What Do you Get with OnStar?
Your Buick or GMC Comes Loaded with More Than You Think
If you’re shopping for a new Buick or GMC, you might be wondering, “What do you get with OnStar?” The short answer: a lot. Every new GM vehicle comes with built-in OnStar features right from the factory, and there are paid plan upgrades that add even more safety, entertainment, and connectivity to your daily drive. At Ray Skillman Southside Buick GMC, we love walking our customers through everything OnStar brings to the table.
- New Buick and GMC vehicles come with OnStar Basics at no extra charge for eight years.
- Paid plans like OnStar Protect and OnStar One add 24/7 Advisor access, stolen vehicle tracking, and in-vehicle Wi-Fi.
- The OnStar Guardian app brings many of these safety features to your phone, even outside of your vehicle.
OnStar has been around for more than 25 years, and the system keeps getting better. Whether you’re driving a GMC Sierra down the highway or running errands in a Buick Encore GX around Indianapolis, OnStar works quietly in the background, ready to step in when you need it most.
OnStar Basics: What Comes Standard
Every newer GM vehicle gets OnStar Basics for 8 years at no extra cost. That covers automatic crash response, remote commands through the myBMC or myGMC app, audio streaming, a voice assistant, and turn-by-turn directions through Waze, Google Maps, or Maps+. From the moment you drive off our lot in Indianapolis, you can start your vehicle from your phone, lock and unlock the doors, and send directions straight to your center display. You don’t even need a credit card on file to activate it.
OnStar Protect: 24/7 Safety on Your Side
OnStar Protect puts a trained Advisor just a button press away, anytime day or night. If you get a flat tire, get into a collision, or have your vehicle stolen, real people are standing by to help. With Automatic Crash Response, the system can detect a collision and contact an Advisor on your behalf, even if you’re unable to speak or press a button yourself.
The Guardian app is part of the Protect plan, and you can share it with up to seven family members. It works in any vehicle, not just yours. That’s a big deal for families here in Indianapolis. Your teenager heading off to college? Your spouse commuting across town? They can carry OnStar safety features right on their phone. If you’re ever caught in extreme weather or another crisis, push the blue OnStar button and an Advisor can help you find safe routes and nearby shelter through Crisis Assist.
OnStar Connect and Connect Plus: Stay Entertained on Every Drive
With OnStar Connect, you can stream music, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, and get real-time news updates right from your in-vehicle apps without needing to connect your phone. The Connect plan starts at $9.99 per month, making it easy to add a little fun to your daily commute. If you want the full package, Connect Plus includes everything in the Connect plan, plus unlimited data for your in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot. It also supports video streaming and gaming if your vehicle is properly equipped.
The Wi-Fi hotspot can power up to 7 devices, so passengers can stream shows, finish homework, or browse online while you keep your eyes on the road. Connect Plus starts at $19.99 per month. Stop by our Indianapolis showroom and we’ll give you a quick demo of how these apps look and feel on the center display.
OnStar One: The All-In-One Plan
If you want everything OnStar offers in a single monthly payment, OnStar One is the way to go. It bundles the full safety suite from the Protect plan with all the entertainment and connectivity of Connect Plus, including stolen vehicle tracking, roadside help, Wi-Fi, and more. OnStar One starts at $49.99 per month.
Vehicles with Super Cruise driver assistance technology get the added convenience of hands-free driving on compatible roads. Activate your turn signal on the highway and the system finds a clear spot and changes lanes for you. Super Cruise-capable vehicle owners who want OnStar One can expect pricing at $64.99 a month.
OnStar Plans at a Glance
| Feature | Basics (Included) | Protect | Connect Plus | OnStar One |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Crash Response | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Remote Commands (Lock/Unlock, Start) | ✔ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Voice Assistant and Navigation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Audio Streaming Apps | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 24/7 Advisor Access | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Stolen Vehicle Assistance | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Roadside Assistance | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| OnStar Guardian App | ✗ | ✔ | ✗ | ✔ |
| In-Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot (up to 7 devices) | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Video Streaming and Gaming | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Super Cruise (on compatible vehicles) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✔ |
| Monthly Price | Included (8 years) | Starting at $34.99/mo | Starting at $19.99/mo | Starting at $49.99/mo |
Pricing and features may vary. Check with our team at Ray Skillman Southside Buick GMC for the latest plan details that match your specific vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions About OnStar
Do I have to pay for OnStar on a new Buick or GMC?
Nope. Newer GM vehicles come with OnStar Basics for 8 years, and that covers things like automatic crash response, remote commands from your phone, audio streaming, voice assistant, and navigation. You won’t pay a dime for those features. Paid upgrades are available if you want extras like 24/7 Advisor access or Wi-Fi.
Can I transfer OnStar to a new owner if I sell my vehicle?
Yes. Whatever time is left on your included OnStar Basics carries over to the next owner. Even if you turned off OnStar services during your ownership, the new buyer can turn them back on as long as the 8-year window hasn’t closed.
Does OnStar work if I lease my vehicle?
Absolutely. Leasing doesn’t change your OnStar Basics at all. The included features are tied to the vehicle itself, so they come with the car whether you buy or lease. It won’t affect your monthly payment either way.
What is the OnStar Guardian app?
Think of it as OnStar safety that goes where you go. The Guardian app puts features like Mobile Crash Response and Roadside Assistance right on your smartphone. You don’t have to be sitting in a vehicle to use it. In a medical emergency, you can push the red Emergency button in the app from anywhere. It’s a great option for families who want that added layer of safety on the go.
What do I get with OnStar if my vehicle has Super Cruise?
If your vehicle came with Super Cruise, you’ll get hands-free driving on compatible roads for 3 years at no extra charge. Once that trial wraps up, you can subscribe to the OnStar One plan to keep using Super Cruise on hundreds of thousands of miles of compatible roads across North America.
See What You Get with OnStar at Our Indianapolis Showroom
Reading about OnStar is one thing. Sitting in a brand-new Buick Enclave or GMC Sierra and watching it all work in real time? That’s a completely different experience. Our team at Ray Skillman Southside Buick GMC in Indianapolis loves showing off what OnStar can do. We’ll walk you through the system, answer your questions, and help you figure out which plan fits your life. Browse our new Buick and GMC lineup online, or stop by and let us give you a hands-on demo. We’re here to make sure you feel confident and taken care of before, during, and long after you drive off the lot.