Toyota to Debut Answer to OnStar

A telematics service that connects you to a GPS system in case of an emergency — sound familiar? Toyota will introduce its answer to OnStar, which it calls Lexus Enform — yes they spell it that way — in its Lexus luxury brand, and Safety Connect in select Toyota vehicles.

The service includes Automatic Collision Notification, an SOS button, Stolen Vehicle Location and roadside assistance. The Lexus Enform service also includes Destination Assist, which connects drivers to a live operator who can help with directions, or find the best Thai food in your neighborhood (which is what we would use it for).  It also includes eDestination, which can be accessed from any PC and uploaded to the satellite navigation system.

Accessible by voice command, the system will also include mobile audio casts and XM Radio. It will debut in the 2010 Lexus RX.

Both Safety Connect and Lexus Enform will begin to appear in models late this summer.

Comments

Onstar has always been free for a year. It's XM that's free for just 3 months on most GMs.

ermatthe,
you're right OnStar's basic services are free for a year. Thanks for the catch.

Seems like maybe it would've been cheaper for Toyota to add Onstar rather than coming up with their own system! Can Toyota's unlock your car doors too?

I think Onstar is a GM company. I don't know how they would feel about Toyota ordering their service.

You have it backwards. What you mean is you don't know how TOYOTA would feel about ordering their (GM's) service.

GM would be (and should be) honored and delighted that Toyota saw enough value in On-Star's service and technology to endorse it and install it in their cars ... instead of building their own (better) service to trump GM's.

^^^
Actually, Toyota (and VW) have used Onstar in their cars in the past. The LS400 had it under a different name.

Broq

Correction- Onstar was offered in the LS430, under the name "Lexus Link".

Broq

Not only Lexus, I believe Acura had it too. But they have pull the plugs now.

Audi also had it, as OnStar, on a few of their early 2000's models also

I've heard mixed reactions to Onstar. Some people I've talked to say it's a good piece of mind while others who have actually used it say the signal is weak and it's range is limited. Lady here at work had a new Malibu rental while vacationing in Idaho and the engine self destructed (bad camshaft) on the highway and all she got from the onstar button was beep. Nothing.

Hopefully the Toyota system is more reliable.

You're all correct. All of those (mentioned) car companies had on-star at one point - and each one dropped it.

On-star has very few perks. The lock-out feature and the emergency crash notification are both nice. Other than those, GM wasted their time money investing in technology to deploy turn by turn directions, concierge services and digital cell-phone calling when all the other car companies were rollling out those features in their navigation systems - and with bluetooth there were no extra bills.

A few years ago, and for a very short time, On-star's features were cutting edge. But like most GM products, it was over-marketed, over-hyped and WAY over-priced. Banks of analog cellphone minutes cost two or three times the average monthly digital cellphone bill.

GM finally caved in and became competitive (only because they had to - the only reason they ever do - and always too late) and now they even offer bluetooth and a good nav system in their cars.

On-Star is another GM product that needs to be reviewed and evaluated to make it relevant, not that they are running on our dime.

Yoing,
I'm guessing rentals turn it off because it could be abused.

One more thing that the OnStar is annoying: It is on the rearview mirror. I mean, can they put it on the dash or something? Some of us love our mirror extentions that sees 180 degrees!