Are subscription-based car features a great way to get a little more or another way for automakers to add money to their bottom line?

The fact that your new ride might require more than 1,000 semiconductor chips should give you the idea that you’re driving a computer on wheels. So many aspects of your vehicle are now programmed through the various computers in the car that it only takes a little programming to unlock some of the features. Using programmed services, some automakers make it possible for you to enjoy more in your vehicle.

These Services Are Fine but Need Limitations

While new vehicles come with more tech and equipment than ever before, automakers should limit what’s offered as a subscription. You shouldn’t have to pay extra to drive your vehicle, unlock the doors, or enjoy some basic safety features. These services should be limited to those little extras that might make customers more comfortable, offer a bit more performance, and add extra connectivity features to the mix. If you have to pay subscription fees just to drive your car, all you’ve really got in your driveway is a large paperweight.

What Features Are Offered Through Subscriptions?

The modern automotive market is much different from what your parents and grandparents experienced. We now think of cars as unreliable if the infotainment system fails, while they had cars that were truly unreliable, leaving them stranded on the side of the road. That digression aside, when buying a car, you need to understand what potential subscription-based car features are offered with the vehicle that you might want to pay for. Let’s take a look at what some of the brands offer as add-ons to your driving experience.

Mercedes

The Mercedes-EQ line of electric vehicles is relatively new and it’s growing. As one of the top luxury brands in the market, you can expect high performance and luxury from this name. The electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz can drive a little faster if you pay $1,200 per year for this feature. The software upgrade, called “Acceleration Increase” provides enough extra power to reduce the sprint time of the Mercedes-EQ EVs by one second.

Another feature that should make it to the United States soon is a subscription for rear-wheel steering on the EQS. This changes the turning radius of the vehicle, making it much easier to handle tight corners and parking lots.

Audi

Audi offers one of the most comprehensive subscription-based lists of car features that make it an a la carte system to build the package you desire. Audi calls this “functions on demand,” and it allows you to buy various functions for your car. You could add smartphone functionality, parking assistance, and the dynamic exterior lighting items to the mix. These features are offered for the e-tron, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,Q5, Q7, and Q8 models giving some drivers a little more. Most of these features and plans are being offered in Europe but will likely make it to the US soon enough.

BMW

BMW hasn’t quite figured out what features they should charge extra for and which items that people will pay for without causing an uproar. BMW charges for heated seats in other countries and expects a monthly fee for drivers to use the automatic high-beam assist feature. They tried to have shoppers pay for Apple CarPlay but had to change that plan after some serious blowback. New BMW models sold in the United States can be had with a dash cam through the BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades for a small fee.

Cadillac

Many of the new Cadillac models are coming to the market equipped with the new Super Cruise function, but if you want to access this feature, you’ll have to pay $25 per month. Among the subscription-based car features, this is one that makes the most sense. Once this fee is paid, drivers have access to the hands-free driving across more than 200,000 miles of mapped roads in the United States and Canada. The Super Cruise feature is available on nearly every Cadillac model, including the new EVs heading to the market over the next few years.

General Motors

GM is the parent company of Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC. The GM OnStar service is one of the originally subscription-based features offered for these vehicles. This feature is a package of connected services that include remote start and vehicle diagnostics, to name a couple of the items. For some of the GM models, full access to OnStar costs up to $1,500 for three years. This payment provides an automatic crash response, roadside assistance, turn-by-turn navigation, a remote key fob, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. This could be one of the services that people can turn to as the reason why we have more of these features through subscriptions.

Porsche

As you might expect, Porsche offers several services through a subscription system. The Wi-Fi hotspot costs $20 per month, theft detection costs up to $280 per year, and the navigation and infotainment package costs $205 per year. Most Porsche shoppers are accustomed to paying more for the various items offered in Porsche vehicles. These electronic system upgrades are available for the Porsche 718, 911, Taycan, Panamera, Macan, and Cayenne.

Tesla

You could say that Tesla is now the king of subscription-based car features. One of the most popular packages that shoppers choose is the Full Self-Driving package which costs $15,000 when buying a new vehicle. This package offers the hands-free driving desired, but Tesla has been in trouble with the Full Self-Driving package in the past. This could cause some problems going forward.

Toyota

Even Toyota has gotten into the subscription game with one feature that makes your life a little easier. The Toyota Remote Connect service allows you to remotely start your vehicle, and it runs through your smartphone. This feature costs $8 per month or $80 per year. Is this a feature you’re willing to pay for?

As you can see, many of the most popular automakers have turned to subscription-based car features to add a little more to your car. As long as these automakers stick to the extras and not basic, necessary features, these services shouldn’t be problematic for most consumers.