What is Ford Premium Connectivity worth it?
In most cases, Ford Premium Connectivity is worth it if you value a built-in Wi‑Fi hotspot and a suite of connected services; if you rely mainly on your phone for data, it may not be essential. This article weighs what you get, how it’s priced, and how to decide if the subscription matches your driving and travel habits.
Ford Premium Connectivity provides in-car internet access and a set of connected features designed to enhance travel, remote vehicle control, and information access. The exact value depends on how often you use the hotspot, navigation, and remote features, as well as regional pricing and trial terms.
What Premium Connectivity includes
The core value proposition rests on in-car internet access and remote 기능 that work with the FordPass app. Here are the typical offerings you’ll encounter with the subscription:
- 4G LTE Wi‑Fi hotspot that supports multiple devices inside the vehicle and nearby areas
- Connected navigation with live traffic updates for supported models and regions
- FordPass Connect remote features, such as remote start, remote lock/unlock, and vehicle status checks
- Vehicle health alerts and maintenance reminders delivered to the FordPass app
- Access to certain in‑vehicle apps and services that rely on an internet connection
The feature set is designed to boost convenience and safety, especially for families, commuters, and travelers who need real-time data on the road. Availability and specifics can vary by model year, trim level, and market, so check your vehicle’s documentation or Ford’s official pages for the exact list in your region.
Prices and plans
Pricing structures for Premium Connectivity are generally straightforward but vary by country, model year, and the length of any promotional trial. Here is what buyers typically encounter:
- Trial period: New vehicles often include a period of Premium Connectivity at no extra charge; duration varies by model and market
- Monthly subscription: After any trial, a recurring monthly fee is common
- Annual/prepaid option: Some markets offer a yearly rate that can be more economical for long-term use
- Cancellation: The service can usually be canceled through the FordPass app or vehicle settings
Because rates and promotions shift over time, it’s important to confirm the exact rate, trial length, and any introductory offers for your specific car and region. If you don’t need a built‑in hotspot or constant connectivity, you can rely on your phone’s data plan or a separate mobile hotspot device to avoid the subscription.
Assessing its value: who should subscribe
To decide whether Premium Connectivity is right for you, weigh how often you would use the comforts and capabilities the service provides. The following considerations help guide a decision:
- Pros: A built-in hotspot eliminates the need to tether your phone; seamless remote features can save time; real-time navigation and alerts can improve trip planning; centralized app integration
- Cons: Ongoing cost that may not be necessary for light users; data usage depends on hotspot activity; coverage and performance depend on cellular networks; you may already have a data plan via your phone or a separate hotspot
For drivers who routinely travel with passengers who want to stream video or work online, or for households that rely on in-car apps and navigation, Premium Connectivity can deliver tangible benefits. If you rarely use internet features in the car, the subscription may not provide enough value to justify the expense.
Practical guidance and alternatives
Here are practical steps to decide and alternatives to consider if you’re unsure about subscribing:
- Estimate your typical data usage: How many devices would connect, and do you expect streaming, video calls, or large downloads on the go?
- Compare with your current data plan: If your phone plan or a separate hotspot already covers your needs, the incremental cost may be less compelling
- Consider travel patterns: Frequent long trips or family trips may benefit more from stable in-car connectivity and remote features
- Test the trial period: If your vehicle includes a trial, use it to gauge value before committing to a subscription
- Explore alternatives: Use your smartphone’s hotspot or a dedicated mobile hotspot device, and rely on built-in navigation with offline maps if available
Ultimately, the decision hinges on how you value convenience, remote vehicle control, and real-time connectivity on the road, balanced against the monthly or annual cost.
Bottom line
Ford Premium Connectivity is a sensible option for drivers who regularly rely on in-car internet access, remote vehicle features, and real-time navigation. If you primarily use the car without internet-heavy needs or you already pay for a robust mobile hotspot plan, the subscription may be harder to justify.
Summary
Ford Premium Connectivity offers a built-in 4G LTE hotspot, live data for navigation, and remote features that can streamline trips and improve convenience. Its value depends on your usage, regional pricing, and how much you rely on in-car connectivity. Assess your data needs, travel habits, and current data plans, then compare the ongoing cost to the benefits you’d actually use before subscribing.
What happens when Ford Premium Connectivity expires?
Once your Ford Premium Connectivity subscription ends, you can continue your connected experience by connecting your vehicle to the internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot such as your phone when you are on the go or a stationary Wi-Fi source such as your home internet when parked.
Do you need premium connectivity to view live cameras?
View Live Camera requires premium connectivity and version 4.2. 1 (or newer) of the Tesla mobile app installed on a phone that has been paired as a key to Model 3.
What does Ford Premium Connectivity get you?
Ford Premium Connectivity is a data subscription that provides a seamless connection for various in-vehicle features, including audio and video streaming, an unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot for multiple devices, and voice assistance like Alexa or Google Assistant. It also includes other services such as connected navigation, news updates, podcasts, and entertainment like games and video conferencing.
Key features
- Entertainment: Allows for audio and video streaming from services like Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music, as well as games and karaoke.
- Wi-Fi Hotspot: Provides an unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices.
- Voice Assistant: Offers advanced integration with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, which can be used to access entertainment and other services.
- Navigation: Includes connected navigation features, providing up-to-date traffic and map information through a built-in system like Google Maps.
- Productivity: Supports productivity tools such as video conferencing (for parked vehicles) and audio conferencing.
- News and information: Provides access to personalized news flash briefings, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Important considerations
- Availability: Features and the availability of the plan itself can vary by vehicle model and year.
- Trial period: A one-year complimentary trial is often included with the purchase of an eligible vehicle, but a subscription is required after the trial ends.
- Third-party services: Streaming services themselves (like Spotify or YouTube) may require a separate subscription from the provider.
What is Ford Premium Connectivity Service worth it?
With Premium Connectivity, you can: Listen to your favourite albums and playlists using Amazon Music, Spotify, or another streaming service. Get personalized flash briefings for local, national, and global news. Play audiobooks or podcasts from Audible, Pandora, or your favourite streaming service.
