My Subaru supports remote start if you pay for the upgraded Starlink plan but if you want to do it from the keyfob, you have to buy some module and carry around an extra keyfob solely dedicated to remote start. It's a little ridiculous. They could have easily just made remote start something where you click and hold a button or whatever like any other car with that feature on the fob.
I'm not sure which model you have, but I don't think that's true. I think instead it's that unless you pay for the remote start upgrade (which as you say includes the extra fob) you can't start your car using the normal keyfob. But if you have the upgrade, you can also use the keyfob if you are close enough. At least, that's how it works for our 2018 Outback.
I think I've only used the dedicated remote start fob a couple times to test it, but I use the keyfob for remote starting frequently. If you want to try, here are some 3rd party instructions for which buttons to press to make it work: https://www.wheelsjoint.com/how-to-remote-start-subaru-outba...
Thanks, I wasn't entirely sure how it worked. I kept seeing instructions online for which buttons to press to do a remote start from the keyfob but nothing mentioned the required add-ons to make it work. I ended up just paying for the Starlink subscription at least for the cold months. I was hoping my Ascent would do an all windows roll down from the fob like some other cars I've had in the past but looks like it doesn't support that either. I plan to have this car for a long time so I may just invest in the remote start package or a competing product just to have the air running prior to getting in. Black exterior and interior was our only option so I'm not excited about summer.
