Is Tesla Premium Connectivity Worth It?

In the world of Tesla ownership, there’s a lot of debate about is Premium Connectivity worth it? Let’s find out whether you should pay $9.99/month to get the Premium Connectivity or subscription. 

What is Tesla Premium Connectivity?

According to how Tesla markets it, Premium connectivity is a feature-packed subscription that enhances the driving experience with a variety of services beyond the standard vehicle capabilities. For this, Tesla charges you $9.99/month, but what exactly does it entail?

The short answer is:

Premium Connectivity is just another name for the cellular network in your Tesla. Although it augments your Tesla's already advanced technology with additional infotainment, convenience, and safety features, but let’s dig deeper to find out whether it's worth it or not.

How Much Does Premium Connectivity Cost?

Tesla’s Standard Connectivity vs Premium Connectivity

When you buy a Tesla, it comes equipped with the Standard Connectivity. But very few Tesla owners read the fine print that says - Standard Connectivity has an expiry of 8 years beginning on the first day your vehicle was delivered as new by Tesla or the first day it is put into service (for example, used as a demonstrator or service vehicle), whichever comes first. 

This means, if you are buying a used car, you must always check whether it comes with Standard Connectivity or not. 

Standard Connectivity gives you the access to most connectivity and infotainment features over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, including basic maps and navigation features and streaming services.

Then why do you even need Premium Connectivity?

Image Source: Tesla

Unlike Standard Connectivity, with Premium Connectivity, you can browse the internet, stream movies and music, and have Caraoke fun with the kids, even while you are away in the woods, or at a Supercharger, where there is no Wi-Fi. 

On top of that you receive enhanced navigation aids like live traffic visualization and satellite-view maps.

But the most important offering is the enhanced Sentry Mode that can be helpful in 2 scenarios: 

Keep a check on your car’s safety:

Let’s say you leave your car in a public parking for an extended period of time. For example, if you go on an international trip, you might need to leave your car in the airport parking of your home country.

With Premium Connectivity, you can use your Tesla’s external cameras to get updates on your car in real-time on your Tesla phone app. This way you can travel carefree.

Dog Mode:

Let’s say you go to a place where you can’t take your dog with you and you can’t leave him alone at home. You can leave your dog in the car and put the car in Dog Mode.

Although Dog Mode is available in all Teslas without the Premium Connectivity, with Premium Connectivity you can access the Tesla’s inside cameras that show you whether your dog is safe inside the car or not. As a petowner, that’s of utmost importance. 

The Big Question - Should You Buy Premium Connectivity?

Now that you know what Premium Connectivity offers, the big question still remains, should you get it. The answer is yes and no.

The value of Premium Connectivity largely depends on how you use your Tesla. Before subscribing for Premium Connectivity,  you should ask the following questions to yourself:

1. Do you consume a lot of content in you car?

Yes - You can consider Premium Connectivity, but you will need the streaming subscription in addition to Premium Connectivity.

Otherwise, you can also browse some of the streaming apps when connected with your mobile hotspot. 

No - Premium Connectivity is not for you

2. Do you really need the live traffic visualization?

Yes - Premium Connectivity is a must for you.

However, you must know, live-traffic visualization, just displays the traffic on your screen. Your Tesla still reroutes without Premium Connectivity. You just won’t get to know why it rerouted.

No - Premium Connectivity is not for you

3. Does your cell phone plan offer enough data to use its hotspot instead? 

Yes - Premium Connectivity is not for you. You can use any in-car charger to keep your phone battery levels to the optimum while you are connected to Hotspot. Jowua offers several such solutions, you can check them out here.

No - You should compare the cost of getting addition cell phone data to the cost of Premium Connectivity before buying it.

4. Will you leave your car parked in a public parking unattended for a long period of time?

Yes - You must get the Premium Connectivity subscription just for the time period you will leave your car unattended in a public parking. 

No -  Premium Connectivity is not for you. 

5. Are you going on a long off-the-grid camping trip where Wi-Fi will not be available?

Yes - You can get the Premium Connectivity subscription just for the time period you will be on the off-the-grid camping trip.

You should not overuse your phone’s hotspot and run out of battery, and it’s better to have an extra cellular connection handy for emergencies.

No -  Premium Connectivity is not for you. 

6. Is the convenience of not setting up a hotspot or being tied to the Wi-fi worth paying for the Premium Connectivity subscription?

Yes - You can get the Premium Connectivity subscription 

No -  Premium Connectivity is not for you. 

7. Has your Tesla’s Standard Connectivity Expired?

The Final Verdict

If you are one of those Tesla owners who don’t mind paying those extra $9.99 per month for the added convenience, Premium Connectivity can be indispensable. 

You can subscribe to it from your Tesla screen and from the Tesla App, find out complete instructions on our Premium Connectivity FAQ page.

However, for most Tesla owners alternative solutions, such as setting up a mobile hotspot, are sufficient. That’s because as a driver, you might not even use the streaming services, and as a passenger, you can easily use your phone, iPad, or other devices. 

But if you still can’t figure it out, you do get free trials on purchase of a new Tesla, or you can try it for a few months and then cancel it any time, just like any other OTT subscription. 

To cancel your Premium Connectivity subscription Open the Tesla app >Tap 'Upgrades' > 'Manage Upgrades.’ > Find Premium Connectivity, tap 'Manage.' > Next to Premium Connectivity, tap 'Cancel.’

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