Tesla Premium Connectivity Explained - What's New in 2022?

If you’ve been searching for a used Tesla, chances are you’ve heard of Tesla’s “Premium Connectivity” feature. So what exactly is Tesla Premium Connectivity? How much does it cost? Which vehicles are these already? How has this changed in 2022?

according to our Tesla Features Explained blog series, we’re going to take an in-depth look at this feature and break it down in its entirety so that anyone shopping for a used Tesla will *exactly* understand what to look for.

So, with that said- let’s jump into the world of Tesla premium connectivity!

Tesla Standard Connectivity vs Premium Connectivity – What’s the difference?

When Tesla first produced the Model S, many things were included due to the high price point (such as Autopilot), but some of that has changed now that Tesla offers less expensive vehicles (such as the Model 3). One thing that has changed significantly is the way Tesla handles premium connectivity.

Originally, premium connectivity was included on every Tesla, but changes in technology and the amount of data needed for things like traffic visualizations have prompted Tesla to change the connectivity payment structure. Currently, connectivity on Tesla comes in two tiers: Standard and Premium.

Here’s a quick rundown of the differences in each one:

Standard Connectivity:

  • Tesla over-the-air (OTA) update
  • bluetooth capability
  • Navigation (WiFi + LTE)
  • Video Streaming (WiFi only)
  • Karaoke (WiFi only)
  • Music Streaming (WiFi only)
  • Internet browser (WiFi only)

Most of the features available in standard connectivity can be accessed through WiFi only. When your car is out of range of WiFi, Tesla’s standard connectivity really only includes navigation and OVA updates. Certainly nothing to smell; It’s a great feature to have your Tesla update itself whenever and wherever necessary.

Premium Connectivity (The standard includes everything, plus the following):

  • live traffic visualization
  • satellite-view maps
  • Video Streaming (WiFi + LTE)
  • Karaoke (WiFi + LTE)
  • Music Streaming (WiFi + LTE)
  • Internet Browser (WiFi + LTE)

Premium connectivity includes two additional features that standard connectivity lacks: live traffic visualization and satellite-view maps. These two really useful tools are great for both on the daily commute and during road trips.

Going beyond the standard, premium connectivity allows most features to be accessed via the AT&T cellular network (LTE). Essentially, you’re paying a premium connectivity fee for data access, not unlike your Tesla’s cellphone data plan. This means supported video and audio apps are available anywhere you can get a good network signal. Obviously, video and music streaming app subscriptions are still paid for and controlled by you, not Tesla.

Now that we have seen what is included in premium connectivity, let’s talk about the price.

Tesla Premium Connectivity Cost – How Much Is It?

Currently, Tesla charges $9.99 per month for a Premium Connectivity subscription (does not include applicable taxes).

You can activate a Premium Connectivity subscription on your Tesla directly through your Tesla Account. If you’ve ever bought a Tesla upgrade before (like the Model 3 Acceleration Boost), it’s as simple as: open the Tesla app, go to Upgrade > Subscribe To select premium connectivity and purchase your subscription. This can also be done in many cases via the vehicle’s touchscreen; you can go Control > Upgrade To purchase a premium connectivity subscription directly from your Tesla’s touchscreen.

Is there any discount for premium connectivity?

There is no discount available for premium connectivity at this time, and there is no option to buy one year’s worth of access at a reduced price. However, Tesla offers a variety of free trial options for premium connectivity, depending on how and when you purchased your vehicle. Go on to the next section to learn about those options!

Is there a free trial for Tesla Premium Connectivity?

Yes! Tesla Premium offers a few different levels of free period connectivity, though it depends on which model you buy.

At the time of writing, new orders for the Model S and Model X receive a free 1-year trial of Premium Connectivity. After that, you need to subscribe to keep it up.

Additionally, new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles have a free 30-day trial of Premium Connectivity—and after that, you’ll have to pay for it.

Can you get premium connectivity tests for a used Tesla? Yes, to an extent. When you buy a used Tesla, if the trial is not already activated at the time of transfer to the new owner, you automatically activate the 30-day free trial period upon notifying Tesla that you are the new owner (this Occurs before being eligible to purchase the Premium Connectivity subscription). If a trial is already active, you receive the remainder of that trial before a subscription is required.

Which Teslas have Lifetime Premium Connectivity?

All new Teslas ordered on or before June 30, 2018 have lifetime premium connectivity.

Additionally, all Teslas (purchased directly from Tesla) used on or before January 8, 2020, have lifetime premium connectivity as a bonus feature.

This means that it is included with the car, for the life of the car, and you will never have to pay for it. Zero, nada—it’s free for a lifetime (with that specific car).

Does premium connectivity transfer if you buy a used Tesla? What about CPO cars?

This is an interesting question. The answer is basically, yes—but there are some caveats. Here’s what Tesla decided when it comes to used vehicles and premium connectivity:

  • All used vehicles purchased from tesla The car has premium connectivity for life on or before January 8, 2020 and will remain active for future owners if sold privately.
  • All used vehicles purchased from tesla (CPO Cars) Get a 30-day free trial of Premium Connectivity on or after January 9, 2020
  • Cars that were originally in their 1-year free trial, and were sold by a third-party or privately on or after January 21, 2020, retain the balance of their free trial
  • Cars that were sold privately on or after January 21, 2020, that don’t have an active trial or a lifetime free subscription are eligible for a 30-day free trial (so, if you buy a used Tesla is the new owner—bonus, you get a 30-day free trial!)

Source: tesla.com/support/connectivity

How to Activate Tesla Premium Connectivity

That’s probably the easiest part of premium connectivity – you just log in to your Tesla account and within a few clicks, you’re subscribed!

You can subscribe to premium connectivity via your mobile device, your desktop, or in many cases your Tesla’s touchscreen – all you need to do is sign in to your Tesla account and have an active payment method on file.

As mentioned above, this is the same process as for purchasing any other Tesla software upgrade (such as an FSD, Model 3 Acceleration Boost, etc.).

  • Tesla App: go for Upgrade > Subscribe To select premium connectivity and purchase your subscription.
  • Touch Screen: go for Control > Upgrade To purchase a Premium Connectivity subscription (note: this requires software update 2021.40.5) or later.

Can you cancel premium connectivity?

Yes. Tesla Premium Connectivity is billed for $9.99/month, so if you want to stop paying monthly for this feature all you need to do is log in to your Tesla account and cancel it. If you’re still in the middle of a billing cycle when you cancel, you won’t get a refund for the days you might have left on your subscription…but at $9.99, it’s really not a big deal Is. Also, canceling does not automatically remove these features; Premium connectivity features will still be available till the end of the billing cycle. Then, it’s back to standard connectivity.

Tesla Model 3 Premium Connectivity – Is it Available? What about Model Y?

Yes—premium connectivity is definitely available on the Model 3 and Model Y.

As mentioned above, if you bought a new Model 3 with premium interiors on or before June 30, 2018, you have free lifetime premium connectivity. This also applies if you purchased a used Model 3 on or before January 8, 2020.

If your purchase was made after that date and before October 2021, you have a free 1-year trial. If you have a Model 3. Is purchased Without Premium Interior, then you only had a 30 day free trial to start. And all these nuances apply to Model Y as well (but since Model Y is so new, some of the dates and cutoffs don’t always apply).

Finally, as of October 2021, the Model 3 and Model Y only have a 30-day trial of premium connectivity.

Tesla Model 3 Premium Connectivity After 1 Year – What Happens?

If you had a 1-year Premium Connectivity free trial on any Tesla vehicle, and it expired, you’ll need to start paying Tesla $9.99/month if you want the feature again.

Tesla Model X Premium Connectivity – Is it the same as the Model S?

Yes—Model X Premium connectivity is exactly the same as Model S Premium connectivity.

How do you know if your Tesla has premium connectivity?

Navigate to the “Software” section of your on-screen menu system (the same place where you download software updates and check current versions etc.) and you’ll see in the center of the screen that with “Premium Connectivity” mentioned It has an expiration date below it.

Tesla Premium Connectivity outside Canada, UK and US – How does it work?

As long as there is an available cellular network where your Tesla can connect, everything works the same—and Tesla charges and what they offer, it’s the same (pricing, features, etc.) no matter where you live. .

Is premium connectivity worth it when shopping for a used Tesla?

In our opinion, this is a “nice-to-be” but not a dealbreaker. Why? Because you can only subscribe on your own, and at $9.99/month, it’s pretty cheap. It’s not really the same thing as a used Tesla that already has Enhanced Autopilot (EAP) or Full-Self Driving (FSD), which costs significantly more.

If you’re looking for a used Tesla with premium connectivity, be sure to check out our used Tesla listing, where we’ll be able to find the right Tesla at a great price with all the features you’re looking for beforehand. Make it easier than ever!

Selling a used Tesla with Lifetime Premium Connectivity? Be sure to include it in your Find My Electric listing. And if selling privately isn’t your style, let us hook you up to a Tesla-informed dealership that appreciates Tesla extras (like premium connectivity) as much as we do. Check out our Instant Cash Offer System to receive no-strings-attached offers from our trusted network of dealerships today!

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