Latest Car Subscription Plans in UAE - New Monthly Options That Beat Traditional Ownership

Over the last few years, car subscription has been gaining traction in the UAE. Many youngsters, expats, corporate executives, and even residents are increasingly preferring subscriptions. There are car users who are skipping a new car purchase altogether and instead choosing subscription plans.

Subscription services have grown fast over the last two years, and major players have expanded their fleets. This rapidly growing trend is simple to understand; car subscription instead of ownership offers compelling benefits. No need to pay a hefty down payment, maintenance commitments, or worries about resale value when you leave the country. Just pick a car, pay monthly, and drive. Everything else is handled for you.

But here's what you need to know: subscriptions cost more per month than leasing. So why are people choosing them? Because of the flexibility and convenience they offer. Want to know whether cheaper monthly subscription plans exist than owning a car? We find out which are the monthly plans are available.

Car Subscription Explained 

Subscribing to a car service is different from buying, leasing, or even renting. You’re essentially getting a car for a certain duration on a fixed monthly fee that covers most of your costs, including the car, insurance, maintenance, registration, and roadside assistance. These cars are offered on monthly plans with the flexibility of canceling, swapping cars, or upgrading without penalties.

The real benefit is that you don’t get into a long-term commitment, just paying for your access based on your need without ownership. Your monthly payment covers everything that would otherwise need to be handled separately if you owned the car. Insurance in the UAE can be expensive.

Most services deliver the car to your door. When you want to switch, they pick it up and bring another one. No trips to service centers or dealing with insurance companies.

Popular Cars - Monthly Subscription Rates

Model	Monthly Cost	Provider	Mileage Included	Insurance Type
Mitsubishi Attrage	AED 1,199	Carasti	4,500 km	Basic
Nissan Sunny	AED 1,499	Carasti/eZhire	2,500-4,500 km	Basic/Comprehensive
Hyundai Accent	AED 1,599	Multiple	2,500-4,500 km	Comprehensive
Toyota Corolla	AED 1,999-2,299	Carasti/Invygo	2,500-7,000 km	Comprehensive
Honda Civic	AED 2,199	MOOV	2,500 km	Comprehensive
Toyota Camry	AED 2,499	MOOV/Carasti	2,500-4,500 km	Comprehensive
Hyundai Tucson	AED 2,499-2,799	Multiple	2,500-4,500 km	Comprehensive
Mazda CX-5	AED 2,799	MOOV	2,500 km	Comprehensive
Peugeot 3008	AED 3,199	Invygo	2,500 km	Comprehensive
BMW 3 Series	AED 5,500	Multiple	2,500 km	Premium

Monthly Plans You Can Choose

Here are the currently running plans you can get right now in the UAE. 

Budget-Friendly Options (AED 1,199-1,999/month)

Carasti offers a Mitsubishi Attrage, which starts at a rock-bottom rate of AED 1,199 per month. Also, their compact sedan, Nissan Sunny, is available for AED 1,499 monthly, while the Accent from Hyundai costs around AED 1,599 per month.

Another brand, eZhire, is among the most affordable service providers. You can get a similar compact sedan at AED 200 lower, starting at an inexpensive plan of AED 1,299 monthly. You can get the popular sedan Toyota Yaris on subscription for as low as AED 1,599 per month.

Mid-Range Sedans and SUVs (AED 1,999-2,999/month)

If you wish to go up a bit into a premium sedan or even SUVs, there are attractive prices. The most sought-after Toyota Corolla is available at a price range of AED 1,999 to AED 2,299 monthly through Carasti and Invygo. A premium mid-size SUV, the Hyundai Tucson SUV is offered at a price range of AED 2,499 to AED 2,799 per month.

Another brand, MOOV, is offering the Honda Civic, the premium sedan, at AED 2,199 per month and the Toyota Camry at AED 2,499 per month. Their Mazda CX-5 SUV subscription costs AED 2,799 monthly.

Premium and Luxury (AED 3,500+/month)

In the high-end luxury segment, Invygo's partnership with Peugeot has introduced something exciting. They are offering new models starting at AED 3,199 monthly. MOOV also has Volvo models starting from a very reasonable price of AED 4,500 per month.

The top-class luxury car, BMW 3 Series, starts around AED 5,500, while Mercedes C-Class subscriptions run between AED 6,000 to AED 6,500 per month through various providers.

Mileage Limits

The subscription models run with some basic protocols, and one of them is a limit on how much you can run. Invygo's standard plan has 2,500 km per month, but if you have higher mileage, then they offer upgrades up to 4,500 km. Similarly, Carasti offers more generous limits, between 4,500 to 7,000 km monthly, depending on the plan.

Subscription vs Traditional Ownership

Now, the interesting aspect, so let's compare actual costs to understand what really works better, subscription or ownership. We have been taking the Toyota Corolla as a template, considering it for over one year, one of the UAE's most popular cars.

Car Subscription (Carasti/Invygo)

• Monthly fee: AED 2,099
• Total annual cost: AED 25,188
• Includes: Insurance, maintenance, registration, and roadside assistance
• Upfront: Zero

Leasing

• Down payment: AED 6,000 (15% of AED 40,000 value)
• Monthly lease payment: AED 1,200
• Insurance: AED 3,000 annually
• Maintenance: AED 1,000 annually
• Registration: AED 575 annually
• Total first year: AED 17,775
• Total annually after first year: AED 11,775

Buying with a Bank Loan

• Down payment: AED 12,000 (20% of AED 60,000)
• Monthly loan payment: AED 980 (5-year loan)
• Insurance: AED 3,000 per annum 
• Maintenance: AED 1,000 per annum 
• Registration: AED 575 per annum 
• Fuel and tolls: AED 4,500 per annum 
• Total first year: AED 23,835
• Total annually after first year: AED 11,835

The Verdict

Subscription costs come around AED 25,188 in a year, which is about 42% more than leasing (AED 17,775 first year) and similar to buying with a loan in year one. But the real difference is this. With a subscription, you have the much-needed flexibility to walk away anytime, if your situation changes and you don’t need the car anymore.  With leasing, you're locked in for 2-3 years. With buying, you shell out upfront cost and then have to deal with depreciation when selling, not to mention the maintenance cost, which is substantial. 

Top car subscription service providers in the UAE

Subscription costs come around AED 25,188 in a year, which is about 42% more than leasing (AED 17,775 first year) and similar to buying with a loan in year one. But the real difference is this. With a subscription, you have the much-needed flexibility to walk away anytime if your situation changes and you don’t need the car anymore.  With leasing, you're locked in for 2-3 years. With buying, you shell out upfront cost and then have to deal with depreciation when selling, not to mention the maintenance cost, which is substantial.

• Carasti is known for its month-to-month plans without deposits, which is a huge deal. The plans start as low as AED 1,199 for economy cars. They are present in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, and also offer door-to-door service. You don’t have to go anywhere; the car comes to you.
• MOOV by Al-Futtaim is backed by the UAE's largest automotive group. To avail their service, you need a security deposit of AED 1,500, refundable at the time of termination. Additional drivers cost AED 150 per month after the first free one.
• Invygo has recently joined hands with automaker Peugeot Middle East. This is the first of its kind tie-up in the UAE, where a major car brand has decided to directly enter the subscription segment of the market. Interestingly, you can get a variety of options, including plans from one week to nine months, and they accept international driving licenses, for many plans depending on Emirate and insurance rules, so expats may be eligible in most cases.
• eZhire caters to the affordable segment, well-known for its budget-friendly options with no deposits. Everything happens through their app.
• Subscribe Me, part of AW Rostamani Group, is a new entrant and has just launched its weekly plans alongside monthly options. They ask for deposits but have a wide variety of choices ranging from economy to luxury segments.
• Swapp is another option at affordable pricing with no upfront deposits. You choose between basic and comprehensive insurance. With seven days' notice, you can cancel or exchange vehicles.

What's Included vs What You Pay

Included in Your Monthly Fee:

• The car itself
• Comprehensive or basic insurance 
• Vehicle registration and RTA fees
• Regular maintenance and servicing
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Delivery and pickup

You Still Pay For:

• Fuel 
• Salik toll charges 
• Traffic fines, if any. 
• Parking fees
• Accident excess if you damage the car

Who Should Choose Subscription	Who Should Avoid Subscription
Expats on Short Contracts	Long-Term Residents
People Who Want Different Cars	High-Mileage Drivers
Those Who Hate Maintenance	Equity Builders
New Residents	Cost-Conscious Long-Haul
Budget-Conscious Without Savings

Always Watch Out For

Excess Liability: You pay the first AED 1,500 of any damage, even with comprehensive insurance.

Cancellation: Most plans need 7-14 days' notice. Immediate cancellation might mean paying another month.

Geographic Limits: Driving to Oman requires written permission first.

Smoking Penalties: Strictly prohibited. Get caught and you may face AED 500+ penalties.

Additional Driver Fees: First driver often free, but additional drivers cost AED 150 monthly each.

Conclusion

The car subscription market has become vibrant in the Emirates as more people are finding them appealing. Given the dynamic automotive market with a mixed population, car ownership does not necessarily work for everyone; instead, subscription is a great choice. Its major attraction is the flexibility over long-term savings, which works for certain types of car users, making the model popular and viable, even if it may look costly for some. If you’re looking for an affordable car on subscription, there are plenty of choices in the market.

Related Articles:

• Latest Car Subscription Services in UAE Compared
• Latest Rental vs Subscription Guide in UAE - New Ways to Save on Monthly Car Costs