audience. I have my own roadside service and can use Android Auto as long as it doesn't cost anything to hook up to the console. So I don't need to be linked to a manufacturer.

I was thinking about buying a Subaru but just by reading this as heated seats is a option you pay for when purchasing a vehicle you shouldn't have to pay a monthly fee to use that option.. ridiculous I think I have just changed my mind on this vehicle to my second choice

A form of extortion. Pay up or your vehicle will be disabled. If I own it it should work

Hilariously misleading. The Subaru hate is real. Everything they do there’s nothing but negativity coming from here and now they’re not being honest?

It is amazing how off the information is and how people just believe everything they read. I work for Subaru and have for several years. Subaru star link is nothing more than Subaru‘s version of On star which has been around for years on American vehicles. There is not one safety feature that you have to pay to get unlocked. The pre-collision braking system comes standard in every new automatic transmission Subaru on the market and items like Blindspot detection and reverse automatic braking are optional equipment just like they are on all other brands. As for the remote start on every automatic vehicle there is an option given upon purchase either you can pay to have a remote start installed with a key fob which is at a minimum $450 I believe and it can come like that from the factory or dealer installed or …. You can pay to upgrade your star link from the basic package to allow for remote start, lock and unlock, and climate control from your cell phone. People who tend to lease vehicles for three years or keep them until the 3year bumper to bumper warranty runs out would much rather pay a $75 subscription than an additional $450 to have remote start on their vehicle. That is why it is offered plus in most cases it is better than the fob remote start especially if you would like to remote start your vehicle without line of sight. As for paying a subscription to unlock additional features like heated seats etc. that is not a model that Subaru is using. So before all you Subaru fans start bashing Subaru and saying that you’re not buying another one these are the real facts.