2010 Cars with Bluetooth
Although thousands of Americans use the technology each day very few of them have even the remotest understanding of how it works. Simply put, Bluetooth is an inexpensive and simple way to wirelessly transmit data from one place to another. Generally this is done from phone to phone or from phone to wireless earpiece.While that doesn't explain exactly how it works, I think to fully understand that you would have to time travel forward a few hundred years and have Uhura from Star Trek explain it to you (some of the first Bluetooth earpieces were designed as an homage to the ones she wore in the 1960's sci-fi TV show).While Bluetooth is becoming a more and more common feature on new cars surprisingly only 34% of new cars sold in 2009 were equipped with the feature. This seems somewhat short sighted as many states are now passing laws that ban talking on your cell phone unless you are using Bluetooth.While there are Bluetooth headsets you can buy at most any electronic store, their quality often lags behind the built in systems that manufacturers use. The quality does vary of course vary from manufacturer to manufacturer with Kia having a surprisingly decent system standard in its $13,300 Kia Soul. On the other side of the coin apparently the Bluetooth in the $41,000 Mitsubishi EVO is utterly unusable because the system can't handle all the road, tire and wind noise.It is surprising, however to find that some automakers just give the technology away for free while others like BMW require you buy an expensive Premium package for $2,650 just to get Bluetooth. Other models higher in range, of course, get the technology as standard. So how is a consumer supposed to make heads or tails of this? Who is getting ripped off and who isn't?Well for this very reason I have compiled a list of some of the most well known car companies and whether or not they include Bluetooth with their 2010 models. The results may surprise you.(Note: These findings were from manufacturer websites and their standard features lists may change without warning so this is by no means an iron clad list. Having Bluetooth also does not guarantee that it will work with your particular model of phone.)Acura: Bluetooth Standard on all Models.Audi: Bluetooth and Homelink (opens your garage) are now bundled into the Premium Package on most models. Prices vary.BMW: Standard on the super-luxury models like the 7-series, it still seems kind of cheap to make a person dropping $50,000 on a 3-series spring for Bluetooth.Buick: Standard all modelsCadillac: Standard on all models.Chevy: Standard on all modelsFord: All models equipped with Sync. There is talk at Ford of making it free across the range. Either way, don't buy a Ford without Sync.Honda: Standard Accord Sedan, Coupe, Crosstour EX-L and above, Honda Civic with navigation, Honda CR-V EX-L with navigation, Honda Insight, Odyssey (models with navigation), Pilot (models with navigation).Hyundai: Standard on Genesis Sedan and Coupe. Available (for up to $325) on the Sonata, Azera, Veracruz, Accent, Elantra and Elantra Touring.Infiniti: EX, FX SUVs get Bluetooth as standard. Sedan models need to be ordered with navigation and digital hard drive unit.Lexus: All models equipped with navigation have Bluetooth.Mazda: 2010 3 gets standard Bluetooth, Now available on every model barring the ancient Mazda Tribute.Nissan: Must be purchased with an option package with the Altima, popular package on Versa SL, Maxima standard, standard 370Z Touring, standard Cube 1.8S and above, Available on Rogue SL, Murano on SL and above, Pathfinder on LE, Armada standard on Titanium and above, Nissan Quest only on 3.5 SL models.Subaru: All models with navigation come with Bluetooth, As for new Legacy/Outback, Bluetooth comes with Harmon Kardon sound system on Premium models and Limited models.Toyota: Available on RAV4, Prius, 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, Avalon, Camry, Tundra, Sienna, Land Cruiser, Venza, Corolla and Matrix. Availability is sometimes dictated by options packages. Check Toyota.com for more details. Sorry Yaris drivers, it appears you are out of luck.VW: Standard on 2010 Golf, Jetta, Sportwagen, GTI, optional on Routan minivan, not available on EOS, Bug or Passat but VW approved owner's Bluetooth kits available at dealerships.Volvo: Standard for 2010 on restyled C30 and available across the range.
Although thousands of Americans use the technology each day very few of them have even the remotest understanding of how it works. Simply put, Bluetooth is an inexpensive and simple way to wirelessly transmit data from one place to another. Generally this is done from phone to phone or from phone to wireless earpiece.
While that doesn't explain exactly how it works, I think to fully understand that you would have to time travel forward a few hundred years and have Uhura from Star Trek explain it to you (some of the first Bluetooth earpieces were designed as an homage to the ones she wore in the 1960's sci-fi TV show).
While Bluetooth is becoming a more and more common feature on new cars surprisingly only 34% of new cars sold in 2009 were equipped with the feature. This seems somewhat short sighted as many states are now passing laws that ban talking on your cell phone unless you are using Bluetooth.
While there are Bluetooth headsets you can buy at most any electronic store, their quality often lags behind the built in systems that manufacturers use. The quality does vary of course vary from manufacturer to manufacturer with Kia having a surprisingly decent system standard in its $13,300 Kia Soul. On the other side of the coin apparently the Bluetooth in the $41,000 Mitsubishi EVO is utterly unusable because the system can't handle all the road, tire and wind noise.
It is surprising, however to find that some automakers just give the technology away for free while others like BMW require you buy an expensive Premium package for $2,650 just to get Bluetooth. Other models higher in range, of course, get the technology as standard. So how is a consumer supposed to make heads or tails of this? Who is getting ripped off and who isn't?
Well for this very reason I have compiled a list of some of the most well known car companies and whether or not they include Bluetooth with their 2010 models. The results may surprise you.
(Note: These findings were from manufacturer websites and their standard features lists may change without warning so this is by no means an iron clad list. Having Bluetooth also does not guarantee that it will work with your particular model of phone.)
Acura: Bluetooth Standard on all Models.
Audi: Bluetooth and Homelink (opens your garage) are now bundled into the Premium Package on most models. Prices vary.
BMW: Standard on the super-luxury models like the 7-series, it still seems kind of cheap to make a person dropping $50,000 on a 3-series spring for Bluetooth.
Buick: Standard all models
Cadillac: Standard on all models.
Chevy: Standard on all models
Ford: All models equipped with Sync. There is talk at Ford of making it free across the range. Either way, don't buy a Ford without Sync.
Honda: Standard Accord Sedan, Coupe, Crosstour EX-L and above, Honda Civic with navigation, Honda CR-V EX-L with navigation, Honda Insight, Odyssey (models with navigation), Pilot (models with navigation).
Hyundai: Standard on Genesis Sedan and Coupe. Available (for up to $325) on the Sonata, Azera, Veracruz, Accent, Elantra and Elantra Touring.
Infiniti: EX, FX SUVs get Bluetooth as standard. Sedan models need to be ordered with navigation and digital hard drive unit.
Lexus: All models equipped with navigation have Bluetooth.
Mazda: 2010 3 gets standard Bluetooth, Now available on every model barring the ancient Mazda Tribute.
Nissan: Must be purchased with an option package with the Altima, popular package on Versa SL, Maxima standard, standard 370Z Touring, standard Cube 1.8S and above, Available on Rogue SL, Murano on SL and above, Pathfinder on LE, Armada standard on Titanium and above, Nissan Quest only on 3.5 SL models.
Subaru: All models with navigation come with Bluetooth, As for new Legacy/Outback, Bluetooth comes with Harmon Kardon sound system on Premium models and Limited models.
Toyota: Available on RAV4, Prius, 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, Avalon, Camry, Tundra, Sienna, Land Cruiser, Venza, Corolla and Matrix. Availability is sometimes dictated by options packages. Check Toyota.com for more details. Sorry Yaris drivers, it appears you are out of luck.
VW: Standard on 2010 Golf, Jetta, Sportwagen, GTI, optional on Routan minivan, not available on EOS, Bug or Passat but VW approved owner's Bluetooth kits available at dealerships.
Volvo: Standard for 2010 on restyled C30 and available across the range.
