While some automakers are finding ways to nickel-and-dime vehicle owners with monthly subscription fees, Hyundai doing the opposite with its Bluelink+ service. Announced at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, Bluelink+ will launch with the 2023 Ioniq 6 and will find its way to all future Bluelink-equipped Hyundai vehicles starting with the 2024 model year. With this new service, the Korean automaker is getting rid of nearly all subscription fees for new owners.
With Bluelink+, new vehicle owners will get all the services included in the previous Bluelink Connected Care, Remote, and Guidance subscription packages complimentary on a non-trial basis. It will be a best-in-class complimentary connected car program and Hyundai estimates it provides its customers with over $350 in annual savings when compared to paying the current subscription fees.
What’s included with Bluelink+?
There are two tiers of Bluelink+ service, both of which will be complimentary for new vehicle owners. The Basic tier is also complimentary for CPO and used car owners, but the Advanced tier will only be free for CPO owners for the first year of ownership, and three months for used car buyers. Afterwards, it will cost $12.99 per month. Bluelink+ Basic includes the following:
- Automatic collision notification
- SOS assistance
- Maintenance alerts
- Automatic DTC notification
- Service link (schedule service)
- Monthly health report
- Remote diagnostics
- Connected voice assistant
- Weather information service
- Drive score & UBI
- Connected route guidance
- Connected POI search
The Advanced tier adds a lot of convenience features and includes the following in addition to everything in the Basic tier:
- Enhanced GPS roadside assistance
- Rmote start w/ climate control & heated/cooled seats
- Remote door lock/unlock
- Remote horn & lights
- Remote lights
- Car finder
- Stolen vehicle tracking
- Alarm notification
- Safeguard alerts (geofence, speed & curfew)
- Valet mode
- Digital key (if equipped)
- Engine, door, and battery notifications
- User profiles
- Destination send-to-car
- Last milee guidance
- Speed camera info
There is a little bit of fine print as expected, which is that a fee will apply for map and multimedia OTA updates after an initial three-year period of complimentary updates.
“Bluelink+ is part of our commitment to being a technology leader,” said Manish Mehrotra, executive director, digital business planning and connected operations, Hyundai Motor North America. “Other automakers follow a traditional subscription model and have monthly fees for most of these safety and convenience features. Hyundai is once again leading the industry by standardizing technologies that enhance the customer experience.”
