Hyundai's Blue Link Priced Below OnStar

Blue Link’s suite of packages — it’s not an all-in-one service — covers not only OnStar-style safety services but also matches Ford’s new MyKey system in keeping track of young drivers. Features such as remote start also fall under the Blue Link umbrella. For more on the system, go here.

The base Assurance Package, which costs $79 a year, includes automatic collision assistance, emergency assistance, vehicle reporting and one-button roadside assistance.

Features such as remote door unlocking, vehicle start, vehicle immobilization and a remote smartphone app require an upgrade to the Assurance & Essentials Package, which costs $179 a year.

Finally, features like route guidance, traffic condition warnings and turn-by-turn navigation can be added with the Guidance Package, which costs $279 a year.

Blue Link is competitive with GM’s OnStar, which is now available in all cars compatible with the new OnStar FMV product. OnStar costs $18.95 a month or $199 a year for the basic protection plan or $28.90 a month or $299 a year for turn-by-turn navigation and other navigation services.

OnStar’s basic protection is comparable to Blue Link’s Assurance & Essentials, which costs $20 less a year than OnStar’s package. The Blue Link package offers greater multiyear discounts and has features including voice text messaging and a recall adviser system.

Blue Link’s Assurance, Essentials & Guidance is also $20 less than its comparable OnStar plan; it seems Hyundai is intentionally undercutting its established competitor to gain adoption. 

Blue Link will come standard on the 2012 Sonata, which goes on sale in the coming weeks, and will be available on the new 2012 Veloster that’s scheduled for launch this fall. Both vehicles will get a complementary six months of service of the Assurance Package and three months of the Essentials & Guidance Package.

The communication system will be available throughout Hyundai’s lineup in 2013.