Tesla connectivity is not included in the car's purchase price — you pay a separate monthly or annual fee to unlock features like navigation, streaming, and remote vehicle control

When you buy a Tesla, the car comes with basic functions: driving, climate control, and local controls through the touchscreen. To use features that require an internet connection — real-time traffic, satellite maps, music streaming, the ability to unlock your car from your phone, or precondition the battery remotely — you need to pay for Tesla Premium Connectivity. This is a subscription you purchase separately from the vehicle itself.

The cost varies by region and changes periodically. In the United States, Tesla typically charges around $12 per month or $120 per year for Premium Connectivity. Some newer Tesla vehicles come with a trial period included, usually three months to one year depending on the model and when it was purchased. After the trial ends, you choose whether to subscribe or let the service lapse.

Key Takeaways

  • Tesla Premium Connectivity costs roughly $12 monthly or $120 annually in the US, though the exact price varies by location and may change over time.
  • Without a subscription, your Tesla still works for driving and local climate control, but loses real-time traffic, satellite maps, music streaming, and remote phone controls.
  • New Tesla vehicles often include a trial subscription of three months to one year; after it expires, you decide whether to pay for ongoing service.
  • You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time through the Tesla app or vehicle touchscreen without penalty.

What Premium Connectivity includes

Premium Connectivity unlocks several categories of features. Navigation and traffic become real-time: instead of static maps, you see live traffic conditions and the system reroutes you around congestion. Streaming services include access to music and podcasts through the car's speakers — Spotify, Apple Music, and other apps that require an internet connection. Remote vehicle access lets you unlock the car, check its location, precondition the battery (warm it up or cool it down before you drive), and monitor charging status from the Tesla app on your phone.

You also get Sentry Mode video access, which lets you view security camera footage from your car remotely, and live camera feeds if your vehicle has the hardware for it. The service also includes access to Tesla's cloud-based vehicle data, so your car can send diagnostic information and receive over-the-air software updates more reliably.

What your Tesla can still do without Premium Connectivity

Dropping the subscription does not disable your car. You retain all core driving functions: acceleration, braking, steering, climate control, and local touchscreen controls. Your Tesla can still navigate using offline maps that are stored on the vehicle itself, though these maps update less frequently and do not show real-time traffic. You can still play music from files stored on the car or through Bluetooth from your phone.

The main loss is real-time information and remote access. You cannot unlock the car from your phone, check its location remotely, or see live traffic. Sentry Mode still records video locally on the car's storage, but you cannot view it from your phone — you have to sit in the car to watch it. For most drivers, this is a trade-off between convenience and cost rather than a loss of essential function.

How to check your current subscription status

Open the Tesla app on your phone and look at the account section, or sit in the car and go to Controls > Service > Connectivity on the touchscreen. Both places show whether Premium Connectivity is active, when your trial ends (if you have one), and your renewal date if you are subscribed. If you are unsure whether you are paying, this is the fastest way to confirm.

You can also check your Tesla account online at tesla.com by signing in and viewing your subscription status under Account Settings. If you have multiple Tesla vehicles, each one has its own subscription status — you do not automatically pay for all of them.

How to start, pause, or cancel your subscription

To subscribe after a trial ends, open the Tesla app, go to Account > Subscriptions, and select Premium Connectivity. You can choose monthly or annual billing. The charge appears on the payment method you have on file with Tesla. To pause or cancel, go to the same menu and select the option to manage your subscription. Most cancellations take effect when ready, though you may retain access through the end of the billing period you have already paid for.

If you cancel and later want to resubscribe, you can do so at any time through the same process. There is no penalty for pausing or canceling, and you do not lose your vehicle's ability to function — you straightforward lose the remote and real-time features until you resubscribe.

Regional differences in pricing and availability

The cost of Premium Connectivity is not the same everywhere. Pricing in Canada, Europe, and other regions differs from the US price, and Tesla adjusts rates periodically. Some countries also have different feature sets included in the subscription — for example, certain streaming services may not be available in all regions due to licensing agreements.

Before assuming a price, check your own Tesla app or account page, which shows the exact cost in your location. If you are considering a Tesla purchase and connectivity cost matters to your decision, ask the sales team for the current regional price rather than relying on prices you find online, which may be outdated.

Whether Premium Connectivity is worth the cost

The value depends on how you use your car. If you spend most of your time driving familiar routes, use your phone for music, and rarely need to unlock the car remotely, the subscription may not be worth $120 a year. If you regularly drive unfamiliar roads, use the car's music streaming, or value the ability to precondition the battery or check your car's location from your phone, the cost is often worth it.

One practical consideration: if you are financing or leasing the car, the subscription cost is separate from your monthly payment and not usually included in the loan or lease terms. Factor it into your total cost of ownership. Some owners subscribe for a few months during winter (to use preconditioning) and cancel during other seasons, which is a valid approach if you want to reduce annual costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a new Tesla come with Premium Connectivity included?

Most new Tesla vehicles include a trial subscription of three months to one year, depending on the model and purchase date. After the trial ends, you must pay the monthly or annual fee to keep the service active. Check your Tesla app to see when your trial expires.

Can I use my Tesla without Premium Connectivity?

Yes. Your car drives, steers, brakes, and controls climate normally. You lose real-time traffic, remote phone access, and music streaming, but the vehicle remains fully functional for driving. Offline maps are built into the car.

What happens if I cancel my subscription mid-year?

Cancellation takes effect when ready or at the end of your current billing period, depending on your plan. You do not receive a refund for unused time. You can resubscribe at any time without penalty.

Is Premium Connectivity the same as Tesla's Full Self-Driving package?

No. Premium Connectivity is a separate subscription for internet-based features like navigation and remote access. Full Self-Driving is a different, more expensive purchase that adds autonomous driving capabilities. You can have one, both, or neither.

Can I share one Premium Connectivity subscription across multiple Tesla vehicles?

No. Each vehicle requires its own subscription. If you own two Teslas, you pay for two separate Premium Connectivity subscriptions if you want both cars to have the service.