Monthly renting a car instead of leasing - car subscription vs. leasing

These days, you don't have to own a car to drive one. Subscription services like Netflix and Spotify are demonstrating how we will use media and many other everyday products such as cars in the future.

Who is still willing to spend a lot of money on buying a car when they can simply rent one on a monthly basis?

One option is car leasing. Here you choose a car for two to three years and can drive it for a monthly amount. However, there are often hidden additional costs that can lead to costly surprises.

Rent a car instead of leasing - The car subscription

An innovative and even more flexible approach is the car subscription, which has become increasingly popular in recent years. Compared to leasing, the monthly price of a car subscription also includes the ancillary costs. Just imagine a kind of car all-inclusive leasing - a flat rate for your car.

With a car subscription, the terms and cancellation periods are much shorter compared to leasing, so you can rent your car on a monthly basis without being tied to a long-term leasing contract.

In a way, a car subscription fills the gap between a rental car and a leased car. You have the option to rent a car flexibly adapted to your needs but retain full cost control and can also cancel at short notice or change your car.

So, there are many reasons for a car subscription, if you need a car but do not want the high acquisition costs. In some cases, however, leasing may make more sense for you.

To help you decide whether a car subscription or leasing is better for you, we have compared the most important advantages and disadvantages of leasing with those of a car subscription.

Leasing advantages and disadvantages

A car subscription is a type of long-term vehicle rental, a bit like leasing including insurance, taxes, maintenance, etc. The rental and additional costs are all included in the monthly rate.

A car subscription is particularly interesting if short terms and the possibility to change the car flexibly are important for you.

The costs for the following services are already included in the vehicle subscription:

• Registration

• Car tax

• Comprehensive insurance

• Maintenance (incl. tires)

Car subscription advantages and disadvantages

As exciting as a car subscription is, there are of course disadvantages. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a car subscription at a glance.

Car subscription advantages:

• Maximum selection of cars - Suitable options for every budget.

• Ultimate flexibility and freedom - Short terms and easy car switching possibilities

• Easy and stress-free – Hassle-free driving and no paperwork, as you can do it online or via app

• Fast delivery – You’ll get your car within a week

Disadvantages car subscription:

• Preset models - No individual configuration possible

• Fuel costs - You have to pay for fuel yourself

• Minimum age - Some providers require a minimum age of 21 or 23 years

Carefree driving and the great flexibility are clearly the biggest advantages of car subscriptions. All costs are already included, and you only pay for fuel.

Shorter terms compared to leasingmake it possible for you to drive a car only in winter or to adapt your car to your needs if something changes in your life.

With a car subscription, you could, for example, drive a different car every season or switch from a small car to a family car when the next generation arrives.

From SUVs to convertibles to sports cars, everything is possible.

Since the cars are readily available, you can't customize them, which could be a disadvantage for some. If you're under 21, you might also have a hard time with some car subscription providers. Otherwise, a car subscription is a great option for your flexible mobility.

Is a car subscription or a lease more worthwhile?

Whether a car subscription is more worthwhile for you than leasing a car depends on a few factors.

A car subscription is worthwhile for you if you drive between 8,000 km - 15,000 km per year and want to drive stress-free for the next months or years. You don't have to worry about anything other than refueling - maintenance, insurance, etc. are all included.

Maybe you just want to drive different cars and try them out. Then you can easily test and enjoy a new car every few months with a car subscription. We encourage you to visit our online car selection to see the enticing offers available on Audi, Skoda, and Hyundai vehicles for yourself.

If you need a car for a longer period and it is not important to you to be able to change your car flexibly, then a car leasing could be worthwhile for you. However, this involves a lot more paperwork and you have to commit to a model for two to four years.

You know best which aspects are for you. We are happy to help you with all topics concerning car subscriptions at [email protected].

CARIFY is your partner for flexible mobility. Start your car subscription today.

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