Tesla Includes Lifetime Premium Connectivity With Model 3 and Y Performance Trims
The subscription, normally costing $9.99 monthly, is permanently bundled with new Performance orders but is not transferable to new owners.
Tesla is including free lifetime Premium Connectivity with every new U.S. order of the Model 3 Performance and Model Y Performance, a perk that is easily overlooked on the configuration page.
What Happened
The complimentary subscription is permanently bundled with these specific Performance trims, a change from Tesla’s previous practice of offering it only as a limited-time purchase incentive. Normally priced at $9.99 per month or $99 per year plus taxes, the service grants access to features requiring a cellular connection, such as live traffic visuals, satellite view maps, weather radar, and 3D buildings. It also unlocks entertainment options like video and music streaming, the web browser, Grok, and Caraoke, along with Sentry Mode live camera access and Dashcam clip downloads via the Tesla app. While some apps within the streaming suite may still require separate subscriptions, the Premium Connectivity package provides the necessary data connection for these features.
Why It Matters
For buyers, the inclusion represents a tangible value offset against the higher price point of the Performance trims, potentially saving owners nearly $500 over five years. This cost saving is equivalent to covering a free month of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) annually. However, a significant limitation exists: the subscription is tied to the original owner and the vehicle’s VIN, meaning it ends immediately upon sale and is not transferable to subsequent buyers. Owners who took delivery before this perk was added to the Performance lineup do not receive it automatically; they can verify their vehicle’s included benefits by checking the 'Specs & Warranty' section in the Tesla app.
The Bottom Line
Tesla’s decision to permanently bundle Premium Connectivity with the Model 3 and Y Performance trims simplifies the ownership experience for new buyers but introduces a resale consideration, as the benefit does not carry over to used vehicle purchasers.
