My daily driver is an old, second-generation Prius. This is not a poster for modern in-car technology, and there is not even Bluetooth. I have to use mine Google Pixels If I want to have a Wi-Fi hotspot in my prius. But today’s car and truck buyers can enjoy the convenience of built-in Wi-Fi hotspots. Using the right vehicle, you In the dream of road Wi-Fi Can be achieved.
Why are there Wi-Fi hot spots in your car?
You have a phone number, it’s very likely Your phone has hot features. So, why do you need a built-in car? Matt Harden, assistant vice president of AT&T Connected Solutions, gave examples of spring break trips with children and reaching areas where phone signals are nearly nothing. If he uses the hot spots of his phone, it means disturbing his child’s iPad and entertainment.
A built-in Wi-Fi hotspots Use antennas integrated into the car. “There is a larger antenna on the vehicle and the signal strength on that antenna is much stronger,” Harden said. “It’s more powerful.” Cellular Services This way it can provide a better experience. ”
The home use cases are convincing. Instead of asking, “Are we there?”, you can keep your whole child in touch, however, it’s not just minivan owners who use on-board Wi-Fi. “What we’re seeing is that it’s doing very well for business travelers, as well as many trucks,” Harden said. Hotspots can keep workers in touch on the road, but it also makes sense for businessmen who need to generate quotes on the road.
Car hotspots have some potential limitations. Most vehicles need to be turned on Hot Spots To work, keep this in mind. Most in-car hotspots are still swaying older 4G LTE network connections, but the automotive industry is slowly transitioning to 5G. Harden sees 5G connectivity growth in the next few years.
Find in-car hotspots you can connect to in the near future Satellite Network In areas without cell coverage. This will be a welcome improvement for strolling on the roads that are not far away. AT&T plans to test such service extensions later in 2025.
Which vehicles have Wi-Fi hot spots?
From the Ford Mustang to the Hyundai ioniq 5, the hot spot is hot. There are too many cars, trucks, vans and SUVs with built-in hotspots to list every bike. For example, Ford offers Ford Communications on all 2020 and later models of vehicles. If you are purchasing a hot spot, please contact your dealer. You will find many options.
Each manufacturer’s on-board connectivity service system has a unique name, including Wi-Fi hotspot functionality. There are Volkswagen Network, Chrysler UConnect, Nissanconnect, Toyota Wi-Fi Connect and Fordpass Connect. Chevrolet, GMC and Buick use Onstar.
You’ll find some familiar wireless companies behind the scenes that power the hot spots. AT&T,,,,, Verizon and T-Mobile All partners with different brands. For example, Fordpass Connect connects via AT&T and supports up to 10 personal devices within a distance of up to 50 feet from the vehicle. AT&T is also working with Onstar to provide hot options for serving GM vehicles.
Verizon’s 4G LTE network supports modern in-car Wi-Fi hotspots, a feature introduced in 2023 Palisade. Verizon’s services are also available on some Lexus, Toyota, Bentley and Kia. The number of devices you can connect may vary by vehicle.
T-Mobile also attends automotive Wi-Fi parties, and its services are available on certain BMW and Volkswagen models. It usually supports up to eight devices.
How much does it cost to get Wi-Fi in the car?
The price of operating your built-in vehicle hotspot varies from service provider to service, but expect to pay about $20 per month for the basic plan. If the wireless provider you use with your vehicle has an existing qualified phone plan, you may find cheaper options.
The good news is that most car brands offer free trials by purchasing new cars. This gives you the opportunity to test the technology and determine if buying a subscription makes sense.
For example, with FordPass Connect, you can get up to three months or 3GB of data with a new car. AT&T Wireless customers with Qualified Unlimited Plan expect to pay $10 per month to add in-car Wi-Fi. If you are not an AT&T customer, you can opt for a $25 monthly prepaid plan with unlimited data. You can get a discount by prepayment of six to 12 months.
The T-Mobile plan starts at $20 per month. “During a period of traffic congestion, a large number of data users and the choice of lower planning plans may notice a lower speed than other customers,” T-Mobile said. It believes that data over 50GB of monthly data is a lot of use. AT&T has a similar approach, after 22GB of data, it may slow down on busy networks.
Connected cars served by Verizon are typically $20 per month, and there are options for existing Verizon customers and those who want to use a prepaid plan.
All new GM vehicles (including Chevy, Buick, GMC and Cadillac) come with Onstar. A suite of services, including roadside assistance, security services and Wi-Fi hotspots, connects up to seven devices, including a 2025 OnStar subscription and a new model for the new model vehicle for $23.
While many in-car hotspots require you to register directly with your wireless provider, Harden sees a shift in how you subscribe. Some customers will pay for the Wi-Fi Hotspot option through a service plan with the manufacturer, rather than maintaining an AT&T subscription. “We gave it to [manufacturers] Visit certain plans and then they turn around Bundle Those are with other services in the vehicle and then directly provide these services to the customer. “Harden said.
Can you provide Wi-Fi hotspots for your used cars?
This article all involves convenient vehicles with built-in hotspots. But if you are like me and own an older car (or a new car without Wi-Fi Tech), you can always use your phone. My CNET colleague Nelson Aguilar has something to do with turning an iPhone or Android phone into a mobile hotspot.
Another option for an old car is to plug in the hotspot of the OBD-II port. This port is standard for U.S. vehicles dating back to 1996. It is the vehicle used by the same port car shop and dealership to obtain vehicle diagnosis and read error codes.
T-Mobile’s Syncup Drive device costs $108, or you can get it for free with a two-year service contract. It is a hotspot, but it can also work with the app to monitor the location of the car and send maintenance reminders and notifications. Plan starts at $10 per month. However, Syncup Drive doesn’t have the most reviews, and some customers have reported issues with Wi-Fi connectivity. Just use your phone and you may be better.
Verizon offers a similar device called Hum. The buzz is still supported, but Verizon tells me its main vehicle Wi-Fi product is its connected car service. AT&T offers similar devices, but now focuses on built-in services.
Final Thought: Be sure to use Wi-Fi safely in the car
There are some simple rules for using Wi-Fi in your car. Passengers stream, games, web browsing and similar activities when vehicles are on the road. If you are a driver, save your internet adventures when you stop safely.
Built-in Wi-Fi hotspots are now a common feature in new cars. Whether you feel compelled to subscribe after the trial period depends on your needs for commuting, traveling, or working on the road. The best test is to use it for real-world use, whether it’s on family vacation or on-site work.
How to Use Your Car as a Wi-Fi Hotspot FAQ
Can I make my car a Wi-Fi hotspot?
First, check if your car already has a Wi-Fi hotspot built in. Many new cars have this option. If you have an older car, the easiest way to get Wi-Fi in your vehicle is to use your phone as a hotspot. Hotspot devices have some options to plug into your car’s OBD-II port, but customer reviews aren’t always the case.
Are Wi-Fi hotspots in my car free?
Most manufacturers buy new cars and offer free trials for Wi-Fi hotspot services. Typically, the trial will be conducted for up to three months or until you reach a certain data usage threshold. After that, most service options are expected to cost around $20 per month.
Is the vehicle hotspot worth it?
Use your trial period to put your car Wi-Fi hotspot at its pace. Take a road trip. Let the kids stream or play. Try to stay in touch while traveling to stay working. Escape the Internet in places with poor phone connections can be beneficial. If you often find yourself outside of the city center, you may find that vehicle hotspots are more reliable than your phone’s connection. This can make the subscription price worth it.