Why have a Wi-Fi hotspot in your car?
You have a phone, and chances are your phone has a hotspot feature. So why do you need one built into your car? Matt Harden, assistant vice president of AT&T Connected Solutions, explains that having a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot can provide a much better experience, especially in areas with poor phone signal strength. “You’ve got a much larger antenna on the vehicle, a much larger signal strength on that antenna,” Harden says. “It picks up a stronger cellular service so that it can provide a much better experience.”
Local internet providers: What you need to know
The family use case is compelling. You could keep an entire carload of kids connected rather than asking, “Are we there yet?” But it’s not just minivan owners who use in-vehicle Wi-Fi. “What we’ve seen is it plays very well for business travelers, as well as a lot of trucks,” Harden says. Hotspots can keep workers connected on the road but also make sense for construction sites or for tradespeople who need to generate quotes on the go.
Limitations and advantages
There are some potential limitations with in-vehicle hotspots. Most vehicles need to be on for the hotspot to function, so keep that in mind. Most in-car hotspots are still rocking older 4G LTE network connections, but the car industry is slowly transitioning to 5G. Harden sees 5G connections growing over the next few years.
Locating local internet providers
Be on the lookout in the near future for in-car hotspots that can connect to satellite networks in areas with no cell coverage. That will be a welcome advancement for road warriors who wander off the beaten path. AT&T plans to test this type of service extension later in 2025.
Which vehicles have Wi-Fi hotspots?
From Ford Mustangs to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, hotspots are hot. There are too many cars, trucks, vans and SUVs with built-in hotspots to list every single one. Ford, for example, offers FordPass Connect on all 2020 and later model year vehicles. Check with your dealership if you’re shopping specifically for a hotspot-equipped vehicle. You’ll find lots of options.
Manufacturer-specific Wi-Fi hotspots
Each manufacturer has a unique name for its in-car connected services system, which includes the Wi-Fi hotspot feature. There’s Volkswagen car-net, Chrysler Uconnect, NissanConnect, Toyota Wi-Fi Connect and FordPass Connect, among others. Chevy, GMC and Buick use OnStar.
Wireless companies behind the scenes
You’ll find some familiar wireless companies behind the scenes powering the hotspots. AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all partner with different brands. FordPass Connect, for example, is connected through AT&T and supports up to 10 personal devices at a distance of up to 50 feet from the vehicle. AT&T also partners with OnStar to provide the service’s hotspot option for GM vehicles.
Verizon’s 4G LTE network and Hyundai’s In-Car Wi-Fi hotspot
Verizon’s 4G LTE network supports Hyundai’s In-Car Wi-Fi hotspot, a feature introduced with the 2023 Palisade. Verizon’s service is also available on some Lexus, Toyota, Bentley and Kia vehicles, among other manufacturers. The number of devices you can connect may vary by vehicle.
T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network and BMW and VW models
T-Mobile is also attending the car Wi-Fi party, and its service is available on some BMW and VW models. It typically supports up to eight devices.
How much does in-car Wi-Fi cost?
The price to operate your built-in vehicle hotspot varies with the service provider, but expect to pay around $20 per month for a basic plan. You may find cheaper options if you have an existing eligible phone plan with the wireless provider that works with your vehicle.
Cost of in-car Wi-Fi
The good news is that most car brands offer a free trial period with new vehicle purchases. This gives you a chance to test the technology and decide whether it makes sense to buy a subscription.
Pricing details
With FordPass Connect, for example, you get up to three months or 3GB of data with your new car. AT&T Wireless customers with an eligible unlimited plan can expect to pay $10 per month to add in-car Wi-Fi. If you’re not an AT&T customer, you can opt for the $25-per-month prepaid plan with unlimited data. You can get a discount by prepaying for six or 12 months up-front.
T-Mobile plans
T-Mobile plans start at $20 per month. “During congestion, heavy data users and customers choosing lower-prioritized plans may notice lower speeds than other customers,” T-Mobile says. It considers over 50GB per month of data to be heavy use. AT&T has a similar approach where it may slow speeds on a busy network after 22GB of data.
Verizon’s Connected Car service
The Connected Car by Verizon service typically costs $20 per month, and there are options for both existing Verizon customers and customers who want to go with a prepaid plan.
GM’s OnStar service
Monthly OnStar subscriptions for 2025 and newer model year vehicles start at $23 for a suite of services that includes roadside assistance, safety services and a Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to seven devices.
Shift in subscriptions
Harden is seeing a shift in how subscriptions work. Instead of maintaining a subscription with AT&T, some customers will pay for a Wi-Fi hotspot option through a service plan with the manufacturer. “We’re giving [manufacturers] access to certain plans, and then they’re turning around and bundling those together with other services within the vehicle and then offering those direct to the customer,” Harden says.
Can you get Wi-Fi hotspots for older cars?
This article is all about vehicles that come with the convenience of a built-in hotspot. But if you’re like me and have an older car (or a newer one without the Wi-Fi tech), then you can always use your phone. My CNET colleague Nelson Aguilar shares more about turning an iPhone or Android phone into a mobile hotspot.
Alternative options for older cars
Another option for older cars is a hotspot that plugs into your OBD-II port. This port is standard in US vehicles dating back to 1996. It’s the same port car stores and dealerships use to get vehicle diagnostics and read error codes.
T-Mobile’s SyncUp Drive device
T-Mobile’s SyncUp Drive device costs $108, or you can get it for free with a two-year service contract. It’s a hotspot, but it also works with an app to monitor the car’s location and send maintenance reminders and notifications. Plans start at $10 per month. However, SyncUp Drive doesn’t have the most glowing reviews, with some customers reporting issues with Wi-Fi connectivity. You might be better off just using your phone.
Verizon’s Hum device
Verizon had offered a similar device called Hum. Hum is still supported, but Verizon tells me its primary in-vehicle Wi-Fi offering is its Connected Car service. AT&T had offered a similar device, but now focuses on built-in service instead.
Final thoughts: Be sure to use Wi-Fi safely in your car
There are a couple of simple rules for using Wi-Fi in your car. Streaming, gaming, web browsing and similar activities are for the passengers when the vehicle is on the road. If you’re the driver, save your internet adventures when you’ve safely stopped.
Best test: Put it to real-world use
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 while commuting, traveling or working on the road. The best test is to put it to real-world use, whether on a family vacation or while you’re working on-site for your job.
How to use your car as a Wi-Fi hotspot FAQs
You can use your car as a Wi-Fi hotspot by following these simple steps:
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- Check your vehicle’s manual to see if it has a built-in hotspot.
- Sign up for a Wi-Fi hotspot plan with your wireless provider.
- Activate your hotspot and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Use your vehicle’s built-in hotspot to connect devices.
Wi-Fi hotspots for a safer and more enjoyable drive
Built-in Wi-Fi hotspots can make your driving experience more enjoyable and convenient. Whether you’re cruising down the highway with family members or working on-site, having a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot can provide peace of mind.
