Premium Connectivity pricing and what you get
Tesla's Premium Connectivity is a monthly subscription that costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year in the United States. The service gives you in-car access to features like live traffic maps, satellite imagery in the navigation system, streaming music and video, and the ability to send destinations to your car from your phone.
Your Tesla comes with a trial period of Premium Connectivity — usually three months for new vehicles, though this varies depending on when you bought the car and which model you own. Once the trial ends, the service stops working unless you pay for a subscription. You can turn it on and off whenever you want through your Tesla account, so you are not locked into a long-term commitment.
The price and features are the same whether you own a Model 3, Model Y, Model S, or Model X. Tesla does not offer different tiers of connectivity — it is one service at one price point.
Key Takeaways
- Premium Connectivity costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year in the United States, and you can cancel anytime through your Tesla account.
- New Tesla vehicles include a free trial period of Premium Connectivity, usually three months, before you need to pay.
- The service includes live traffic, satellite map imagery, music and video streaming, and the ability to send navigation destinations from your phone to your car.
- Without Premium Connectivity, your car still has basic navigation and can connect to WiFi for some functions, but live traffic and streaming features will not work.
What features require Premium Connectivity
Live traffic information is one of the main reasons people keep the subscription. Without it, your navigation shows you a route but not real-time traffic conditions, so you cannot see delays or accidents ahead. The map also cannot show satellite imagery — you get a basic street map instead.
Music and video streaming through the in-car entertainment system requires Premium Connectivity. You can still play music from your phone over Bluetooth or from a USB drive, but you cannot stream Spotify, YouTube, or other services directly through the car's screen without the subscription.
The ability to send a destination from your phone to your car — sometimes called "Send to Car" — also needs Premium Connectivity. Without it, you have to enter the address manually on the car's touchscreen.
What works without Premium Connectivity
Your Tesla's basic navigation still functions without the subscription. You can enter addresses, see the route, and get turn-by-turn directions. The map just will not show live traffic or satellite imagery, and you cannot send destinations from your phone.
If you connect to WiFi, some features like software updates and certain entertainment options work without Premium Connectivity. Your car can also use Bluetooth to connect to your phone for calls, texts, and music playback from your phone's apps.
Supercharging, remote climate control, vehicle locking and unlocking, and checking your battery level through the Tesla app all work without Premium Connectivity. These are core vehicle functions that do not depend on the subscription.
How to check your trial status and manage your subscription
Open the Tesla mobile app and tap the car icon at the bottom. Scroll down to find "Premium Connectivity" — it will show whether your trial is active and how many days remain. If the trial has ended and you have not subscribed, it will say "Inactive."
To start a paid subscription, tap on the Premium Connectivity section and select your billing option: monthly or annual. You will be asked to confirm your payment method. The subscription begins when ready and renews automatically on the same date each month or year.
To cancel, go back to the same section in the app and select "Manage Subscription," then choose "Cancel." Your service will continue until the end of your current billing period, and you will not be charged again after that date.
Pricing in other countries
The cost of Premium Connectivity varies outside the United States. In Canada, it is typically CAD $12.99 per month or CAD $129 per year. In the United Kingdom and Europe, prices are set in local currency and tend to be higher in absolute terms but similar when converted to US dollars.
Some countries do not offer Premium Connectivity at all, or offer it under a different name with slightly different features. If you own a Tesla outside the US, check your Tesla app to see what options are available in your region.
Whether Premium Connectivity is worth the cost
The decision depends on how you use your car. If you drive the same routes regularly and do not need real-time traffic information, you might not miss it. If you spend a lot of time in your car and like streaming music or video, or if you frequently navigate to new places, the subscription becomes more useful.
Live traffic is the feature most people say they value most, especially in areas with heavy congestion. The annual plan ($99) works out to about $8.25 per month, so if you think you will use the service for the full year, it costs less than the monthly option.
You can always turn the subscription on for a month or two to test it, then cancel if you decide it is not worth it for your situation. There is no penalty for canceling, and you can reactivate it later if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my Premium Connectivity if I sell my Tesla?
Premium Connectivity is tied to your Tesla account, not to the car itself. When you transfer ownership to a new owner, the subscription does not transfer with it. The new owner will have their own trial period when they set up their account.
Can I use Premium Connectivity on multiple Tesla vehicles with one account?
No. Each vehicle needs its own Premium Connectivity subscription. If you own two Teslas, you would need to pay for two subscriptions if you want both cars to have the service.
Does Premium Connectivity work outside the United States?
Yes, but only in countries where Tesla offers the service. The features and pricing may differ. Check your Tesla app to see what is available in your location. Some countries have limited or no Premium Connectivity service.
Will my car still get software updates without Premium Connectivity?
Yes. Software updates read over WiFi and do not require Premium Connectivity. You can also use the Tesla app to schedule updates even without the subscription.
Can I pause my Premium Connectivity subscription instead of canceling?
Tesla does not offer a pause feature. You can cancel and restart your subscription whenever you want, but you cannot temporarily suspend it. When you restart, you will be charged the current rate for your chosen billing period.