Back in September, Volvo announced that it was planning to start offering a subscription model service for its cars by starting with the new XC40 compact SUV. At the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, Volvo finally gave all the juicy details we’ve been waiting for regarding the car subscription service. Starting at $600 per month and a two-year contract, you can take part in the company’s car subscription service. This model is essentially like how you would buy a smartphone.
The program, Care By Volvo, will start in 2018. If you’re wondering if the $600 per month charge includes everything such as registration fees, gas, and taxes, then yes, the charge does include everything. With the car subscription service, here’s what you get:
- All-wheel drive XC40 with a turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic roof, 19-inch wheels, trimmed with Volvo’s “Premium” and “Vision” packages, which includes features like lane keep aid, collision avoidance assistance, and adaptive cruise control. If you’re interested in seeing the full list, you can see it here.
- Factory scheduled maintenance
- Tire and wheel damage protection
- “Wear and tear replacements” on things such as brakes and windshield wipers (if you drive less than 15,000 miles per year)
- 24-hour customer service with roadside assistance included
- Premium personal insurance provided by Liberty Mutual. It’s worth noting that there’s a $500 deductible, and it comes with “$250,000 bodily injury protection per person and $500,000 bodily injury coverage per accident.”
Apart from the $600 per month subscription, Volvo is also offering a $700 per month option that includes the higher-spec’d R-Design version of the XC40. It comes with 20-inch wheels and Harman Kardon sound system. Both models will be available to view in Volvo’s showrooms in 2018.
Much like other subscription services, Care By Volvo subscribers will have the option to trade in their XC40 SUV for a new model every 12 months, which at that point will trigger a new 24-month contract that you will have to sign. Right now, all we know is that the XC40 SUV is taking part in the program and we don’t have details on what other models the company will be bringing into the program in the future. It’s also worth noting that unlike a lease, you won’t be able to buy the car outright at the end of your contract. Perhaps they may think to bring in the XC90 model that Uber is using for their future fleet?
