Toyota Cars with Remote Start (14 Models: New & Used)
Toyota’s remote start system provides an easy way of starting the engine to cool down or heat the vehicle in extreme weather conditions from the comfort of your home (or anywhere ahead of time).
The following Toyota models can perform the remote start function, subject to their model years and Remote Connect subscription status.
Do All Toyotas Have Remote Start?
Depending on your Toyota’s model year, the remote start functionality may be available on the key fob or via the automaker’s Remote Connect smartphone app.
Remote Connect is a network of Connected Services, including remote start.
Some Toyotas manufactured between 2018 and 2020 with the Audio Plus package may have a limited three-year Connected Services trial, while a limited number of 2020 Toyotas with Audio Plus key fob get an extended trial period of up to ten years.
Plus, select 2018 to 2020 Toyota models with the Premium Audio package can enjoy the trial subscription for up to ten years.
In both cases, a paid subscription is necessary after the trial to continue using remote start (and the other Connected Services). Only those with an automatic transmission can start remotely.
Remote start isn’t available in all Toyotas, but drivers can subscribe to the automaker’s Remote Connect application to enjoy the functionality, specifically for models made in 2018 or later.
However, some Toyota models before 2018 had remote start-equipped key fobs.
How to Remote-Start a Toyota Using the Key Fob
Starting a Toyota’s engine remotely (if the car has this functionality and has activated Connected Services) involves pressing the LOCK button on the key fob three times:
- Press the LOCK button on the remote.
- Press the LOCK button a second time within 1 second.
- Press the LOCK button again, holding it for three seconds, and the engine will start. Gasoline-only engines start quicker, while hybrid ones take slightly longer (approx. 2-3 seconds more).
Toyota Cars with Remote Start
#1 Toyota Corolla & Corolla Hybrid
Toyota Corolla is the Japanese marque’s most successful small sedan, with solid reliability and low ownership costs.
2012 and 2013 Toyota Corolla models had remote-start as optional equipment, while the 2018 and newer versions can only perform remote start with a free or paid Remote Connect subscription.
Most pre-2012 Toyota Corolla sedans did not have remote start, except for the 2019 Corolla; the function was similarly absent in 2014 through 2017 models.
#2 Toyota Camry & Camry Hybrid
The Camry is Toyota’s long-running midsize sedan.
Toyota Camry sedans between 2012 and 2016 have optional remote start across the trim levels, including the LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and Hybrid models.
Newer Toyota Camrys released in 2018 or later require an activated Remote Connect subscription (trial or paid) to perform remote start via the key fob or smartphone app.
2011 and older Toyota Camry models did not have remote start, except for the 2008 version.
#3 Toyota Avalon
Toyota’s largest sedan, the Avalon, has been around since the 1990s, but the Japanese carmaker stopped making the model after 2022.
Except for 2011 and 2016, owners of Toyota Avalon sedans made from 2008 to 2018 can remotely start their cars using the key fob, as the functionality was available across the range.
Toyota Avalon models released between 2019 and 2022 can perform remote start only with a Remote Connect subscription, whether trial or paid.
#4 Toyota Prius & Prius Prime
Toyota Prius is symbolic of the eco-friendly drive as the most successful hybrid vehicle, while Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid that adds some all-electricity range.
Remote start is optional across all 2012 and 2013 Toyota Prius trim levels.
2014 and newer Toyota Prius hatchbacks (including the Prius Prime) do not have remote start functionality; however, owners of the 2018 or later Prius models can take out a Remote Connect subscription to enable remote start.
Prius models before 2012 did not have remote start, unfortunately.
Toyota SUVs with Remote Start
#5 Toyota C-HR
Toyota’s smallest crossover, the C-HR, competes against other subcompacts like the Hyundai Kona, Subaru Crosstrek, and Honda HR-V.
Since 2018’s debuting model, the extra-small Toyota C-HR cannot start remotely using the key fob or digitally without a Remote Connect subscription.
#6 Toyota Corolla Cross
Toyota released the Corolla Cross subcompact SUV in 2022, modeled after the highly-popular Corolla sedan.
Fob-based remote start isn’t available in the 2022 or newer Toyota Corolla Cross, with a Remote Connect subscription (trial or paid) the only way to activate the capability digitally.
#7 Toyota RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, & RAV4 Prime
Few small SUVs are as popular as the RAV4 in America and globally.
Remote start is available in 2008-2010, 2012-2013, and 2015-2018 Toyota RAV4 SUVs as optional equipment.
2019 and newer Toyota RAV4 models, including the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, require a Remote Connect subscription to enjoy the remote start capability.
Pre-2018 RAV4s cannot start remotely.
#8 Toyota Venza
Toyota Venza is a two-row midsize SUV.
Except for 2010 and 2011, all 2009 to 2015 Toyota Venza trim levels had remote-start as an optional provision, including the LE, XLE, and Limited.
Buyers of 2021 or newer Toyota Venza SUVs need to subscribe to Remote Connect to start the engine remotely – if the SUV doesn’t already have a trial subscription.
#9 Toyota 4Runner
The two-row midsize Toyota 4Runner is the marque’s most off-road capable SUV.
Between 2012 and 2016, every Toyota 4Runner had an optional remote start, including the SR5, SR5 Premium, Trail, Trail Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro; older models did not have that functionality.
Remote start has been available for 2018 and newer Toyota 4Runner SUVs, but only if the owners subscribe to Remote Connect after the trial period, if any, has expired.
#10 Toyota Highlander & Highlander Hybrid
Toyota Highlander is a three-row midsize SUV.
Except for 2010 and 2011, all Toyota Highlander SUV trim levels from 2008 to 2016 had optional remote-start, including the LE, XLE, Limited, Limited Platinum, and Hybrid models.
Uniquely, the 2015 Toyota Highlander had a remote starter as standard equipment, but only for the upper trims.
2018 or newer Toyota Highlander, including the hybrid variant, has remote start capability through a trial or paid Remote Connect subscription.
#11 Toyota Sequoia
As Toyota’s largest SUV, the full-size Sequoia can seat up to eight passengers.
2008 to 2017 Toyota Sequoia SUVs had optional remote start functionality across the range, excluding 2010, 2011, and 2015 models.
Toyota Sequoia models from 2018 onwards didn’t come with remote-start, with the functionality being available strictly via a Remote Connect subscription.
Toyota Minivan with Remote Start
#12 Toyota Sienna
Manufacturers that produce minivans aren’t many, and Toyota Sienna is one of the top picks.
Except for 2016, most Toyota Sienna minivans from 2012 to 2017 had remote start functionality, including the L, LE, SE, XLE, Limited, and Premium models.
Toyota Sienna variants produced in 2018 and later have remote start, but owners would need to subscribe to Remote Connect to take advantage of the feature.
Toyota Trucks with Remote Start
#13 Toyota Tacoma
Midsize pickups are ideal for work and off-roading without the footprint of a full-size truck, and the Tacoma is the best-seller of its class.
Since the Japanese automaker commenced Remote Connect subscription services that include the remote start functionality in 2018, owners with properly-equipped Toyotas can remote-start the engines using the key fob or digitally.
2018 and newer Toyota Tacoma pickups may have remote start through Remote Connect, subject to hardware availability, while older models cannot perform that function.
In any case, only automatic gearbox-equipped models can start remotely.
#14 Toyota Tundra
Toyota Tundra challenges similar full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500.
Most Toyota Tundra trucks made in 2008-2009, 2012-2013, and 2015-2017 can perform remote start using the physical key, including the SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, and Platinum.
Owners of 2018 and newer Toyota Tundra pickups can remote-start their trucks via the key fob or digitally if a Remote Connect subscription is active.
2007 and older Toyota Tundras cannot start remotely.
Alternative Makes & Models with Remote Start
Many mainstream car manufacturers produce vehicles that can start remotely, and they include:
- Honda cars with remote start.
- Mazda cars with remote start.
- Subaru cars with remote start.
- Nissan cars with remote start.
- Hyundai cars with remote start.
- Kia cars with remote start.
- Volkswagen cars with remote start.
- Ford vehicles with remote start.
- Chevy vehicles with remote start.
- Jeep SUVs with remote start.
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