Stellantis offers new simplified in-car features packages. 1 is free
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- Four of Stellantis’ six main American nameplates will get the new ‘connect’ packages first, with Chrysler beginning in the 2026 model year and Alfa Romeo soon to follow.
- Even some used Stellantis vehicles are eligible for the new plans.
Citing customer feedback, Stellantis is simplifying its in-vehicle features — which the company calls “Connected Services” — into two plans: one for free, the other for $17.99 a month.
Previously, dealers and buyers would haggle over different features sold a la carte in a new Stellantis vehicle: In-car Wi-Fi hotspot? That was an add-on. Amazon Alexa voice assistance? Another add-on.
Now, the company is offering 10 years of its basic services for free (doubling the previous offer of five years) as well as an option to get the brand’s most popular services for $17.99 a month.
Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles — four of Stellantis’ six main American nameplates — will get the new “connect” packages first, with Chrysler beginning in the 2026 model year and Alfa Romeo soon to follow, the company said in a news release. Dodge Durangos, Chrysler Pacificas and Jeep Compasses from 2025 and earlier are not eligible for the new feature structures.
The free version, which most Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles will be equipped with as they roll off the lot, includes 10 years of the following:
- Over-the-air (OTA) downloadable software updates.
- Vehicle health reports, alerts and service scheduling.
- Automatic SOS calls and recall notifications.
- Remote lock and unlock via smartphone app.
- Digital key for smartphone-based access and engine start (not available for all models).
- In-vehicle games.
- EV charging controls and management tools.
- Basic navigation.
Buyers can opt for the “Connect Wi-Fi Plus” plan, which adds on these features for $17.99 a month after a three-month free trial period:
- A Wi-Fi hotspot to support up to eight devices for on-the-go internet.
- Advanced remote operations, which can start a vehicle, activate climate control and turn on the horn and lights to help locate it.
- Stolen vehicle tracking.
- Alerts to notify the vehicle owner if the car travels faster than a set speed, later than a set time, or outside of a designated geographical boundary, aimed toward owners of shared vehicles.
- An in-car voice assistant to initiate vehicle functions.
- Real-time traffic updates, speed camera alerts, fuel prices, map updates and last-mile navigation assistance.
- Amazon Alexa voice assistant embedded into the vehicle.
The offerings are immediately available, even for used Stellantis vehicles, as long as they are equipped with proper software. Upon purchasing a new Stellantis vehicle, the buyer will have the choice to opt for the free version, the “Connect Wi-Fi Plus” plan, or another more specialized package, like an off-roading package that provides detailed maps of driveable trails.
Sara Shone, the vice president of software sales and subscriptions for Stellantis, said the simplification of the in-car features was built on customer feedback.
“We actually started off and asked our customers because I believe that software should have meaning to customers’ lives,” Shone said. “So we asked: ‘What do you want? What do you see value in?’ “
The goal with the new arrangement, Shone said, is to boost the timeline on the free package and to streamline offerings into the premium package so customers who want Wi-Fi and Alexa in their car can get it all at once.
Anyone driving a recently purchased Stellantis vehicle with the right software capabilities can request to have one of the new software packages, Shone said, but they don’t have to opt for either.
“We’re not forcing anyone to change,” Shone said. “If they’re happy with what they have, they can keep it. But we think it’s a better value, right?”
Liam Rappleye covers Stellantis and the UAW for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him: [email protected].
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