[lux_asp]

I have MG hector (2024) and it has iSmart as its connected app.
It does provide most of the features for free and mainly below features have added cost -

Starting car and AC remotely (only important feature in my opinion)
Sharing digital key of the car with different users (felt its not much of use)
In-car bluetooth control of the AC/Sunroof/Volume/etc (felt its not much of use)
Live location tracking and sharing (provided by 3rd party apps as well)

Cost is 1500+taxes for a year and no complimentary years :|

Jio is data provider and it had some 24GB free with purchase of the car.
You need to get add-on data packs (500rs for 24GB) once it exhaust.

[Small Bot]

For my Brezza and Grand Vitara, I think I paid 10000₹ for Suzuki Connect for each car. It's validity is three years, and there will be further data usage charges annually after that. So, it's billed to the customer from Day 1.

I think after that, I'll just stop using it as I don't see too much use for it.

[shyampsunder]

I have the MG ZS EV and it seems like the connected car tech through iSmart is available for life. Didn't find any details on the number of years it's valid for or subscription renewal price.

I use it for only two things:

1. Checking the charging session while on long trips where I maybe having a meal.
2. Remotely turning on the AC

I would happily pay upto Rs 2000 per year for this if they make it paid

[CarCar]

Originally Posted by saket77

I think newer Hondas come with 5 year free subscription of 'Honda Connect', as they call it.

4. For how forgetful I can be, I am always assured that the car & windows are closed & secured. Nifty feature for me.

How exactly do you ensure the ~Windows~ are closed.

I have a Tata Punch EV and i can remotely lock/unlock it using the Z-Connect app. I can also switch on AC for 5/10/15/20/30 minutes, or Emergency Alarm lights, or Normal lights. But windows I can't touch!

[saket77]

Originally Posted by CarCar

How exactly do you ensure the ~Windows~ are closed.

I have a Tata Punch EV and i can remotely lock/unlock it using the Z-Connect app. I can also switch on AC for 5/10/15/20/30 minutes, or Emergency Alarm lights, or Normal lights. But windows I can't touch!

One cannot close the windows through the app but can check the status. The key fob can be used to close or open the windows though.
Screenshot of the app:

[Cresterk]

HyCross came with 3 years of Toyota connect included for free. Other than locking the car every once in a while when I forget and can’t be bothered to reach for the key, and remote start since it’s locked to the app, it’s pretty much useless. GPS position does not update in real time either.

[Ethnicul]

Kia connect renewal plans, post 3 year free subscription.

[Hariharan09]

I've a 2022 XUV3OO W8(O) 1.2L Turbo Petrol AMT.

It came with the Bluesense Plus subscription, first year free.

It had standard live GPS location related features, and common notifications (vehicle started, vehicle stopped, fuel filled etc.); but for me, the best feature was reviewing the route taken, with speed-based color coding on the map.

Liked that feature a lot.

A year later, it started nagging me to pay ₹5,000 (don't remember the exact amount, but it was in the ballpark) to renew the subscription.

I don't even pay that much for Netflix!

It's not about if it was ₹500 or ₹5,000, I just didn't see the value proposition. I don't review my trips that much, after coming back from a long drive.

Was traveling overseas at the time, so decided to postpone making a decision on paying for subscription, until I would've been back in India. I let the subscription expire.

Interestingly, it never stopped sending those useful notifications.

Back to present, I cannot open the app, it asks me to login and subscribe. But I get the notifications just fine.

And that works for me, for the moment.

I am fortunate enough to have secured covered parking in my basement, and MyGate would notify me if the vehicle enters through gate (through Park+ integration) or leave.

When I'm traveling alone or when my wife drives to her office or somewhere else, Whatsapp live location is much more ergonomic and smooth. We both prefer Whatsapp live location to keep each other updated in real time, and unlike the Bluesense Plus app, we can both use it in our own phones.

Yes, if I ever change my phone, I might lose access to these notifications, but that's a problem for another day.

[me&mymachine]

Make: Tata Harrier
Year 2023 (Pre facelift)
Connected Car App - iRA
Free Subscription Duration - 1 Year
i have renew the subscription for 6GB/1 year for trip info and location
recently they have moved me on IRA 2.0 where i can get ODA information but there are some glitch, Tata support told me 2.0 is beta and soon they will add more features.

[Aviator_guy]

Creta SX IVT 2021 model, first 3 years free subscription to Bluelink. Not sure about the charges thereafter.

I don't intend to renew it anyway since I hardly used any connected car tech in last 2+ years.

[abtyagi]

My wife's Hyundai Venue SX O, Turbo DCT is a Connected car. 3 year free subscription. Only used to pick up/drop son to football class etc. So did not renew the Bluelink subscription.

Having said that, if this was the primary car for the family, I would have renewed the subscription. 100%.

[manincar]

My Seltos came with 3 year free subscription. Renewed it for further 3 years. RSA comes along with Kia connect subscription. Having experienced the RSA, can’t let go of it. The app functionality are good to have but I like the peace of mind RSA offers.

[anandhsub]

Does any manufacturer let you chose the network provider or are you locked into whoever they have a tie up with?

[jinojohnt]

Toyota i-connect is free for first 3 years. Not sure about the renewal cost.
https://www.toyotabharat.com/toyota-...cle%20purchase.
Only the following remote services are available in the free version:
1. Door Lock/Unlock (unlock possible only if you locked with the app.)
2. Hazard lights
3. Trunk lock/unlock.

[HillMan]

Connected car is a new way for car manufacturers to milk an annual subscription from every car sold. Most people will renew only for the GPS tracking feature. But then what is the use of this feature if the telecom service provider is weak and no signal. There is no one solution for all regions across the country.There should be option to port the service provider. My XUV700 with Vi network is not reachable most of the time even in Bangalore let alone outskirts. To me it is as good as does not exist. Considering an OBD gps tracker.