According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average vehicle costs its owner approximately $9,576 per year to own and operate. That number includes an average spend of $1,968 on gasoline and motor oil expenses and another $3,554 in other vehicle-related costs. Sounds like a lot of money, Right? That is unless you buy a new Toyota with ToyotaCare.

What is ToyotaCare?

ToyotaCare comes standard on all new Toyota models. Whether you opt for a sedan like the 2020 Camry or a brawny pickup such as the Toyota Tacoma, ToyotaCare is included.

What exactly is ToyotaCare, you may be asking. Well, this maintenance plan covers normal factory scheduled service for 2-years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Not only are engine oil and filter changes covered by ToyotaCare, but so are maintenance services like tire rotations and multi-point inspections.

ToyotaCare covers more than maintenance too. It also includes 24-hour roadside assistance for 2-years and unlimited mileage. Services like battery jumps, emergency fuel delivery, tire services, and towing to the nearest Toyota dealership are all included.

How much does ToyotaCare cost?

This is the great part about ToyotaCare. It doesn’t cost anything. 

If you buy a new Toyota, ToyotaCare comes standard. It doesn’t require a costly upgrade to a higher trim level, and it doesn’t require a monthly subscription fee. Instead, it’s included in the cost of your new Toyota.

Keep in mind, though, that Toyota does also offer ToyotaCare Plus. Unlike ToyotaCare, ToyotaCare Plus does come at a cost. However, it does cover factory-recommended maintenance for your 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, and 45,000-mile services. It also extends roadside assistance coverage to 4 years and unlimited miles. 

To take advantage of ToyotaCare Plus, a vehicle must qualify for it. According to Toyota, that means your vehicle must have 31,000-miles or less on it and be within 37 months of the date you first used it.

ToyotaCare vs. the competition

Toyota is just one of many automakers that include complimentary maintenance in the price of a new car. However, like Toyota, many of these complimentary maintenance programs do have time and mileage limitations. 

If you’re shopping the Toyota lineup, you might also be considering vehicles from Hyundai, Ram, or Subaru. According to Kelley Blue Book, all offer complimentary maintenance, but at varying levels.

Hyundai, for instance, covers 3-years of maintenance on all 2020 models. It also covers regularly scheduled maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. Ram, on the other hand, includes a 2-year membership that covers four oil changes and four tire rotations. It’s only available on select Ram vehicles, though.

Subaru’s Maintain the Love program is also worth a mention. According to Kelley Blue Book, this particular program is only available in certain regions but does include complimentary scheduled maintenance for 2-years/24,000-miles.

Does ToyotaCare make buying a new car worth it?

Regularly scheduled maintenance is the key to your car’s longevity. According to U.S. News & World Report, forgoing maintenance services like oil changes can result in corrosion and sludge buildup. In the end, if you want to keep your car in good condition, maintaining it is an absolute necessity.

Fortunately, with ToyotaCare, keeping up on your vehicle’s maintenance isn’t so difficult. With regularly scheduled maintenance already covered, there’s no need to skip out on maintenance. Further consider that ToyotaCare also includes roadside assistance, and buying a new Toyota is worth it.