Several automakers now offer subscription services for their cars

Several car manufacturers are now offering cars by subscription. Volvo, Porsche, and Cadillac are among the brands now offering luxury cars via a subscription service.

Volvo

Volvo is offering subscription models starting with the new XC40 compact SUV. Subscriptions will start at $600 per month over a two year contract.

The program is called Care By Volvo and will begin next year. The monthly price is inclusive with the except for taxes, registration fee, and gas of course.

The XC40 has many features including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, 19 inch wheels and a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. It also has advanced technology including, collision avoidance assistance and adaptive cruise control.

The full list including 24 hour customer service, roadside assistance and factory scheduled maintenance can be found here.

For $700 per month you can get the R-Design with added features such as 20 inch wheels and a Harman Kardon sound system.

12 months into your subscription you can trade your XC40 in for a new model but this triggers a new 2-year contract.

You wont have the option of buying the car outright at the end of the contract.

Cadillac

Book by Cadillac is a more expensive $1500 a month service but with no contract requirement. Cadillac says that it will eliminate the hassle that comes with owning a vehicle.

The service allows a subscriber to drive any vehicle they want and swap it for another one whenever they want.

The service allows subscribers access to an app that allows you to swap between current year Cadillacs including the XT5, CT6, Escalade and V series without needing to pay any extra charge for registration, insurance, or maintenance. This is all part of the monthly fee.

High-end Cadillacs start leasing at around $750 but that is before insurance, maintenance and signing costs. The subscription could be a good deal for those who do not want a long term contract and it is all inclusive.

Cadillac is starting the service in New York metro area before expanding to other areas. The appended video describes the service.

Porsche

The Porsche Passport service is the most expensive of the three, with a $500 activation fee, and then starting at $2,000 per month.

The company describes their plan as a "white glove" service. It caters to customers who want to experience Porsche's different sports cars. They will have access to different Porches on a flexible schedule.

The service will start in November in Atlanta Georgia. After feedback from Atlanta customers the company will decide whether it wants to expand.

There is a more expensive $3,000 per month plan that allows access to even more Porsche models 22 in all and includes the Cayenne E-Hybrid.

The Porsche Passport service includes vehicle tax, registration, insurance, maintenance and detailing. For Porsche customers with plenty of cash who want to drive different models the Passport may be worth having.

Audi, Ford, and others are now offering these types of services.

Previously published in Digital Journal