If you find yourself regularly using and benefitting from SiriusXM Guardian’s remote convenience, safety alert, and security features, the service is likely worthwhile, especially if you negotiate pricing after the free trial.
However, if you won’t utilize most of the capabilities often, then skipping the expensive subscription is reasonable since the connected features don’t always work flawlessly anyway. Ultimately, determining whether consistent access to remote commands, alerts and tracking abilities are essential for your driving habits and provide enough value to justify the cost is necessary to decide if SiriusXM Guardian is worth it for you.
We’ll provide a comprehensive evaluation of SiriusXM Guardian so you can determine if it’s a service worth shelling out cash for after that free trial is up. I’ll go over what exactly SiriusXM Guardian is, walk through the key features it offers, look at the different service packages available, weigh the pros and cons, and give my overall opinion on if it’s worth it.
What is SiriusXM Guardian?
So what exactly is SiriusXM Guardian? It’s a system that works through your Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment display to give you access to a suite of convenience, safety, and security features. The real perk is that you can access these features through the SiriusXM Guardian smartphone app or compatible smartwatches.
For example, you could start your car remotely from your phone before going out to scrape off the ice on a cold winter morning. Or you could ask your partner to send your current location right from their watch if they get lost driving your Jeep.
When you purchase a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass, Renegade or Wrangler built after 2018, you get a free 12-month trial of the SiriusXM Guardian Convenience + Security package. This gives you plenty of time to test drive the features before deciding if you want to pay to keep the service.
Convenience Features
- Smartphone/Smartwatch App – The SiriusXM Guardian app allows you to access all the features right from your phone or compatible smartwatch no matter where you are.
- Remote Vehicle Start – Start your car remotely so it’s warmed up or cooled down by the time you get in, perfect for brutal winter or summer weather.
- Remote Door Lock/Unlock – Lock or unlock your doors remotely through the app in case you can’t remember if you secured your Jeep or not.
- Remote Horn and Lights – Flash the lights or honk the horn to easily locate your Jeep in a crowded parking lot right from your phone.
- Send and Go – Search for destinations on your phone and send the address directly to the navigation system in your Jeep. No need to re-enter locations manually.
- Vehicle Finder – Uses your phone’s location services to pinpoint exactly where you parked and guide you back to your Jeep if you’ve forgotten where you left it.
- Alexa Built-In Onboard – Link your Jeep and Alexa to access SiriusXM Guardian features through voice commands. Just say “Alexa, ask Guardian to remote start my Jeep” and you’re good to go.
- Speed Alert – Get notifications if your Jeep exceeds a set speed limit so you can ensure safe driving if others are using your vehicle.
- Boundary Alert – Be alerted if your Jeep leaves a designated area you establish as off-limits.
- Curfew Alert – Receive alerts if your Jeep is driven past a set time period to monitor unauthorized nighttime usage.
Safety and Security Features
- SOS Call – Press the SOS button in your Jeep to immediately connect with emergency services in a crisis situation to get help fast.
- Automatic SOS (ASOS) Call – If airbags deploy in an accident, ASOS automatically contacts an agent who can notify emergency responders of your GPS location.
- Roadside Assistance Call – Connect with an agent who can dispatch roadside help if you run out of gas, get a flat, or have another issue while driving.
- Theft Alarm Notification – Get alerts on your phone if your Jeep’s alarm is triggered so you can take quick action in the event of suspicious activity.
- Stolen Vehicle Assistance – Use GPS tracking to help authorities locate your Jeep if it gets stolen and increase the chances of recovering it.
- SiriusXM Guardian Assistance – Contact customer support agents if you need help with any issues related to the SiriusXM Guardian system.
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SiriusXM Guardian Packages
SiriusXM Guardian offers different service packages ranging from the most comprehensive to more basic options.
The SiriusXM Guardian Ultimate package provides the full suite of features. For example, it includes remote door lock/unlock, vehicle finder, emergency SOS assistance, stolen vehicle location, and live customer support. However, the Ultimate package comes with the highest monthly subscription cost after your free trial period ends.
The SiriusXM Guardian Select package offers a middle ground with helpful features like remote start, send & go navigation, automatic collision notification, and roadside assistance call. Select has a lower monthly fee than Ultimate.
The SiriusXM Guardian Essential package provides basic services like boundary alerts, speed alerts, and maintenance notifications. It’s the most affordable monthly package.
The great news is that when you buy a new compatible Jeep, you get a free 12-month trial of the SiriusXM Guardian Convenience + Security package. This allows you to experience the key features before deciding whether to continue subscribing.
Once your trial is up, don’t be afraid to negotiate with SiriusXM Guardian for lower ongoing monthly pricing if you do wish to keep the service. Many existing subscribers have reported success getting discounted rates for active subscriptions.
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Pros and Cons
Pros
- Convenience – The remote access features offered through the smartphone/smartwatch app provide a high level of convenience by giving you easy control over your Jeep functions no matter where you are.
- Remote Vehicle Start – Start your car ahead of time so it reaches a comfortable temperature by the time you get in, great for hot or frigid days.
- Remote Door Lock/Unlock – Lock or unlock your doors remotely for added security and peace of mind if you can’t remember securing your Jeep.
- Remote Access – Remotely control lights, horn, navigation and more for flexibility and ease wherever you are.
- Vehicle Locator – Quickly activate lights or horn to easily spot your Jeep in a crowded parking area from your phone.
- Built-In Alexa – Voice control capabilities enable hands-free help with tasks and questions for great accessibility.
- Assistance Features – Get emergency help quickly with SOS call feature or connect to roadside assistance if stranded. Provides security.
- Safety Features – Monitor vehicle location, speed, usage and get alerts so you have oversight to prevent misuse.
Cons
While SiriusXM Guardian has some useful features, there are also some potential downsides to weigh:
- The monthly subscription fee can get quite expensive, especially if you opt for a higher tier package after your free trial ends. You’ll have to decide if the cost is justified.
- With connected technology, there is always the risk of technical issues arising. Features may not work seamlessly at times.
- Many of the remote access features may already be available through your existing key fob or third-party apps. No need to pay for duplicate functionality.
- Privacy concerns exist with any connected service that tracks your vehicle location and usage. Make sure you are comfortable with the data being collected.
- Installation could be complicated if your Jeep model wasn’t built to support SiriusXM Guardian originally. Upfitting an older vehicle may not be straightforward.
- Even after selling your Jeep, you may still receive annoying notifications until you fully deactivate the SiriusXM Guardian system.
Conclusion
Deciding whether SiriusXM Guardian is worth it really comes down to weighing the pros and cons and determining if the features fit your lifestyle. Consider how much you would use and benefit from the remote access, safety alerts and security features. Then determine if the subscription cost after your free trial is reasonable for your budget.
I definitely recommend taking full advantage of the free 12-month trial that comes with new Jeep purchases. Test out all the SiriusXM Guardian capabilities during daily driving for a year. Get familiar with the convenience functions and see if the peace of mind from the safety features is worthwhile.
If you find the service beneficial after your trial, don’t hesitate to negotiate a discounted subscription price. Many existing customers have successfully gotten deals below the standard monthly rates.
Overall the decision comes down to personal preference and driving habits. Try it out for yourself then decide if handy remote features, added security and 24/7 customer support make SiriusXM Guardian a worthy investment for you.
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