by Chris Adede . Dec 28, 2022
Everything You Need to Know About Tesla's Premium Connectivity in 2022
Source: Tesla
Have you ever heard of the phrase 'premium connectivity?' It is a new standard connectivity feature Tesla has designed for its vehicles. So what is it? Do you need premium connectivity? What are the benefits of premium connectivity, and is it worth the price tag to purchase premium connectivity? We'll take a deep dive into all that and much more.
Tesla is constantly improving its vehicles. Connectivity is one of the most important elements in the driving experience. It can help you access features that require data usage, such as streaming music and media, live traffic visualization, and more.
All Tesla vehicles come with standard connectivity, but if you’re looking for more than just navigation, purchase premium connectivity for added features.
Premium connectivity provides access to all features over cellular and an engaging ownership experience. When you purchase a Tesla, you receive notifications about how long your vehicle will have access to premium connectivity before it expires.
Tesla Standard Connectivity vs. Premium Connectivity – What’s the Difference?
Tesla's original Model S was a high-end car that featured many common things in luxury cars. This meant that it came with premium connectivity, the most advanced infotainment system available in any automobile.
However, Tesla has since released less expensive models (Model 3). With these cars being more affordable and accessible to a wider range of consumers, they also came with standard connectivity instead of premium connectivity.
One feature that remains changing is the premium connectivity. Initially featured on all Teslas, there have been changes in tech and data visualization that saw two payment structures: standard and premium for Tesla cars.
Below is a quick roundup of what both packages entail for car owners:
Standard Connectivity
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Navigation
- Tesla Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- Music streaming (WiFi only)
- Video streaming (WiFi only)
- Karaoke (WiFi only)
- Internet browser (WiFi only)
A common feature with the standard connectivity is that Tesla owners can only access these features via WiFi. If you lack a stable WiFi connection, the only available features include OVA updates and Navigation. However, one amazing feature with standard connectivity is its ability to self-update.
Premium Connectivity
| Connectivity Packages | Standard Included | Premium $9.99/mo plus applicable tax |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live Traffic Visualization | - | ✓ |
| Satellite-View Maps | - | ✓ |
| Video Streaming" | - | ✓ |
| Caraoke* | - | ✓ |
| Music Streaming* | - | ✓ |
| Internet Browser | - | ✓ |
Source: Tesla
- Video streaming (WiFi + LTE)
- Music streaming (WiFi + LTE)
- Satellite-View Maps
- Live traffic visualization
- Internet browser (WiFi + LTE)
- Karaoke (WiFi + LTE)
Regarding Tesla cars, premium connectivity is the best option for many owners. The standard connectivity package can be sufficient for some, but two added features make premium connectivity a worthy investment.
Premium Connectivity includes two added features that lack in the standard connectivity; Live Traffic Visualization and Satellite-View Maps. These two added features are essential for commuting daily and during road trips, as they allow you to use your car’s navigation system while staying up to date with current traffic conditions along your route.
The premium package allows most features to be accessible through AT&T cellular network, making it possible to access any supported video and audio apps with a decent network signal. This allows access to any supported video and audio apps with a decent network signal.
How Much Is Tesla Premium Connectivity?
Credit: Vehicle Answers
Tesla charges $9.99 monthly for a Premium Connectivity subscription, which gives you access to the car’s internet-connected features, including navigation, web browsing, and entertainment.
Are Discounts Available for Premium Connectivity?
There are no discounts for Tesla premium connectivity at the moment. However, you can find a discount with the annual package that goes for $99.99.
However, if you purchased your Tesla from an authorized dealer near you, you can take advantage of free trial options depending on where you purchased the Tesla.
Are Free Trials Available for Tesla Premium Connectivity?
There are free trial versions available, depending on the model you buy. Currently, Tesla offers an annual free trial of premium connectivity for new orders on Model S and Model X. Model 3 and Model Y new models feature a 30-day free trial.
Do I Need Premium Connectivity on My Tesla? Or Is Tesla Premium Connectivity Worth It?
When deciding whether or not to get Tesla Premium Connectivity, it's important to consider your needs.
For example, suppose you have a Tesla Model S. In that case, you might need Premium Connectivity because it allows you to update the software on your car remotely and make any necessary changes.
How Do You Know If You Have Premium Connectivity in Your Tesla?
You can tell if you have premium connectivity by looking in your on-screen menu system's “Software” section. The expiration date will appear in the center of the screen, and you can also see if it's been activated by clicking on “Premium Connectivity.”
Can I Cancel Tesla Premium Connectivity and How To Do It
Tesla owners can cancel their monthly premium connectivity feature at any time. All they have to do is log into their Tesla account and cancel the monthly feature. If an owner cancels in the middle of an active subscription, they won't get a refund.
However, canceling the subscription only removes premium connectivity features at the end of your billing cycle.
Can You Use Tesla Premium Connectivity As a Hotspot?
Tesla Premium Connectivity allows you to use your Tesla as a hotspot. This means you can tether your phone or other devices to the car's WiFi and use it as a mobile hotspot.
However, there are some limitations. You will not be able to use the full features of Premium Connectivity if you are tethering to your phone's wifi (e.g., live traffic visualization). If you want to access these features, you will need to get a subscription from Tesla and use the built-in wifi feature that comes with it.
Closing Thoughts
The new Tesla Premium Connectivity is a worthwhile investment for Tesla owners looking to take their driving experience to the next level. And even if you're not, the standard connectivity package is solid enough to support your Tesla driving experience.
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