Many automakers offer limited free trials of connected features on new models that normally require a paid subscription. In many cases, these freebies last for a year, and the logic behind offering them is simple: Live with the feature for a full 12 months, and it becomes hard to live without it. That’s why I pay $15 a month for a remote lock on my GR Corolla. However, Stellantis has been on a roll lately, and apparently wants to continue that trajectory, so it’s promising to give buyers of most 2027 models across all brands a full decade of features like remote start, locks, and automatic SOS calls before they have to pay.
It’s all part of a revived “Connect One” scheme, which The following features are included: :
- Remote Engine Start/Stop
- Lock/unlock doors with remote
- Over-the-air (OTA) software updates
- monthly vehicle health report
- Vehicle Health and Recall Alerts
- service scheduling
- Automatic SOS Call
- Clear personal data remotely
- Games in the vehicle via App Market
The Connect One does not offer remote horn/flashing lights, stolen vehicle assistance, or connected navigation – these are available in the advanced Connect Plus tier. However, anyone who buys a 2027 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer S, or Alfa Romeo also gets three years. At that point, the only feature you’ll need to add if you want is a Wi-Fi hotspot for $13 per month.
But, back to Connect One stuff. For the life of me, I don’t understand why more automakers don’t try this. These features cost nothing to run, and while obviously giving them up for 10 years means losing some profits, it’s a handy freebie, especially when you’re not selling as many cars as you’d like, or when vehicle prices have risen to deal-breaking levels for many consumers.
Now, when I shared this recent announcement with my coworkers, of drive Joel Feder determined that the Stellantis app for connected-car features — especially in the Wagner S, as it turns out — wasn’t the most consistent or reliable in his experience. You know what they say about getting what you pay for, and with the 2027 model-year vehicles priced at “free,” if I had my eye on a Stellantis model, I’d be excited to bet on these luxuries. And hey—maybe having a larger group of customers using this stuff will inspire the company to address the lingering issues.
Have any experience with Stellantis’ connected-car app features? Leave a comment or contact us at tips@thedrive.com
