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What Cars Have GPS Tracking Built In? (Full List)

what cars have gps tracking built-in

You’re sitting there wondering whether your car can be tracked — either because you want to track it yourself, or because someone else might be doing it without you knowing. Either way, it’s a reasonable thing to want to understand.

Here’s the short answer: most new cars sold in the USA since 2020 have some form of built-in GPS tracking. But “some form” covers a lot of ground. There’s a big difference between a car that can send your GPS coordinates to a 911 operator after a crash and one that lets you open an app and watch your vehicle move down the street in real time.

This guide breaks down exactly which brands have it, what their systems actually do, and what your options are if your car didn’t come with tracking built in.

GPS Navigation vs. GPS Tracking — Not the Same Thing

This is a point worth making before we get into brand specifics.

Nearly every car sold today has GPS navigation — the blue dot on a map that tells you where to turn. That’s not the same as GPS tracking. Tracking means someone external (you, a response center, or law enforcement) can pinpoint where your car is right now, even if you’re not in it.

Real GPS tracking requires a cellular connection inside the vehicle — not just GPS hardware. The car needs to be able to transmit its location outward. That’s why these systems are called telematics — a combination of telecommunications and GPS. And most of them require a subscription, because someone’s paying for that cellular data.

With that in mind, here’s who has it.

Cars With Built-In GPS Tracking, Brand by Brand

General Motors — OnStar

Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac all come with OnStar, which has been around since 1996 and is by far the most established connected car system in America. If you drive a GM vehicle, you almost certainly have it.

OnStar goes well beyond navigation. In a stolen vehicle scenario, OnStar can actually slow your car down remotely to help police recover it — a feature that no app-based system really matches. The automatic crash response is also genuinely useful: if your airbags deploy, OnStar calls you. If you don’t respond, they send emergency services to your GPS location automatically.

Remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle location are all handled through the myChevrolet (or myBuick, myGMC, myCadillac) app. Most new GM vehicles include basic connectivity for free; the full suite of tracking and remote features requires a paid plan.

Toyota and Lexus — Safety Connect

Toyota has done a good job of making Safety Connect standard across its lineup rather than relegating it to higher trims. Whether you’re buying a Corolla or a Tundra, you’re likely getting it.

The core feature most people care about is the Stolen Vehicle Locator — Toyota’s 24/7 response center can track your car and share its location with law enforcement. There’s also an SOS button that connects you to a live agent with your precise coordinates, and automatic collision notification that kicks in if the car detects a crash.

Lexus runs a parallel system called Lexus Enform, which works the same way but is branded separately. Most 2020 and newer Lexus models include it standard.

Toyota typically offers a complimentary trial period (anywhere from one to three years depending on the model), after which you’ll need a paid subscription to keep tracking features active.

BMW — ConnectedDrive

BMW’s Connected Drive platform has been around long enough to be genuinely mature. The stolen vehicle recovery service is well-regarded — BMW’s team can locate your car and coordinate directly with police, and they have a solid track record with actual recoveries.

Through the MyBMW app, you can check your car’s location, lock it remotely, and see its status at any time. Emergency calls transmit your GPS coordinates automatically, and there’s a 24/7 response center behind it.

Available on most 2018 and newer BMW models. Features require an active ConnectedDrive subscription after the complimentary period.

Mercedes-Benz — Mercedes me connect

Mercedes calls its system Mercedes me connect (it was previously known as mbrace). The feature set is what you’d expect from a luxury brand: stolen vehicle tracking, accident response, geofencing, speed alerts, and remote control through the Mercedes me app.

The geofencing on Mercedes systems is worth mentioning specifically — you can set a zone and get notified any time the car enters or leaves it, which is useful if you’re lending the car to someone or monitoring a teenage driver. Available on most C-Class, E-Class, GLC, GLE, and S-Class vehicles from 2016 onward.

Ford and Lincoln — FordPass Connect

Ford’s connected car system runs through FordPass Connect, an embedded modem that handles everything from vehicle location to over-the-air software updates. Through the FordPass app, you can see where your car is parked, lock and unlock it remotely, and contact Ford’s Stolen Vehicle Assistance team if needed.

The F-150, Explorer, Escape, Mustang Mach-E, Bronco, and most other 2020+ Ford models include it. Lincoln’s equivalent is simply called Lincoln Way, and it works the same way on Navigator, Corsair, Aviator, and Nautilus models.

Ford includes a complimentary connected period; some advanced features require a plan afterward.

Stellantis — Uconnect with SiriusXM Guardian

This one gets overlooked a lot, but it shouldn’t — Stellantis brands are among the best-selling vehicles in the USA. If you drive a Jeep, Ram, Dodge, or Chrysler, your connected services run through Uconnect paired with SiriusXM Guardian.

SiriusXM Guardian handles the tracking side: stolen vehicle assistance, roadside assistance with GPS, and a 24/7 response center. Through the Uconnect app (or SiriusXM Guardian app), you can locate your vehicle, get speed alerts, and set boundary alerts.

Available on most 2018+ Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Gladiator, Ram 1500 and 2500, Dodge Durango and Charger, and Chrysler Pacifica. Requires a SiriusXM Guardian subscription.

Honda’s system is Honda Connect, built on SiriusXM’s telematics platform. It covers the essentials: stolen vehicle recovery, emergency SOS with GPS, and remote access through the Honda app. Acura runs the same infrastructure under the AcuraLink name.

Honda Connect became standard on most models from 2022 onward — CR-V, Accord, Pilot, Ridgeline, and Passport are all included. On the Acura side, the MDX, RDX, and TLX come equipped.

These three brands (all under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella) offer some of the most capable telematics systems at non-luxury price points, which is genuinely impressive.

Hyundai Bluelink and Kia Connect both include geofencing with alerts — something many luxury brands charge extra for. You can set a boundary around your home, a city, or any area you choose, and get a notification the moment the car crosses it. Stolen vehicle recovery, curfew alerts, and speed alerts are also included, making these systems particularly popular with parents of new drivers.

Genesis Connected Services mirrors the same capability on Genesis GV70, GV80, G80, and G90 models — same parent company, same solid platform, premium branding.

Hyundai: Tucson, Santa Fe, Elantra, Sonata, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Palisade (most 2020+) Kia: Telluride, Sportage, Sorento, EV6, K5, Carnival (most 2020+)

Nissan and Infiniti — NissanConnect / Infiniti InTouch

NissanConnect is available on Rogue, Altima, Frontier, Murano, Pathfinder, Armada, and most 2019+ models. Emergency calling with GPS, stolen vehicle locator, and remote start/lock are the headline features.

Infiniti’s InTouch system runs on the same infrastructure and is available on QX50, QX60, QX80, and Q50 models. Both systems work through their respective companion apps.

Volkswagen — We Connect / VW Car-Net

Volkswagen rolled out We Connect across its US lineup as it transitioned to newer platforms, particularly on ID.4 and newer Jetta, Tiguan, and Atlas models. The system supports vehicle location, trip logging, and remote access through the myVW app. It’s not as feature-rich as some competitors on the tracking side, but location services and emergency calling are covered.

Volvo — Volvo On Call

Volvo’s On Call system is well-regarded and has been standard on the brand’s lineup for years. Real-time GPS location, stolen vehicle tracking, and a 24/7 response center are all included. Through the Volvo Cars app, you can monitor your car’s location, lock/unlock it, and check engine status.

Available on XC40, XC60, XC90, S60, V60, and most 2018+ Volvo models.

Audi — Audi connect / myAudi

Audi’s connect platform delivers GPS tracking, stolen vehicle tracking, and emergency calling across its lineup. The myAudi app handles remote access and vehicle location. Available on A3, A4, A6, Q3, Q5, Q7, and e-tron models from 2019 onward.

Subaru’s STARLINK Safety and Security system (completely separate from SpaceX’s satellite internet service — just a naming coincidence) is standard on Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, Ascent, and Solterra. It covers automatic collision notification, SOS calling with GPS, and a stolen vehicle locator through a 24/7 response center.

Mazda — Mazda Connected Service

Mazda has been expanding its connected services across the lineup. Mazda Connected Services includes remote lock/unlock, vehicle finder (GPS location via the MyMazda app), and emergency assistance. Available on CX-5, CX-50, CX-90, Mazda3, and Mazda6 (select 2021+ models).

Tesla — Tesla App

Tesla deserves its own mention because it handles GPS tracking differently from everyone else on this list — and in some ways better.

Every Tesla (Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, Cybertruck) has built-in LTE and GPS as core parts of how the car operates. Through the Tesla app, you can see your car’s exact location in real time at any moment, not just when triggered by an emergency. Sentry Mode — Tesla’s parking security system — sends your phone an alert with the car’s GPS location if the cameras detect suspicious activity nearby. Stolen vehicle recovery is handled through Tesla directly, who can share live tracking data with law enforcement.

What makes Tesla stand out: basic GPS tracking is free, permanently. The $9.99/month Premium Connectivity plan adds satellite maps and live traffic visualization, but you don’t need it to see where your car is. Most other brands make you pay for that.

Rivian — Rivian App

Rivian’s R1T and R1S come with built-in LTE and real-time GPS tracking through the Rivian app. Similar to Tesla, location tracking is integrated into the ownership experience you can monitor your vehicle’s location, lock/unlock remotely, and receive alerts. Theft response is handled through Rivian’s support team.

Quick Reference Table

BrandSystemStolen Vehicle TrackingGeofencingApp LocationFree Tracking?
Chevrolet / GMC / Buick / CadillacOnStar
Toyota / LexusSafety Connect / EnformTrial only
BMWConnectedDrive
Mercedes-BenzMercedes me
Ford / LincolnFordPass / Lincoln WayTrial only
Stellantis (Jeep/Ram/Dodge)Uconnect + SXM Guardian
Honda / AcuraHonda Connect / AcuraLink
Hyundai / Kia / GenesisBluelink / Kia Connect
Nissan / InfinitiNissanConnect / InTouch
VolkswagenWe Connect
VolvoVolvo On Call
AudiAudi connect
SubaruSTARLINK
MazdaConnected Services
TeslaTesla App
RivianRivian App

What If Your Car Isn’t on This List?

Plenty of cars on US roads fall outside this list older models, certain trims that skipped the telematics package, used imports, or budget vehicles where the manufacturer simply didn’t include connected services. If that’s your situation, an aftermarket GPS tracker is the practical answer.

A good aftermarket tracker gives you everything the factory systems offer — real-time location, geofencing, theft alerts, route history, without being tied to the manufacturer’s ecosystem or paying dealer prices for a subscription.

What actually matters when choosing one

4G LTE is non-negotiable. Older 2G and 3G networks have been shut down or are being phased out across the USA. A tracker running on those networks is already unreliable and will stop working entirely before long. Only buy a 4G device.

Real-time tracking, not just trip logs. Some cheap trackers only record where the car has been, not where it is right now. If theft recovery or live monitoring is important to you, confirm the device updates location in real time.

Geofencing. The ability to draw a virtual boundary and get a notification when the car crosses it. More useful in practice than most people expect.

PAJ GPS — Tracking for Any Vehicle

PAJ GPS makes 4G car trackers designed specifically for the US market, with coverage across 100+ countries and a straightforward app that works on iOS and Android.

The vehicle-finder 4G 2.0 is the dedicated car tracker hardwired setup, continuous power, live location updates, geofencing, speed alerts, and a 30-day trip history. It’s built for people who want reliable, always-on tracking.

Both connect to the PAJ GPS Portal, which lets you monitor location in real time, set geofences, get alerts, and review route history. Plans start at $13/month in line with most manufacturer subscription tiers, but available for any car you own.