Care By Volvo (2023 Review): The Future Of Car Leasing?
Design the car you like online, pay a monthly subscription, and get it delivered. Sounds fancy? It’s real. That’s what Care by Volvo is. Like Netflix, but for cars. Is this the future of car leasing?
Compared to traditional car leases, where you need to commit to 36 months or so, Care by Volvo innovates, bringing nearly instant subscription times. With a 3-month cancellation notice and an all-inclusive service that covers usage of the vehicle, maintenance, and insurance coverage, it becomes an appealing alternative for people who wants to keep their car refreshed with the latest models or live in multiple locations for months at a time.
Right now, the packages are slightly more expensive than a traditional lease (roughly 10%), but flexibility is key. You can return the car sooner, pick your own model, and even travel with your pets. In this post, we cover everything you need to know about the Care by Volvo subscription packages.
What is Care By Volvo?
Volvo’s subscription service, Care by Volvo, allows customers to subscribe to various new Volvo models for a monthly payment, simplifying car ownership and offering additional benefits. Similar to a mobile phone contract, most costs are combined into one. The subscription covers a new car, free servicing, wear-and-tear repairs, road tax, and car MOT renewal.
Compared to a traditional car lease, Care by Volvo offers shorter commitment terms, as you can cancel your subscription and return the vehicle any time after your 5th scheduled payment.
What’s included?
A Care by Volvo subscription includes the following:
1. Change of car
Whether your situation changes or you simply want a different model, you can request a car swap with just 3 months’ notice, as long as you pass a new credit check. The option to change cars only applies to our flexible subscription with a 3-month notice period, not the one with a fixed commitment period of 36 months.
2. Service and maintenance
The subscription includes inspection, scheduled service, and maintenance. Just contact your Volvo dealer as soon as you receive a message in the car or via the Volvo Cars app that it is time for service.
3. Full insurance
The subscription includes comprehensive insurance, which includes traffic insurance, semi-insurance, rental car, and carriage damage guarantee (with reduced deductible). The deductible varies depending on the type of insurance case. In the case of damage covered by the car’s carriage damage guarantee, the deductible is reduced by 3.000 SEK.
4. Tires
More and more of our car models now come with Recharge tires approved for year-round use. You can see if the car has Recharge tires by viewing all functions when you proceed with the selected car on the website. Other models are delivered with summer tires. Separate winter tires (incl. wheel change and tire hotel) are included for all models, and you choose whether you want studded or friction tires. The rims on the winter tires may differ in size and appearance from those originally selected when ordering the car.
5. Warranty
Your car comes with a warranty for the entire time you subscribe. If you choose a fully electric model, the battery is also covered.
6. Inspection
All statutory car inspections are included in the subscription.
7. Replacement car
During workshop visits, you can get access to a replacement car (based on need and availability).
8. Volvo on Demand Premium Plan
With a subscription from Care by Volvo, 1 year’s Premium membership to our car-sharing service On Demand is also included. As a Premium customer, you get a lower hourly rate. Book and unlock your car in the Volvo On Demand app, jump in, and drive.
9. Normal wear
At every scheduled service, we take care to replace or repair worn parts, as long as it is normal wear and tear.
10. 24/7 road assistance
If you have an accident, puncture, or the car breaks down, you only need to press the car’s Volvo On Call assistance button to summon roadside assistance. If we cannot help you on-site, we will tow the car to a Volvo workshop.
Dedicated customer service
As a valued Care by Volvo customer, you are always welcome to contact us. Our advisors are available by phone, email, and chat Mon-Fri 08:00-20 and Sat-Sun 09:00-18:00.
How much does a Care by Volvo Subscription cost?
The Care by Volvo subscription cost depends on the model, but here are some examples compared to a traditional 36-month lease.
| Model | Care by Volvo cost (per month) 3-month notice | Lease cost (per month) 36-months commitment |
|---|---|---|
| V60 | 7790 SEK | 6890 SEK |
| V60 Cross Country | 8590 SEK | 7690 SEK |
| V90 | 7990 SEK | 7190 SEK |
| XC40 | 6390 SEK | 5590 SEK |
| XC60 | 8590 SEK | 7690 SEK |
| XC90 | 11690 SEK | 10490 SEK |
| V60 Recharge | 9190 SEK | 8290 SEK |
| XC90 Recharge | 12490 SEK | 11290 SEK |
| C40 Recharge | 9290 SEK | 7790 SEK |
| XC40 Recharge | 9290 SEK | 7790 SEK |
| Volvo EX90 | 17395 SEK | 14995 SEK |
As you can see, the difference against a traditional car lease lies between 10% and 16% depending on the model. While the subscription is more expensive, it also brings flexibility never seen before with a comprehensive worry-free package
What Volvo models can you choose?
In Sweden and Norway, there are plenty of models to choose from, including the fully electric EX90, XC40 Recharge, C40 Recharge, XC90 Recharge, XC60 Recharge, V60 Recharge, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, XC90, and more.
How do you subscribe?
You start the subscription online, whenever and wherever – with a fixed monthly fee and without committing yourself for longer than a maximum of 3 months.
Where can I go for a test drive?
Volvo is offering test drives of fully electric cars in downtown Stockholm and Oslo.
Temporary car from Hertz
While you are waiting for your subscription car from Care by Volo, you are offered the opportunity to rent a car from Hertz at a favorable price. After receiving your confirmation email, you can reach out to their customer service to get started. They guide you through the entire process and help you get a temporary car through Hertz.
The delivery time is usually within one month after you order the car through Hertz. Range and delivery time may vary due to the high demand for rental cars. The Hertz rental car must be returned on the date you have agreed on, and which appears in the rental contract. If your subscription car from Care by Volvo is delayed, you will have the option to extend the rental of the rental car, at the same price as before. The rental car can be returned to your Volvo dealer.
Bonus: Care by Volvo Summary by ChatGPT
Care by Volvo is a subscription service offered by Volvo, the Swedish automaker, that allows customers to have access to a new Volvo vehicle without owning it outright. Here are some key points to know about Care by Volvo:
- Subscription-based model: Instead of buying or leasing a vehicle, Care by Volvo allows customers to pay a monthly fee for a fixed term, typically 24 months, which covers the cost of the vehicle, insurance, maintenance, and other services. The fee varies depending on the model and options selected.
- All-inclusive: The subscription includes everything you need to drive the vehicle, including insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. There are no hidden fees or charges beyond the monthly subscription cost.
- Flexibility: Care by Volvo offers some flexibility for customers, including the ability to change to a different vehicle after 12 months, the option to customize the vehicle with different packages, and the ability to pause or cancel the subscription after the first year.
- Available models: Currently, Care by Volvo offers several models, including the XC40 compact SUV, the XC60 midsize SUV, the XC90 full-size SUV, and the S60 luxury sedan.
- Convenience: The service is designed to be convenient for customers. The subscription process can be completed online, and the vehicle is delivered to the customer’s preferred location.
- Geographic limitations: Care by Volvo is currently only available in select regions and countries, so availability may be limited depending on where you live.
Overall, Care by Volvo is an innovative alternative to traditional vehicle ownership that offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity. However, it may not be the best fit for everyone, so it’s important to evaluate your needs and budget before signing up.
Care By Volvo: Conclusion
Getting a car has always been a complex process. Either you rent, or you own. Renting is expensive in the long run when you do the math. However, when you want to purchase a car but don’t have the money, the options are a bank loan or a car lease. Traditional leases typically mean a commitment of at least 3 years. Hence, it is more suited for established people who can stick around to the same area for a while, or want to stick to the same car model.
Care by Volvo came to change the car lease industry. It’s like Netflix, but for cars. It offers an all-inclusive flexible subscription program where you get not only the vehicle, but also maintenance, tires, insurance, and even a Volvo on-demand premium plan.
With only a 3-month cancellation notice, the flexibility that the subscription provides is key to refreshing your car as soon as you want a new model. It is also a perfect fit for mid-term stays between 6 and 36 months. Professionals, executives, researchers, ex-pats, you name it, there is a large cohort that might want to own a car, but up until now, the conditions on the traditional car leases didn’t make it possible.
Overall, Care by Volvo is a fantastic proposal, simplifying paperwork and improving the conditions for the end-user. It will undoubtedly change the business models in the industry, just like Tesla did in the US, and I’m looking forward to seeing future shifts.
