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GM OnStar One Essentials Package Becomes OnStar Basics

Earlier this year, GM Authority reported that 2025 model-year GM vehicle buyers will have access to a selection of popular OnStar features as part of the OnStar One Essentials package. With that in mind, it now appears as though The General has elected to rebrand this offer as OnStar Basics.

Outside of the name change, it’s worth noting that the list of features the OnStar Basics package offers is essentially unchanged from the One Essentials package. This means that Automatic Crash Response, remote vehicle commands, navigation and voice assistance will all continue to be offered as standard on new 2025 GM vehicles at no extra cost, for a duration of eight years.

As a reminder, the 2025 Trax and 2025 Envista were among the first GM vehicles to include the then-new One Essentials package. For reference, most 2024 Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles have been equipped as standard with the Three Years of Remote Access plan (RPO code PRF), which provides remote control of properly configured vehicles, including remote door locking, vehicle status, roadside assistance, and more.

Notably, some Buick, GMC, and Cadillac models are equipped with the Three Years of Premium Plan (RPO code R9M) as standard fare.

Photo of OnStar logo.

Of course, General Motors’ Automatic Crash Response feature will still connect consumers to an Emergency Advisor moments after an accident, even if they are unresponsive. The advisor can then provide medical assistance and relay information to first responders. Meanwhile, remote vehicle commands allow customers to manage their vehicle using their smartphone, providing features like remote lock and unlock, remote start, and vehicle location. Finally, navigation and voice assistance adds apps like Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Waze.

“By standardizing some of our most appealing OnStar features, we can deliver more technology and value at every price point, helping ensure our vehicles and customers stay connected for the long term,” GM North America President Marissa West noted back in February 2024. “With this move, every new vehicle in our lineup will include a compelling set of safety and connected services that is distinct to GM thanks to nearly 30 years of OnStar experience and innovation.”

As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

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Comments

  1. Last I heard GM was still selling driver information to data brokers. I don’t want any of this in my car.

    Reply
  2. Bought new a 2017 Camaro RS, a 2020 Equinox LT, and two weeks ago a new 2024 Cadillac XT4 and have never used the Onstar on any of them to date.

    Reply
    1. Pretty sure your car used their infrastructure, but ideally you shouldn’t need to directly use them as that may mean you’re severely injured or incapacitated from a seriously unfortunate incident. There’s potentially a lot of trauma that comes with being at the other end of that connection in unfortunate circumstances and it’s a tough business model to make sure there’s someone there when needed.

      Reply
  3. That change makes sense. The confusing naming of Onstar packages was one of the issues raised in the “One Star” chapter of the Chevrolet Bolt book.

    Reply
  4. On Star in My 2024 Sierra, as suggested a being included free above, is a $49.99 per month option in Canada.

    Reply
  5. Got it. Never use it. Couldn’t make account, support needed 35minutes to make account.. and after getting my account I uninstalled the trash app. Who would pay for this??? It doesn’t do anything. For morons.. by morons.

    Reply

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