Battling subscriptions, one free perk at a time.The mere thought of subscription models permeating car ownership is pretty cringeworthy, but Stellantis is trying to avoid succumbing to the trend. The auto conglomerate's Auburn Hills division just made a very beloved smartphone connectivity feature (and others) standard across the board.For the next 10 years. In a recent announcement, all Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler models will now offer free remote engine start through their connectivity apps. But that's not the only perk Stellantis is making available without needing a subscription.More app perks made freeNearly all 2027 Stellantis-brand models will get free remote engine start/stop through their Connect One app for the next decade. - Credit: JeepAccording to Stellantis's press release, all new Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler and Alfa Romeo models will benefit from free remote engine start/stop from the Connect One, beginning with all 2027 model-year cars. That means owners can start their vehicles from afar.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt also means they won't have to sift through their things to find the key to perform the same function. While American automakers are known for making remote start a standard feature, the function was only available via the car's key fob.You'll no longer need to pay for remote start through Jeep's Connect One smartphone app. - Credit: JeepWith the emergence of smartphone apps and wireless connectivity, many automakers, including the Detroit Big Three, have also implemented the function through app-based connectivity. Some even charge additional fees for such functions.In addition to the free remote start through the app, standard features on Connect One also include door lock controls, OTA (over-the-air) updates, vehicle health monitoring, service scheduling, recall alerts, automatic SOS emergency calling and more.Premium features get a price reductionStellantis' Connect One app allows owners to seamlessly control various items on their vehicle from their smartphone. - Credit: JeepBeyond the new free features, Stellantis also reduced the annual cost of its premium functions. For $15.99 a month, Connect One can alert owners to vehicle theft, provide real-time vehicle location services, remote light and horn activation and even connected navigation assistance.AdvertisementAdvertisementPreviously, those premium features required a monthly subscription of $17.99 per month.Alfa Romeo models and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Wagoneer S also get Connect One's extras as standard for up to three years. - Credit: Alfa RomeoAdditional functions and specifics also may vary per model.For instance, more premium offerings (like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Wagoner S and all Alfa Romeo cars) will get the standard Connect One features free for 10 years. They'll also benefit from the additional functions for free for up to three years from the original date of purchase.By and large, the most notable standout freebie is the standardization of smartphone-based remote start.About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).AdvertisementAdvertisementWant to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.
