OnStar, GM’s subscription-based telematics service, is changing, with GM rolling out a new look, a new design, and new messaging for the wholly owned subsidiary. What’s more, OnStar is set to become a major components of GM’s tech offerings as it transitions to all-electric powertrains, and now includes a slew of Google Built-In features. As such, we’re taking a closer look at the Google Built-In features included with and without an OnStar subscription.
For those readers who may be unaware, OnStar-equipped vehicles now include Google built-in compatibility, providing users with a broad range of features in addition to a wealth of other infotainment options through OnStar. Some of these Google-based featured include Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play. However, for those users that opt not to pay for an OnStar subscription, some of these features will no longer be available.
So then, what is included with and without an OnStar subscription? With regard to those who choose not to pay for a subscription, the list is quite brief, and is limited to AM/FM radio, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity, and smartphone projection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Users also have access to SiriusXM satellite radio, although SiriusXM also requires a separate subscription.
Check out the table below for more information on what is included with and without an OnStar subscription:
With OnStar Subscription (Premium Plan) | Without OnStar Subscription | Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | |
---|---|---|---|
AM/FM radio | X | X | |
SiriusXM satellite radio (subscription required) | X | X | |
Bluetooth phone and streaming audio connectivity | X | X | |
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto (projection) | X | X | X |
Google Maps – full integration | X | ||
Google Maps – integration through Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | X | ||
Google Assistant – navigation | X | X | |
Google Assistant – climate control settings | X | ||
Google Assistant – audio | X | X | |
Google Assistant – smart home devices | X | X | |
Google Assistant – hands-free communication (text messages) | X | X | |
Google Assistant – hands-free reminders | X | X | |
Hands-free communication (text messages) | X | X | X |
Google Play | X | ||
In-vehicle apps – Spotify (subscription required) | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – Waze | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – Amazon Alexa (subscription required) | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – Amazon Music (subscription required) | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – YouTube Music | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – NPR One | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – iHeart Radio | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – Google Books | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – The Weather Channel | X | X | |
In-vehicle apps – charging station locations | X | X | |
Over-the-air updates for vehicle systems | X | X | X |
Over-the-air updates for new features and services | X | ||
Unlimited in-vehicle data through Wi-Fi hotspot | X | ||
Remote vehicle access | X | ||
OnStar Automatic Crash Response | X | ||
OnStar Emergency Services | X | ||
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance | X | ||
OnStar Guardian | X |
To note, there are four separate plans when it comes to OnStar subscriptions, each with their own varying levels of services and features. These include the Preferred plan ($29.99 per month), the Essentials plan ($39.99 per month), the Preferred Plus Wi-Fi plan ($44.99 per month), and the Premium plan ($49.99). The list of available services available with a Premium OnStar subscription is included in the table above.
It’s also worth noting that GM has announced it will not offer integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in any future GM EV, starting with the Chevy Blazer EV. However,GM’s EVs, starting with the Blazer EV, will include standard connectivity allowing users to access Google Maps and Google Assistant for eight years, starting at the time of vehicle purchase, and at no extra cost.
In addition, GM does expect to offer a slew of new digital subscription services in the next several years, a move predicted to generate between $20 billion and $25 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
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Comments
i let that garbage lapse after the 3 month trial on both vehicles. i enjoy my large radio screen…….. and thats all it is! gm made it on purpose to not allow the vehicles to connect to other devices and use their internet, but you can have other devices connect to the car and use the onstar internet. convenient eh
i despise such cheap cheesy monetization moves.
What is google assistant climate control settings?
profiles for your climate. like memory seats. honestly so much useless spyware fluff.
My 2024 Duramax Sierra subscription just ran out. Had no idea they were disabling Google features too for a subscription. You will not see a dime from me in recurring fees, I already overpaid for your truck. Furthermore I Will not buy another GM until they back off on this crap……its not even their technology. Im losing google voice features, Wifi hotspot to my phone, features Ive had for as many as 10 years on previous vehicles from Jeep…..this is crap. Buy a used 2023 if youre set on GM. BS
2023 won’t get you there either. I bought a 2023 High Country last August and have the same problem you have, and Chevrolet/ GM should be held accountable for misleading the American Consumer. They advertised the big screen showing Navigation and never told us we had to buy OnStar to use it.
Chevrolet has created the Google Built-in technology and forced it on buyers without telling them what it was and what it would cost.
No where on the Chevrolet build and price website are we told that without having the OnStar programs we are unable to use the Chevrolet Navigation system, or even hands free calling.
No where on the Window sticker is it stated that without the OnStar program you can not access the Chevrolet Navigation system, or even the hands free calling, which in many states means you can not use your phone.
And nowhere during the Sales Process were we told an OnStar plan was required to use the Chevrolet Navigation system.
Tesla may be my next car.
Oh, there’s a real answer. Haha. Give Musk more money and see where that gets you.
Lol 110% agreed! No way it’s a Tesla ever….but maybe a Tundra, if they figure out how to make em less ugly……
Correction on the 2023 portion of my comment. That is admittedly hearsay fron a usually accurate friend, but i havent verified the 2023 doesnt have the same issue suxh as geo3 pointed out on his Chev. Buyer beware, do your homework, unlike me……theyre getting sneaky
You can say “do your Homework”,
but when GM’s build and price website doesn’t tell you, and the Window Sticker doesn’t tell you, and the sales people at 3 different dealerships don’t tell you I think we can safely assume that they knew how it was going to be received and chose to hide the facts.
2024 Yukon. If I figure out how to manage Android Auto to my liking when I lose my On-Star they won’t get any money from me. My salesman did tell me right before I drove away. So I guess I can’t say he didn’t tell me.
RC
GM is no longer thankful for their loyal customers
Pricing is out of site quality is down and paying for your on star.
Maybe this time if need a bale out we should let them sink!
That sucks… in older vehicles, to avoid paying for the hotspot, you could connect the car to the phone hotspot to use the connected features. I had an app set to pick hotspot on when certain Bluetooth devices connected. Was perfect to keep it all connected without OnStar.
Getting ride of Apple CarPlay and android auto…is a Huge mistake, the resale market for these vehicles will go down. People don’t want to pay for subscriptions on new cars let alone used cars.
I simply will not buy a new EV without Android Auto wireless; especially one requiring a subscription. The Chevy Bolt EUV works great with Android Auto wireless. Google built-in is just an attempt to sell subscriptions services and make you reliant on the car vendor.
Some competitors offers OnStar features for free, like Ford, GMs nemesis.
I will NOT buy a vehicle without Android Auto and GM needs to get over this silliness, now.
It will have it even without a sub.
It’s stated in the article that AA / ACP projection work without the OnStar subscription.
On star is a GM only product. No?
OnStar started out good but turned into a fraud.
Doesn’t GM realize I can practically mimic their subscription model w using apps on my iPhone? Who needs their Navigation, theft alert, etc when I have Maps, Airtag, TuneIn, and ATT/Verizon 5G?
Don’t these execs have kids for pete’s sake?
That is why they are trying to tie all of their features to a subscription while eliminating support for CarPlay/Android Auto. They don’t want their customers using something for free that they can charge for.
It costs about $30/ month to charge the car on home rates, why in the world world would I pay a premium like that for On Star to more than double my operating cost? You must be crazy. It’s on my phone and Garmin for free anyway.
Rick,
What I find borderline criminal is that without paying for the Onstar subscription my Navigation system won’t work?
I think that should be grounds for a Class Action Suit.
My 2014 Corvette had built in GPS Navigation that worked without an Onstar subscription.
My 2018 GMC Sierra had build in GPS Navigation without an Onstar subscription.
Why doesn’t my 2023 Chevrolet Silverado have a GPS Naviction system that works without an Onstar subscription?
I agreed with a class action law suit I was tricked by GMC sales that they had an updated navigation system they never said anything about having a extra charge— really makes me mad after spending 80k on a new truck.
I’ve had my radio just stop working, and the only way to get it working again is to stop, such as filling the truck with gas, going into a store etc. Half the time it blares suddenly and then stops working. The local dealer thinks it has something to do with all the Goggle crap added to the system. Dealer updated the system, said there were a couple of service bulletins out for the problem, hopefully they solved the problem. I did not renew On-star, don’t need it.
JB,
I have had the same problem a few times but it seems to have fixed itself, LOL.
I am guessing they did a software update download. I know this was done a couple of times on my 2014 Corvette.
I had the same problem. It’s the wiring to the power amp, which is located in the driver’s side rear panel on the inside of the rear hatch, where the jack is located. look where the wiring harnesses clip into the power amp and push them in to make sure they are seated correctly. Totally fixed the problem for me. for whatever reason they come loose over time. I hope it helps.
If it’s a Tahoe, like mine, The problem is the connections in the back of the vehicle where the power amps are (drivers side rear panel pulls off where jack is stored) the connections come loose and then you get this problem. That’s why it gets progressively worse and cuts out when you hit the slightest bump. Reach back and press the connections back together and you will fix the problem. It worked for me. Not sure of the power amp location for other models, but try the same thing once you locate them. Hope it helps.
I do not and will never use any Google products or services…!!! I have been a lifetime GM customer and if GM eliminates Apple CarPlay connectivity I will never buy another GM vehicle!
Marcus..No choice Goggle is built into the system out of the factory.
And even when we do not pay for the On-Star service they can monitor and track our where abouts. I think that should be grounds for a reversal of this program.
We have a choice, don’t use it.
I refuse to have a Google account or an On-star subscription. True I can not use my GM navigation system, and that will be the primary reason this may be my last GM Vehicle.
GM can still fix this by ridding our vehicles of the Google Built-In CCP privacy invasion.
Don’t need any of that stuff, sorry, just need an am/fm radio and I’m good.
Gm is greedy. They want the 20 to 30 billion starting in 2030. Lol 🐖
These subscription rates are absolutely horrific. I would not consider anything over $9.95/month. Android Auto will have to suffice. And making customers pay for emergency response… Is that even legal? Someone else mentioned lawsuit. That will certainly happen. How many attorneys at GM have failed to foresee this?
GM has always required an Onstar subscription for automatic crash response. This is nothing new.
Paying for a subscription for Automatic crash response is one thing.
Requiring a customer to pay for an OnStar subscription in order to use the built in GPS system is not right.
As I have already stated in a previous response my last 3 GM products had a GPS Navigation system that had no ONStar requirements.
And I was not informed that the 2023 Silverado required an OnStar Subscription to use the GPS. If I had know more about “Google Built-in” I might not have bought this truck.
I changed our Google password trying to start our Sunday Ticket NFL and then Google in the Tahoe would answer “Something went wrong.” Took me a while to figure it out and a while longer to put the new password in.
If GM really goes through with this, it appears to be the first major top level management mistake of the Mary Barra Era. $360 to $500 a year just to get these services? The pricing is nuts! People might go for it a $5 to $10/month, but not at these prices, holy cow! The only way this will stick is if all of the competition follows GM. I just don’t see the Koreans following. Hyundai/Kia are willing to accept much lower margins than most other auto Manufacturers, so they will almost surely not follow and see this as an opportunity to grab even more market share.
Honda is going to use the Ultium platform for their Blazer competitor. Wonder if they will support CarPlay and AA. If so, that’s where I’ll go.
Yes, they already stated that they will for Acura/Honda.
interesting how my smart phone will handle crash detection for free. I had to buy the three year plan or I couldn’t order my new truck. But when it expires it’s gone for good. I didn’t use it at all in my 2020, and can’t wait until it runs out on my 2024. Seems like it’s a ‘rights of privacy’ issue also. I don’t need GM to know where I go and how fast or slow I drive.
Unfortunately they are going to know all that information whether we pay for the On Star subscription or not.
My complaint is my 2014 Corvette had navigation whether I paid for On Star or not, my 2018 Sierra had Navigation whether I paid for On Star or not.
But now my 2023 Silverado requires me to pay for OnStar in order for the Navigation system to work. And that fact was not stated anywhere on the Window Sticker, and not mentioned by any of the dealers where I looked at 2023 Chevrolet Silverado’s.
Great Customer Service, and Customer appreciation from GM.
Buick has Onstar Premium Plan added to the MSRP &1500 for 3 years.
My ’23 Sierra has that as well. I will use it for the 3 years (since I “paid” for it) and then most likely dump it. My truck still has support for CarPlay unlike all of the new EV’s that Gm has coming out.
I just let all subscriptions lapse, the cost is not worth the convenience. I will not use built in services in a car because my phone apps using Android Auto are regularly updated and I can choose the carrier for reliability.
These moves to limit the ability to use a phone with the infotainment system are forecast to make a lot of money but will scare away far more customers. I have been loyal to GM for many years, these choices have cost then a customer. I plan to buy a new vehicle in the next year and it will not be from GM due to the infotainment lock-in and the fact they no longer make sedans.
They didn’t mention all the OnStar plans. I have their Safety and Security plan for 23.99 a month. I also have my family on it through the Guardian app. It works, and the features I get are well worth the cost, I’ve used the features a few times and I like it. DIdn’t need the more expensive plans, and as long as OnStar keep this cost reasonable, I’ll continue to subscribe to it.
I have been a owner of a 13 cruze for 10 years.Last year they took out the Onstar on my car because it was a older carI had Onstar for 10 yrs,When I called to see if I could have it put on I was told to get a newer car..Where was the loyalty to the long time users?
Same for me. That’s just bull$hit on GM’s part.
I agree but the main reason is the cell phone companies turned off 2G comms. I have a 2014 CTS and the same happened to it.
So the no carplay and android auto is big mistake and I think our roads will become even more treacherous.
You will force people to look at their phones for directions and text etc. instead of being announced and/or viewable on the big screen or In-dash.
I cant believe GM is doing this. Seems counter productive. OnStar is nice but with the crash detection on phones etc. it is becoming less of a deal. Their maps are still iffy after all these years as well. I used it on a recent trip (cause I pay for it) and the destination wasn’t accurate. Even the directions out of my neighborhood were incorrect. It’s been like that since at least 2006.
One reason I use OnStar anymore is because of the remote start and other vehicle diagnostic features.
They can’t make money by giving you something that’s free elsewhere.
It says in the chart that AA/Carplay is available so, they aren’t forcing you to have an additional sub.
The point is that the GPS is already in the vehicle and doesn’t need OnStar, they are leveraging the use of the GPS to sell more OnStar subscriptions to people who don’t want them.
I just purchased a 2024 GMC Sierra in October and just found out today from OnStar why my maps all quit working. The trial period is over and now they want $50.00/month for a OnStar subscription to turn it back on.
Last year GM started with a mandatory $1500 ONSTAR option on the new vehicles and after pubic outcry they buried the cost into the base price but finally eliminated it this year. Now they want to sell you a new 2024 vehicle with mapping and GPS then turn it off after 30 days and try to make you purchase the subscription. We have two GMC vehicles and been loyal to GM for 20 years but it looks to be over unfortunately! – 2024 Yukon Denali and 2024 Sierra sale being lost forever! – $150,000 total value!
The dealership should be required to tell the buyer that all of the Google maps and google assistant services will end after 30 days unless you renew OnStar. The google maps and google assistant were good selling points but I wasn’t informed they would be disconnected after 30 days.
It should not solely rely on the dealer to tell you, about these costs, GM is at fault too. Look at the Window Sticker, or go do the Chevy or GM site build and price.
They tell you out right that you need an extra cost subscription to use Sirius XM after the trial period, but it never stated that the GPS Navigation system requires an extra cost On-Star subscription.
Also Google is just a data collection tool to share your information with the CCP.
Agree! There should be better communication to the buyer. We paid extra in the price of our truck without knowing— for crap OnStar, we have some notifications (big deal) for 3 years and some for 5. Biggest issue is you cannot call hands free using the phone icon on the steering wheel. It says you need a data plan. What a rip off. In some states hands free is mandatory. Total Chevy/OnStar scam!
I purchased new 2024 Silverado 3500HD one month ago. My free month of Onstar is over and I chose not to keep it. Now I cannot make hands free calls because voice control requires an internet connection. Hands free calling is a safety feature that GM’s great minds have disabled to increase their income. In their own words “GM does expect to offer a slew of new digital subscription services in the next several years, a move predicted to generate between $20 billion and $25 billion in annual revenue by 2030”.
This is my third and LAST Chevrolet Pickup because Chevrolet is forcing their customers to purchase their Subscription Services for some of your safety features to work, and having the conveniences like Google Map Navigation.. As bad as I dislike Ford and Dodge Products I will purchase my next pickup from either one before purchasing another GM Product.
Hey Kenny,
Your iPhone will still give you hands free!
I realize that I can use hands free on my phone. That is not the issue. I could use the hands free control on the steering wheel on my first two Chevy Pickups to make a phone call with voice command. I could also set destinations for my Nav System and change radio stations with the same Voice Command, and I did not have Onstar service on either vehicles. That feature is no longer available on my 2024 Pickup. You have to have an internet connection. We should not have to pay for an additional subscription service for features that we paid dearly for in the price of the vehicle. Aneroid Auto and Apple CarPlay are greyed out on the display on my new truck so these are no long available to the owner.
Chevrolet has forgotten the US taxpayers bailed their ass out a few years ago through the government bail out. They have discarded their Loyal and first time Customers by making them purchase a subscription service for the accessories in their vehicle work. This is just wrong!
Kenny,
You can use hands free from your iPhone through your Chevy trucks system without OsStar. I do this in my 2023 Cadillac XT5.
That’s on a 2023. it worked fine on my 2009 and 2019 2500HD too, BUT that is not the case on my 2024 3500HD. It tells me that I have to have an internet connection for it to work, when these functions were controlled through Bluetooth on both of my older trucks. This change was for Chevrolet to continue making money after the sale.
I have purchased a total of five Chevrolet vehicles since 1995. I think I have been loyal to Chevrolet for all these years. I feel like they are screwing their customers now. It’s wrong for a company to force you to pay $50 a month for the advertised features on your new vehicle to work. Heaven knows you pay enough for the vehicle as it is.
In their own words “GM does expect to offer a slew of new digital subscription services in the next several years, a move predicted to generate between $20 billion and $25 billion in annual revenue by 2030”. Are they a car company or a Service Provider Company?
Hands free Cell phone use is also the law in several states.
I use Apple CarPlay for phone use.
I just bought a 2024 Colorado and have now learned about the navigation/subscription issue. At no time before delivery was I told that the basic navigation was not included in the price. Not sure if Android connection will work, but even if it does when we cross the border I will need a data roaming plan for another ridiculous fee. I agree with the previous posts, a class action suit might wake GM up. Say $1,800 per vehicle to compensate for 5 years basic service (or just give 5 years of free nav connection through OnStar). This sneaky undocumented cash grab by GM seems worse than the still ridiculous, but advertised, subscription services by other manufacturers.
After reading many of the comments it surprises me no one mentions that, without the data plan, you lose the hands-free dialing function on the steering wheel. That one function is the most important feature of the system, in my opinion. If a class-action suit were to be filed, I believe this one safety feature being taken away w/o a paid data plan, would be the best case. I can foresee someone having an accident because they had to make a needed call by using only the infotainment screen or phone as opposed to being able to just press a button on the steering wheel and telling the system to dial “x”, never taking your eyes off the road.
I was planning on upgrading my Bolt EUV to Equinox EV to get a bit more space, better battery, and built in Google. But learning you need OnStar for built in voice assistant features & live Nav, that you lose in 3 months (or 3 years?), forget it. Going with Volvo or Kia.
Just traded in a 2019 Colorado for a new 2024 Colorado, Was SHOCKED to learn that GM’s safety concerns now come with a price tag. Charging for navigation and hands free calling is just unconscionable! Honestly, if I knew this was the case BEFORE I made the purchase, I would NOT have done so. I have purchased 3 Colorado’s in the past and this will definitely be my last GM as long as they are going to charge for such safety items. GM is charging anywhere from 30 to 60 thousand dollars for their Colorado and now they want 30 dollars a month MORE added to the cost of ownership!
Corporate greed will never cease to amaze me. So long General Motors.
You nailed it when you said “if I knew this was the case BEFORE I made the purchase”. I agree 100%, I not hear it from any of the 3 different dealers I shopped for my Silverado High Country. And you are not informed during GM’s Build and Price process that On star is required for your Navigation system. They tell you all about the big screen but never mention that you need a subscription to use it. And it also is not stated on my Window Sticker, it clearly states that you need to pay a subscription fee to use the Sirius XM radio in the trunk, but not the GPS Nav system.
I couldn’t agree more.
I’d never pay more than $10k for any car that required a monthly subscription! And at $30-$40k, they should pay you to use their software!
I see that I am not the only person up set with my GMC that lost navigation. My sales guy never told me it will stop after a few weeks. If I would have been told the truth when purchasing the truck I would have walked away from the deal. Lesson learned by me. Never again will I purchase a GM product. Who the heck wants the added cost on an already expensive truck.
One of the main reasons GM wants to use Google services onboard is the data it can sell. Why do you think they are pushing in car data. Imagine all of the ads popping up in maps for McDonalds or Starbucks or the nearest Walgreens. Cash isn’t king anymore. Your data is king now.
So, I just found out that I have to pay for the features in my truck that I already paid for when I purchased the truck?! WTF!
Please show my in all that paperwork that I signed that states I will lose all these after hardly a month of a new vehicle!
I will never ever buy from GM/CHEVY again! Guess I’ll keep my 77′ Chevy and go back to the bare bones, like I just overpaid for! Greedy MF’s!
Should have listened to my husband and stayed with TOYOTA!
Now, I wonder if we can push a lawsuit at this point?!
Just think if you had bought a EV from GM it is free for 8 years— but now their move is to get rid of Apple Car Play— if you buy a Toyota they are following GM they charge after the 3 year but the price is nothing like On Star and they tell you on the front and list it on the window—No more GM vehicles for me
The previous poster stated:
“if you buy a Toyota they are following GM they charge after the 3 year but the price is nothing like On Star and they tell you on the front and list it on the window”
And there in my opinion is the basis for a class action suit with a reversal of this GM Decision for all of us who were duped into thinking we were buying a vehicle with a big screen Navigation system built-in.
The difference is that Toyota is charging after 3 years, on my 2023 Silverado High Country Gm wanted to charge after 30 days.
I will tell everyone I know to buy a dodge or Ford. Most of these features are free with them. Can’t beleive how low general motors has sunk. I’m now regretting buying a chevrolet.
I just found out about the nav on my 24 Silverado 2500. Which I would have known this before buying as well. I asked the salesman when he was showing me the features of if there was a subscription required for the nav and he said no just for the o star features. Guess he was uninformed or flat out lied to me. Frustrating that they did it this way and probably would swayed my decision on purchasing it at this definitely seems like a class action law suit is needed. Fords come with it free.
Should be free for 8 years. If not, never buying GM again.
Why limit it to 8 years?
GPS Navigation has been in my GM vehicles for over a decade. It is hardware and software that we bought and paid for when we purchased our vehicle.
If you want map updates then you buy an updated map every couple years.
This has nothing to do with On-Star and certainly worked very well prior to GM and Google uniting to share our private data with anyone wh has the money to buy it.
Was planning on driving my 2016 Ram 1500 with 227K+ miles on it until it died and ten maybe try a GM ( Newer Chevy ZR2′ look nice ) but after reading all the Google Built-In and Onstar crap I’ll stick with Ram.
Stellantis is doing something similar as all auto manufacturers, 227,000 on a Ram? You must have put 3 transmissions in it. I personally could not get 75,000 miles out of a transmission on our 2016 Ram, among other issues. Ram left bad a taste for me, glad to hear everyone wasn’t as unfortunate as us.
From my understanding, this will become the standard across all car manufacturing
You could be rightI hear others are following along. But with enough bad press from Customers, and lost sales maybe we can get them to change direction.
They obviously tried to hide this change, because as I have said previously, no where in the Build/price website did it ever mention that you have to have OnStar to use the Navigation system. It is also not called out on the Window sticker, like it is for the SXM Radio subscription. This was also never mentioned by any salesman at three different dealerships that I went to last August to buy my 2023 Silverado.
You know it’s a lot like Ford and GM have done to slow the introduction and building of the EV’s that just do not have the demand that was expected. Customers don’t buy it, they quit building it.
I am not ready to be tethered to a charging station and I am also not ready to pay a monthly fee to use Technology that I bought and paid for when I bought my truck.