According to a report by The Drive, 2018 or newer Toyota models require a subscription to allow the remote control key to support the remote start function.

The report states: “Toyota is the first company to charge for the full use of your physical key fob—at the current price of the remote connection plan, it’s $8 per month or $80 per year.”

When buying a new Toyota, buyers can choose to try Toyota's connected services. 

The report said: "These may include functions such as emergency assistance, hotspot connections, and application-based services such as remote vehicle unlocking and activation." 

The news of Toyota's decision surfaced on Reddit last month after a user found some wording in Toyota's "remote connection" marketing materials, suggesting that drivers need to continue to subscribe to use the remote control key to start the car remotely. 

The report states: "If you do not have a paid subscription to Toyota's "remote connection" connection service kit, the proximity-based radio frequency (RF) remote start function of the remote control key will not be available." 

The "remote connection" service allows drivers to use their smart watches, smart home devices or smartphones to start their cars.

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