BMW faced significant backlash after it announced a subscription fee for continued access to Apple CarPlay. However, BMW is not alone in adopting subscription models for automotive features; Lexus has also introduced extra charges for certain services—in this case, remote start functionality.
In a Reddit post from last year, a customer reported that “Lexus Customer Service confirmed that if you do not pay the $359 for their … Enform Remote Start app, they will now disable your built-in key fob remote start.” Initially, the customer service representative stated that the Enform app was not linked to the physical key fob. However, after about thirty minutes on hold—presumably while they looked into the issue—the same representative amended their response.
To clarify the situation, we reached out to Lexus, anticipating that we could disprove the claim. To our surprise, the reports were accurate. Corey Profitt, Toyota’s East Coast Communications Manager, explained, “Lexus owners receive a complimentary one-year trial of Lexus Enform Remote, accessible via smartphone, smartwatch (iWatch or Android Wear), and the key fob. After the trial period ends, users can choose to extend it or cancel. If not extended, the functionality for all three options to [remotely] start the vehicle is disabled. The key fob’s ability to start the car remotely requires an active Lexus Enform Remote subscription. Therefore, when the subscription expires, the service is automatically turned off.”
While Apple CarPlay is increasingly available in new vehicles, it remains somewhat of a luxury feature that affluent owners may consider paying for. In contrast, remote starting is a more commonplace feature; even my 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which was a basic option 15 years ago, included this feature. Now, Lexus offers it as a subscription-based service? Even more troubling, a feature that comes with the car can deactivate if owners refuse to pay for the subscription? That feels unfair.
It’s worth noting that the Reddit user was not entirely correct regarding the price. A glance at the Lexus Enform website shows that the Remote App can be purchased alone for $8 per month or $80 annually on some models, or $16 per month or $160 annually on others—far less than the $359 stated in the Reddit post. This price drop may have occurred in response to customer feedback.
Nevertheless, the question remains: Is it worth even $80 a year to keep a function that your car is fully capable of performing, but that is intentionally disabled without a subscription? The decision ultimately rests with Lexus owners.
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