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Too cheap to pay for OnStar, so never bothered setting it up beyond the first few days they provide for free. I used the navi on the way home from the dealer... it froze on me several times during the 30 mile trip, so I wasn't impressed and haven't used it since (~1 month).
But I see a number of folks post here about the changeover to Google maps, data plans, etc. I had just assumed (incorrectly?) that there would be your basic maps installed, Google interface aside, and the thing would provide the typical navi capabilities, sans updated traffic info, etc. I'm too lazy to walk outside and try at the moment (and will forget next time I m in the car)... can someone confirm/deny the navi works without an active data plan? It seems like a huge oversight if the answer is no, but I've seen more stupid things in my life...
For what? I'm in full agreement it sucks for the 2024 owners, but you have no "right" to a navigation system in a car and GM is not misleading people. Nav is not on the window sticker. The Build and Price for 2024 does not list Nav as a feature difference between 1LT and 2LT like it used to. And on features they list the below:
GM is including 8 years of the service on all 2025 vehicles. GM should offer a similar OnStar package for 2024 owners for a reasonable one time upgrade cost.
Onboard navigation was included with prior model years. Effective with MY 2024, you do not have an SD card with a map of entire US. For the onboard GM 2024 nav, you must download maps using an On Star subscription data plan. You can use Apple Car Play as an included alternative to On Star google nav. Assuming you have an iPhone. Maybe Android Auto? But I don't have an Android phone nor a MY2024.
Last edited by papillion; Feb 28, 2024 at 09:12 AM.
Onboard navigation was included with prior model years. Effective with MY 2024, you do not have an SD card with a map of entire US. For GM/google navigation, you must download maps using an On Star subscription data plan. You can use Apple Car Play as an included alternative to On Star google nav. Assuming you have an iPhone. Maybe Android Auto? But I don't have an Android phone nor a MY2024.
You can use Android Auto with an Android phone. Also, alternatively to the Onstar subscription, others have posted that using phone as a hotspot for the car works as well to get the onboard Nav the data it needs.
Hmmmm, so you're both saying a data plan is necessary (even if it is through my phone) to use the navi... if that's the case, I feel like I've been bamboozled. I don't remember seeing any indication before purchasing the car that use of the navi requires a data connection (OnStar, cell, or otherwise), and if that's the case, I need to consider my options. I don't use it often, but I do need it from time to time. If I'm forced to use a data connection, there's practically zero difference to just pulling it up on my phone directly... in which case, the car really doesn't offer navi, and I'm forced to carry my phone (which itself isn't always an option). <sigh>
1. Get a data plan from OnStar and use the built in Google Nav.
2. Put your phone in hotspot mode and connect it to the car as an external network. This connection is capable of proving the needed connection to the internet via your phone. Some forum members have reported some success or partial success with this method. But its not clear to me that this works flawlessly. It did work on prior model years for the purpose of proving data to other on board apps. But prior model years did not need the data source for the built in Nav.
3. Connect your phone to support CarPlay (or whatever the Android equivalent is) and use Waze or you preferred phone based Nav. CarPlay will support Waze and some other phone based Nav apps. Not necessarily all.
Hmmmm, so you're both saying a data plan is necessary (even if it is through my phone) to use the navi... if that's the case, I feel like I've been bamboozled. I don't remember seeing any indication before purchasing the car that use of the navi requires a data connection (OnStar, cell, or otherwise), and if that's the case, I need to consider my options. I don't use it often, but I do need it from time to time. If I'm forced to use a data connection, there's practically zero difference to just pulling it up on my phone directly... in which case, the car really doesn't offer navi, and I'm forced to carry my phone (which itself isn't always an option). <sigh>
Seems to me there should be a class action law suit filed against GM.
Seems to me there should be a class action law suit filed against GM.
For what? I'm in full agreement it sucks for the 2024 owners, but you have no "right" to a navigation system in a car and GM is not misleading people. Nav is not on the window sticker. The Build and Price for 2024 does not list Nav as a feature difference between 1LT and 2LT like it used to. And on features they list the below:
1) I ordered a 1LT on purpose and as I understand it, NAV was never included in the ‘20-‘23 1LT, so now I’ve got the same system as a 2 or 3 LT, so that added value for the 1LT option to now have NAV included even if it does require a subscription.
2) Allthough I have NO plans to pay for a subscription based NAV system and will continue to use CarPlay, I can appreciate that with a Google subscription based NAV, you’ll never have to worry about updating to the most recent maps since Google will always use that most recent map (Does GM charge for the updated maps for ‘20-‘23? Even if they don’t, I wonder how many years they’ll continue to provide updates?)
As a ‘24 owner, I’m content just using CarPlay with WAZE or any other NAV App of my choice.
For what? I'm in full agreement it sucks for the 2024 owners, but you have no "right" to a navigation system in a car and GM is not misleading people. Nav is not on the window sticker. The Build and Price for 2024 does not list Nav as a feature difference between 1LT and 2LT like it used to. And on features they list the below:
GM is including 8 years of the service on all 2025 vehicles. GM should offer a similar OnStar package for 2024 owners for a reasonable one time upgrade cost.
…just did a little digging and it appears GM charges $150 for an updated maps SD card to the ‘20-‘23 owners…is that correct? I’d be mad about paying for updates! I have a TomTom in my Equinox I paid like $120 for and I have free lifetime maps with it!
GM is including 8 years of the service on all 2025 vehicles. GM should offer a similar OnStar package for 2024 owners for a reasonable one time upgrade cost.
Currently 4 On Star service levels Preferred, Essentials, Preferred+, and Premium. You can expect the 8 years of 2025 On Star functionality will not include any services beyond today's most basic Preferred Plan. Which does not include Connected Navigation. 8 years free may well be a Trojan Horse.
Currently 4 On Star service levels Preferred, Essentials, Preferred+, and Premium. You can expect the 8 years of 2025 On Star functionality will not include any services beyond today's most basic Preferred Plan. Which does not include Connected Navigation. 8 years free may well be a Trojan Horse.
…just did a little digging and it appears GM charges $150 for an updated maps SD card to the ‘20-‘23 owners…is that correct? I’d be mad about paying for updates! I have a TomTom in my Equinox I paid like $120 for and I have free lifetime maps with it!
…seems GM’s been at this a while already anyway…
This has been standard procedure for auto manufacturers for a good while now. My 2007 Honda Ridgeline had, and my 2017 Ford F150 both hava built in Nav system that uses an on board map. Both charge for updates to those maps. But, you dont have to update them. They just get out of date when roads change.
This has been standard procedure for auto manufacturers for a good while now. My 2007 Honda Ridgeline had, and my 2017 Ford F150 both hava built in Nav system that uses an on board map. Both charge for updates to those maps. But, you dont have to update them. They just get out of date when roads change.
Our 2018 RAV4 came with Nav with updates offered at $125. Though never did. With our 2021 Mazda CX5, navigation was not included. I bought the Mazda CX5 2021 Nav Maps SD card on eBay for $50. Inserted it and voila. Nearly a year out of current when I got it, now 3-4. If challenged, I'd expect it to be a 98 percenter. Which is good enough for government work. Probably better.
My 24 Lyriq came also with Google maps. I had planned to copy its SD navigation card to update my 2021 C8. But as noted, no more SD. Kinda sucks because large swaths of the west have no cell service so will have to remember to download maps beforehand.
In 3 years of ownership on my 2020, I never once used the built in nav. Always Waze. For my '24, though surprising, it will never be an issue for me personally. Waze for life.
All the money upgrades include Connected Navigation. No surprise eh? First step Preferred to Essentials is $10+ month. Doesn't sound like much. So today Essentials is $40 mo. Doing the math times 12 months times say 5 years is $2400. I'd rather get lost. Or buy 2 new iPhones and use Car Play for free.
All the money upgrades include Connected Navigation. No surprise eh? First step Preferred to Essentials is $10+ month. Doesn't sound like much. So today Essentials is $40 mo. Doing the math times 12 months times say 5 years is $2400. I'd rather get lost. Or buy 2 new iPhones and use Car Play for free.
Excuse my limited tech savvy but if you're using Waze in Car play are you using cell phone data? How about other apps in Car play. I have a small data plan. Thanks.
Excuse my limited tech savvy but if you're using Waze in Car play are you using cell phone data? How about other apps in Car play. I have a small data plan. Thanks.
Yes. If you use Waze on your phone, you are using your data to download maps data in real time as needed. I learned the hard way, years ago, about this. I thought I had an unlimited data plan. I traveled cross country, driving many hours a day using Waze. The result was I started getting messages from my carrier about exceeding the data limit. I added more data for a charge in real time. That has since been fixed - now I have a true unlimited data plan. But yeah - Waze can eat up data if you are on the move.
Data plan necessary for 2024 nav?
