Aah, nothing beats that new-car smell. There’s something special about those first few months driving your brand-new vehicle. Everything is in pristine condition. You get to explore the latest features. And you get a feel for its true performance capabilities. If you often yearn for this sensation, then you might fall in love with the concept of Care by Volvo – a car subscription service.

Stress is a big factor that comes into play when shopping for a new car. Now, you don’t have to worry about making a big commitment to the wrong contender with Care by Volvo. Now, you’ll be able to switch out your vehicle on a quarterly basis, testing all the newest models and features to your heart’s desire. 

Volvo’s program seems too good to be true, right? When something sounds as sweet as this, there is often a catch. Well, for some, the price tag of this service may just raise a few eyebrows, but considering what you’re getting, it may be an even trade. 

Let’s take a closer look at the groundbreaking Care by Volvo subscription service and discover whether this incredibly enticing option is worth the hefty price tag. 

How does a car subscription service work?

Care by Volvo isn’t exactly a new service, as it was first announced in November 2017 as a 24-month vehicle swap service for the XC40. Since then, the Swedish manufacturer adjusted the exchange time to 12 months. Now, Care by Volvo is more consumer-friendly than ever before.

Volvo recently announced via a press release that subscribers will now be able to switch out their vehicle every four months.

“Care by Volvo has been very popular in bringing new people into the Volvo brand,” said Peter Wexler, Head of Care by Volvo, via the press release. “By offering our customers flexibility alongside insurance, tire protection, maintenance, and other services, we believe Care by Volvo is the most flexible all-inclusive option available when it comes to car ownership.”

Those who participate in Volvo’s car subscription service won’t have access to the luxury manufacturer’s entire lineup. Currently, four models are eligible – the Volvo S60 sedan, Volvo XC40 subcompact SUV, Volvo XC60 compact SUV, and Volvo XC90 midsize SUV.

Pricing ranges between $650-750/month, but this charge includes maintenance and insurance costs. As of the time of this writing, only one trim level is available for each model, but you are able to select your desired exterior and interior colors.

Is Care by Volvo like a car lease?

You no longer have to only choose between financing and leasing. A car subscription service is essentially a progressive alternative to both. However, Care by Volvo is not intended for frugal shoppers. It won’t save you any money in the long run, as it can cost upward of $200 extra per month than a car lease of a similarly equipped model would. But it is undoubtedly a more fun option.

Many drivers prefer the flexibility of a car lease since they’ll typically only have the vehicle between two and four years. Meanwhile, many low-cost lease deals can be restricting. For instance, low-milage car leases will make you think twice every time you drive more than a couple of blocks away from your house.

Care by Volvo offers many of the same benefits of leasing, but without as much restriction. It provides a monthly allowance of 1,250 miles, which adds up to 15,000 miles for the year. And if you don’t like a particular model, or just want to switch from a sedan to an SUV for the winter, then you’ll have the freedom to do so. Plus, you can cancel the car subscription service after four months if you find that it’s not for you.

Is Care by Volvo worth the cost? 

Those who don’t mind spending a couple of extra thousand dollars per year will greatly benefit from the added flexibility and fun of Volvo’s car subscription service. But needless to say, this deal is not for everyone.