One Year old Tacoma- Anyone paying $15 for remote features in the app?

[Lando]

It is a dangerous slope, I’ve heard on some cars the subscription is needed for the heated seats to work and other features.

Right now is just the early phase, training the masses to pay a monthly subscription to have features on a new vehicle. Eventually it may be needed for most features on most cars.

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[Sagebrush]

A truck with cheap plastics and no nav unless you pay.

Lando: You've been here since 2023, and if I read your avatar correctly, you don't own a Toyota. Is that correct?

You don't pay for CarPlay or Android Auto, and of course, Google Maps is more refined than subscription-based highway navigation programs.

For off-road stuff, I used Gaia and OnX, and I don't blink at having to pay a subscription. They are products I'm willing to pay for.

 

[maxx075]

Lando: You've been here since 2023, and if I read your avatar correctly, you don't own a Toyota. Is that correct?

You don't pay for CarPlay or Android Auto, and of course, Google Maps and other programs such as Gaia or OnX work great for backcountry driving–much better than a subscription-based map system.

Devil's advocate here, but OnX and such are still subscription based service. Though I agree, much better in back country where service is limited or nonexistent.

 

[gpburdell]

Yes this is a good hack, I wonder what others there are. (Roll down windows I’ve seen on another car)

Tacoma owners manual mentions holding unlock to roll down windows, but it might need to be enabled by dealer (which means Carista might be able to enable it if it's not working).

It is a dangerous slope, I’ve heard on some cars the subscription is needed for the heated seats to work and other features.

Right now is just the early phase, training the masses to pay a monthly subscription to have features on a new vehicle. Eventually it may be needed for most features on most cars.

Yes, BMW tried the heated seats subscription but discontinued due to backlash. I'd imagine we'll see continued efforts towards a Vehicle as a Service model - already look at how many lease instead of own.

and frankly, the Toyota $15/mo thing is part of why I've not yet bought a 4th gen. I'd be okay with the $80/yr that Toyota used to offer - that's close enuf to what my aftermarket system costs on my 2017 Tacoma, and I do use the app based remote start regularly enough that it's worth it.

I find it troubling that Toyota used to offer that option, but is now forcing people into paying more than double by forced bundling with an unneeded service. That's a clearly a money grab. The cellular service is still active for the ServiceConnect and SafetyConnect services, so it's not like they're trying to recoup the cost. They're just blocking features unless you pay. As you say - slippery slope - what next? Will that become $30/mo?

That Ford offers their version of remote connect for free does have me considering a Ranger when I do make a change. My wife's been very happy with her Bronco Sport. Biggest thing holding me back though is I can't find any Ford equivalent of the Toyota wallet keyfob - which I've become extremely fond of having. Just grab my wallet and phone and I'm good to go. No lumpy keyfob in my pocket.

 

[Sagebrush]

Devil's advocate here, but On and such are still subscription based service.

You're correct, of course. I edited my post.

 

[Lando]

Lando: You've been here since 2023, and if I read your avatar correctly, you don't own a Toyota. Is that correct?

You are incorrect. I’ve owned my 2024 OR for almost a year. I’ve posted a good unbiased one year review on this site that is worth checking out.

 

[tgrneal]

I use the app. I like most if not all the features on these newer modern vehicles. People do pay for convivence. The range on our key fobs isn't great in my opinion. its nice that i can start my truck and warm it up or cool it off before I get in from much further than the key fob allows, not to mention viewing the status (even if it isn't always up to date). Unfortunately it makes sense that they use the subscription model since someone needs to update and maintain the app. I just wish that they'd bring back the annual payment option.

 

[rkohlerbend]

I’m absolutely pissed off about this. I don’t have an issue with charging a subscription fee for added features like real time traffic, but the basic Nav should just work in my $60,000 truck.

 

[JayT1989]

My one year trial of all the connected services just ran out. I went into the app to subscribe to remote connect and found that you can't. You get it in a bundle with the other 3 choices, but I don't need the other crap they want me to pay for. $15/mo or $180/yr just to get remote connect isn't worth it to me.

I have a friend who purchased a 2023 Tacoma and when his trial ran out, he was able to subscribe to just remote connect by calling them.

So I called Toyota customer service and asked to just purchase connected services and the nice lady on the phone told me I was the third customer that day to ask that, but unfortunately, they are not allowed to sell that as stand alone.
I asked if there was any discounts available, and was again told no.

My only recourse was to write to Toyota customer service and complain. I tried to reason with them that getting some of my money per month is better than getting none of my money. They basically brushed me off and said they would record my suggestion with headquarters and perhaps offer it in the future.

I can only think that some penny pincher did some math and figured that the people they con into paying $15 per month is more than they lose to people who would have paid some amount for connected services.

I suggest that if you really want to subscribe to just the connected services as a stand alone service, that you complain to Toyota customer service. Perhaps if they get enough complaints, they will offer it.

 

[GimmeAtaco]

I did up and pay the $15/Mo for the app because when it is 110° outside it sure is nice to get in a cool car and I suppose the opposite would be true in the winter. I agree it should only be $5 /mo. not $15 I don't use the other features other than the Lock / Unlock and the remote start. The Key Fob has to be within range to use.

 

[goin2drt]

I am just over the "subscription for everything" and "tip for everything" society we now live in.

Sure it is only $15/month. Add that to SXM, Netflix, YT TV, Hulu, Disney etc etc etc and every other subscription and it just becomes BS. People are then forced to pick and choose.

Many just say "it's only...X$ a month". Yeah but they are ALL just a few bucks a month and people are getting tired of it. I know I am and so are many others. When I buy a fully loaded car or truck I expect it to come FULLY LOADED at that price.

 

[rkohlerbend]

I am just over the "subscription for everything" and "tip for everything" society we now live in.

Sure it is only $15/month. Add that to SXM, Netflix, YT TV, Hulu, Disney etc etc etc and every other subscription and it just becomes BS. People are then forced to pick and choose.

Many just say "it's only...X$ a month". Yeah but they are ALL just a few bucks a month and people are getting tired of it. I know I am and so are many others. When I buy a fully loaded car or truck I expect it to come FULLY LOADED at that price.

Fully loaded is absolutely correct! This is a classic bait and switch.

 

[gpburdell]

I can only think that some penny pincher did some math and figured that the people they con into paying $15 per month is more than they lose to people who would have paid some amount for connected services.

I suggest that if you really want to subscribe to just the connected services as a stand alone service, that you complain to Toyota customer service. Perhaps if they get enough complaints, they will offer it.

Yes, through 2023 they offered stand alone remote connect at $8/mo or $80/yr.

For 2024+ it's only in a $15/mo bundle with no annual discount.

That's what's so annoying - they already had a complete ordering & fulfillment system so they could easily offer it again if they so chose.

There may be hope - GMC as of 2025 model year is including 8 years of onstar basic which includes remote start / lock / unlock as standard. See here. They've also cut pricing on a bunch of the other plans. See here.

Downside is it seems to be model year specific, screwing the 2024 owners.

I did up and pay the $15/Mo for the app because when it is 110° outside it sure is nice to get in a cool car and I suppose the opposite would be true in the winter. I agree it should only be $5 /mo. not $15 I don't use the other features other than the Lock / Unlock and the remote start. The Key Fob has to be within range to use.

Yeah, I use third-party app based remote start regularly on my 2017. Really handy to start it cooling OTA as my wife and I finish a restaurant meal or some other outing. I also often use if if I have our dog with me and need to run into a store for ten minutes (never gone very long).

Per above, GMC is offering it free for 8 years now for 2025 MY buyers. Ford's version is free for life of vehicle - my wife's Bronco Sport came with it. Connected Nav would be an additional cost, but not needed with carplay.

I wonder if Toyota might consider a change of heart if people responded to any of their socials posts with comments about them charging for stuff Ford and GM provide at no cost.

At any rate, I don't need to buy a new truck right now even as much as I like the 4th gen powertrain, so I'm at least waiting to see 2026MY specs.

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