2019 Prius Prime Safety Connect Customer Support Sales Pitch Canceling

Yes, I know. But again the actual cost of SIM for communication can be less than what Toyota charges if it is ONLY being used for the Safety Connect emergency transmission which is what the subscription is for. In any case, it is for Toyota's benefit to extract as much data as it can to be used for their research and marketing purpose that may or may not be in the interest of every owner. I certainly do not want to volunteer my location data and driving record for their profit-making if I don't have to.

 

I thought the subscription also included the other connectivity features, or does Toyota separate them?

 

If you are talking about Safety Connect which includes an Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and a Stolen Vehicle Locator, and Remote Connect which includes starting, locking/unlocking doors and charging or climate control and other functions using a compatible smart device, then they are listed as separate services but under the umbrella term "Connected Services".

My understanding is that, in order to use any of the Connected Services functions, you must have a paid subscription (or within the free trial period) and an active ToyotaApp account registered to the vehicle for the Safety Connect service. But I think you are correct in that for some models the Remote Connect services will be included if one has a subscription to Safety Connect for a PP. But it may be a separate subscription depending on the car.

For one thing, Toyota no longer lists pre-2019 PPs on the list of supported cars for the Connected Sevices. For the 2020 PP, they are listed as separate services and Remote Service is not available (see below) but for 21 and 22, both Safety Connect and Remote Connect are included in either 1 year trial period for LE or for the 3 years trial period on XLE and Limited.

Toyota now has several different subscription plans, but they don't clearly say what subscription fees pay for what services.

SOURCE: Connected Services


I just learned that for 2023 PP, SE and XSE with a small LED will have to pay a subscription for the Remote Connect service, while upper trims with a large display will have a 1-year trial on the Remote Connect. All trims of the PPs and Prius will have a 10-year free trial of Safety Connect. So, yes, they are going to separately charge the subscription for the Safety Connect and Remote Connect fees starting with the 2023 models.

 

They are making money for sure. But my point was that the high pressure to keep you in a loop is not so much for the subscription fees, but they want to keep extracting the data from your car. The fact that the new 2023 models now include 10 years of FREE Safety Connect trial subscription is the reason I believe this to be the case.

BTW, I had a hard time opting out (i.e. canceling) the Safety Connect on my 2020 PP. It took several phone calls to the Toyota Customer Service Center and a long conversation with the rep. This was during my Free trial period. Here was my write-up on that incident.
No more Entune for 2020 Prius Prime, but...

That was one of the reasons that on my 2021 PP Limited, I canceled the Safety Connect as soon as I purchased the car.

 

Your description in thee last sentence is exactly how Tesla charges for AP and/or FSD.
Tesla also allows the OPTION of payin a monthly fee for FSD instead of the up front fee.

AKA, AP is available as an option upon purchase. FSD is as well.

 

Basic Autopilot is standard. It is dynamic cruise control and lane keeping. Enhanced Autopilot adds more functions; it can follow a route on the highway. FSD gets the ability to recognize stop signs and lights, so extends these functions to off the highway. The current prices for them is $6000 and $15k. The subscription for FSD is because many people are going to pass on spending 33% more on a car for the feature.