10 Cars with a Wi-Fi Hotspot

2014 cadillac cue wifi hotspot ・ Photo by Cadillac

We live in a connected world, and auto manufacturers have done their best to keep up. The challenge used to be in connecting devices to cars. Data flowed to the device to the car. The car displayed information or played audio, and everybody was happy.

Now, carmakers are building systems where the car is the hub of a communications system. The car makes and maintains its own cellular data connection, and then makes that connection available to multiple devices and users within and around the vehicle using Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is faster, more secure and has higher bandwidth than Bluetooth. It’s also more expensive and draws more power, so there are downsides — but if you’re connecting laptops and tablets to a car, Wi-Fi is a much better choice. It can turn your car into a mobile office for your business, or an entertainment capsule on wheels for your family.

2018 Audi A8 L

The 2018 Audi A8 L is a long-wheelbase executive sedan that's designed to be a luxurious conveyance from every seat. Executives with drivers will be delighted by the space in the second row, especially if they need to work while riding. Wi-Fi for up to eight devices is built into the Audi Connect system; an AT&T Unlimited Connected Car Plan with 4G/LTE connectivity at $20 per month is required after an initial six-month free trial to maintain Wi-Fi capability.

The great thing about the A8 L is that when the driver is off-duty, driving is hardly a chore. The big sedan is nimble, fast and fun to drive, and the Wi-Fi can keep young passengers busy and quiet during long drives.

Photo by Audi

2017 BMW 7 Series

BMW’s flagship luxury sedan comes with a standard Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect up to 10 devices using the BMW ConnectedDrive system and an AT&T data plan. AT&T Mobile Share plan customers can add their 2017 7 Series to their existing Mobile Share Value plan for an additional $10 per month.

Ten devices might seem like overkill for a sedan, but with a car full of passengers, each using a smartphone and tablet or laptop, that amount of connectivity might be necessary and appreciated. The fact that this capability is part of a vehicle that is renowned for its performance, luxury and elegance is a great bonus for tech-savvy drivers and owners.

Photo by BMW

2017 Buick Regal

OnStar is a communications system that is included with nearly all General Motors vehicles, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot capability is available as part of the OnStar service on the 2017 Buick Regal. With the OnStar system in the Regal, you can connect up to seven devices at once via Wi-Fi.

The first three months or 3 GB of service are included with the purchase of a new Regal. A monthly unlimited plan runs $20, and day passes and other plans are also available. 20 MB for one day costs $5, and 120 GB for 12 months is $150, so you can turn on Wi-Fi in your Regal for special occasions like a family vacation without committing to a monthly fee.

Photo by Buick

2017 Cadillac ATS

Like the Buick Regal, the 2017 Cadillac ATS comes with General Motors' OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot capability built in. OnStar basic service is complimentary for the first five years of ownership with an ATS, but to use the Wi-Fi capability, you have to sign up for a service plan. Pricing is the same as with Regal, with a three-month/3 GB introductory service included and monthly or day pass plans available after that.

The ATS is widely considered to be the best-driving Cadillac to date, rivaling European brands for handling, acceleration and braking. The OnStar system amplifies an already excellent driver’s car into an impressive high-tech vehicle.

Photo by Cadillac

2017 Chevrolet Malibu

General Motors’ connection to OnStar, a former subsidiary, pays dividends in the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. This solid, unpretentious sedan comes with standard OnStar and built-in OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability just like the luxurious Cadillac ATS and Buick Regal models. So buyers who choose a more affordable Malibu can still sign up for a data plan through OnStar that will allow them to connect up to seven devices to the internet via Wi-Fi.

This is an edge that Malibu can boast over several other popular mid-size sedans, like the 2018 Toyota Camry (which can only connect up to five devices to its Wi-Fi) and 2018 Honda Accord (which offers Wi-Fi only on its priciest version).

Photo by General Motors

2017 Chrysler 200

The 2017 Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan isn’t often at the top of wish lists, but it does have standard UConnect Access, a feature that gives you the option of subscribing to a 3G data service. This subscription unlocks the 200's Wi-Fi capability, allowing you to connect devices to your car and the Internet.

“3G” stands for “third-generation.” All of the other systems we’ve looked at on this list use 4G (fourth-generation) data protocols, which can be up to 10 times faster than 3G. So the 200 is a little behind the best of the competition, but it still offers a feature that’s not yet widely available at affordable prices.

Photo by Chrysler

2018 Jaguar XF

There aren’t many mid-size sedans more beautiful than the 2018 Jaguar XF, and that beauty is more than skin deep. XF is also a beautifully equipped sedan, with tons of luxury and convenience features. Jaguar InControl Wi-Fi is a standard feature on XF. With activation through AT&T, you receive a three-month/3 GB trial, after which you can choose to pay for AT&T Mobile Share or Day Pass usage.

You can connect up to eight devices at once with InControl Wi-Fi in your XF, which means that passengers will be plugged into data during your drive, as long as you have a 4G LTE connection. Jaguar touts its “powerful external antenna” as a contributing factor to superior Wi-Fi connectivity.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC Sedan

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC sedan comes with mbrace as standard equipment, as do all current Mercedes-Benz models. The mbrace system is a suite of safety, entertainment and infotainment systems, some of which are automatic and some of which must be activated by the owner.

Wi-Fi is part of the mbrace Entertain package, which comes with a three-month trial period and then bills at $18 per month thereafter. The C300 4MATIC is a quick, sure-footed sedan with a host of luxury and convenience features, and it can be equipped with a wide range of innovative safety systems — making it not only a connected car but a highly capable one as well.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz Media

2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4

There are plenty of reasons to lust after a 2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4. It’s a great driver’s car with blistering acceleration, endless grip and legendary handling. With the addition of Porsche Connect, a new suite of hardware, software and services, the 911 Targa 4 gains Wi-Fi capability via an LTE module with a SIM card reader.

Though it’s hard to imagine needing any further entertainment than a ride in a 911, especially the Targa 4 model, your passenger can connect their smartphone, tablet or laptop to the internet as long as the car is within LTE data range. Or, they can just unplug and enjoy the ride.

Photo by Porsche

2017 Volvo S90

Volvo’s latest flagship sedan makes the case for the brand to be included on the list of premium European marques alongside Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Beyond its exquisite exterior and interior design, innovative powertrain and supple performance, the 2017 S90 excels at technology and connectivity. Volvo’s Sensus Connect system, accessed via a large portrait-oriented 9-inch touchscreen, is one of the best.

When you purchase a data plan from AT&T, you can connect up to eight devices to your S90 via Wi-Fi and access the Internet at 4G LTE speeds. Your passengers will be able to tweet about the Scandinavian luxury that they’re surrounded by — without using up any of their precious data.

Photo by Volvo