Most vehicles on the market today feature telematics or connectivity systems, such as GM’s OnStar or Chrysler’s Uconnect, and offer a free six-month subscription with a new lease or purchase. However, Verizon has created the Hum, its own version of what a telematics system should be. It offers many similar features found on OEM systems but can come in at a lower total price.

When your subscription to the OEM telematics system runs out, should you pay the subscription fee, or should you opt for an aftermarket system? We’ve compared some of the most popular OEM systems with the Verizon Hum to give you an apples-to-apples comparison so you can decide if you should make the switch.

OEM Telematics System

Navigation

One of the only things that Verizon’s Hum doesn’t offer is a navigation service. Nearly all OEM telematics systems feature navigation, whether it’s included in a monthly subscription or an extra service for an additional cost. GM’s OnStar system offers turn-by-turn direction and destination download, and with the OnStar app, you can even send the directions straight to your vehicle. Chrysler’s Uconnect offers similar features, including Send ’N Go, which lets you look up directions on your phone then display them on the infotainment screen through the Uconnect system. Lexus with its Enform system offers added navigation features such as Destination Assist and eDestination.

Connectivity

Hum also won’t let you connect to the internet. It doesn’t offer a Wi-Fi hot spot, 4G LTE, 3G, hands-free calling, voice-to-text, or any other similar feature. The Hum system was meant more for safety and security and less about staying connected. While not all OEM systems offer a Wi-Fi hot spot, many feature app suites in the infotainment system along with different hands-free features to keep drivers and passengers connected. From Pandora to Yelp, from Facebook to movie times, vehicles these days offer plenty of additional connected options for an extra price. Hum may be a simpler system, but it keeps drivers focused on the more important aspects of driving a car.

App Capabilities

Mobile apps for the various OEM telematics systems are becoming more and more advanced, and with systems such as Chrysler’s Uconnect, you have the ability to lock and unlock the doors, start your vehicle, and heat or cool the car before you even get behind the wheel. GM’s OnStar lets you send directions straight to your vehicle, locate it, manage your Wi-Fi settings, and see your vehicle’s diagnostic reports. Subaru’s Starlink and MySubaru app adds on these and even lets you flash your lights and use your horn. Hum offers some of these features, such as finding your car and viewing vehicle diagnostics, but doesn’t have the ability to lock/unlock doors or start the vehicle remotely.

Verizon Hum

Price

One of the biggest advantages that Verizon’s Hum has over OEM telematics systems is its price point. Up-front costs are $30 for the hardware and a $10 per month subscription with a two-year contract. OnStar starts at $20 per month for the most basic subscription service, and with additional standalone options, it can end up costing quite a bit more. For Uconnect, pricing starts at $15 per month, but you have to purchase the $50 per month 3G Wi-Fi hot spot subscription to use the advanced features. The Lexus Enform system starts at $140 per year but can go up to $345 per year, depending on the package. Subaru’s Starlink is the closest in terms of price, with the lowest package starting at $100 per year and going up to $150 per year.

Driving Reports

When it comes to monitoring your driving habits or those of your teen, Hum offers a great system. You have the ability to set speed alerts, so when that max speed is exceeded, you get an email or text notification. You can also set up boundary alerts to keep track of where your teen is driving. If the vehicle exits the boundary, you’ll get a notification. You can also set the boundary for specific days and times. Lastly, it offers vehicle location in the event that you forget where you parked or want to make sure your teen is where they say they are. Most OEM systems don’t offer such a system but instead share driver reports that can show your driving behavior and how to improve.

Compatibility

Perhaps the best selling point of Verizon’s Hum is that it’s compatible with almost every vehicle on the road. If your car is a 1996 model year or newer, there’s a good chance Hum will work in your car. Most OEM telematics systems currently on the market aren’t available on older models; Chrysler’s Uconnect, for example, isn’t compatible with vehicles from before 2013. GM’s OnStar isn’t much better, as it’s only available on 2011 model year vehicles or newer. Subaru’s Starlink is all-new for the 2016 model year and isn’t compatible with older models.

The post Aftermarket vs. In-Market: OEM Telematics vs. Verizon Hum appeared first on Motor Trend.

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Aftermarket vs. In-Market: OEM Telematics vs. Verizon Hum