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

Many people in the UAE want to use a car for business, personal, or family purposes without actually owning it. For such a car user, there are two primary options available: either you can rent or subscribe. However, what is the best option: rent monthly or subscribe? Both offer a vehicle for a fixed duration without owning it; you avoid paying a high down payment and don’t get into a long-term commitment of ownership, and the cost of maintenance. 

Both options have been gaining momentum in the Emirates, as more people opt for flexibility. Renting a car every month has been around for years, while subscription is a relatively newer concept. Each one serves a different purpose. 

Not sure which suits you better, or want to know which one saves the most money? Here is our guide with detailed breakdowns of both options and their real price in 2025. Read this guide to understand exactly what you will pay, what is included, and which option saves you money depending on how long you need the car.

The Key Difference

Feature	Rental	Subscription
Rental Duration	30 days per contract, max 3-6 months	No maximum term, continue indefinitely
Car Usage	Same car throughout the rental period	Can swap cars every 30 days
Payment	Monthly payment	Monthly payment
Delivery	The Car was delivered to you	The car was delivered to you
Paperwork	Handled for you	Handled for you
Additional Services	Limited	Bundles more services in a monthly fee

Monthly Rental Costs

There are many services and plans available that you can choose based on your needs

Budget Economy Cars: AED 1,200-1,500

The compact sedan Kia Pegas starts at AED 1,200 monthly, with 3,000 kilometers included. The Nissan Sunny costs about AED 1,300 per month through various rental companies. These rates include basic insurance with around AED 1,500 excess.

Mid-Range Sedans: AED 1,800-2,200

You will get a Toyota Corolla for AED 1,800-2,000 monthly and a Honda Civic for about AED 2,000 per month. These prices include comprehensive insurance with mileage limits in a range of 3,000–4,000 km.

SUVs: AED 2,200-3,500

SUVs are the flavor of the nation, and a Geely GX3 Pro costs AED 1,500 with 3,000 km, a Renault Koleos runs AED 2,200-2,400, and a Peugeot 3008 costs AED 2,599 monthly through special promotions. 

While the bigger ones, like the Nissan Patrol and Toyota Fortuner, the desert driving favorites, cost between AED 3,000 and 3,500 a month. 

What's Included in Rental:

• The vehicle
• Basic or comprehensive insurance
• Limited roadside assistance
• Registration fees

What You Pay Extra:

• Fuel
• Salik tolls 
• Traffic fines 
• GPS rental 
• Additional drivers 
• Child seats 
• Mileage overages 
• Delivery fees 

What Subscription Actually Costs

There is not much difference between subscription and renting. In this case, you pay more upfront but avoid most surprise charges.

Economy Options: AED 1,199-1,599

Mitsubishi Attrage starts as low as AED 1,199, while Nissan Sunny subscriptions run AED 1,499. Here, too, comprehensive insurance and maintenance are included, although you get higher mileage limits up to 4,500 km monthly.

Popular Mid-Range: AED 1,999-2,499

The Toyota Corolla could cost AED 1,999-2,299, while the Honda Civic subscriptions run AED 2,199, and the Camry goes for AED 2,499 per month.

SUVs 

SUVs are popular, and if you choose one, like the premium mid-size Hyundai Tucson, it will cost AED 2,499-2,799. The Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, is AED 2,799. The Peugeot 3008 costs AED 3,199 monthly through Invygo's manufacturer partnership.

Luxury Options 

If you want a luxury option, the BMW 3 Series subscriptions start around AED 5,500 monthly. The Mercedes C-Class runs AED 6,000–6,500 per month through various providers.

What's Included in Subscription:

• The vehicle
• Comprehensive insurance
• All scheduled maintenance
• Tire replacements
• Registration and renewal
• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Free replacement car during service
• Delivery and pickup
• Car swaps

What You Still Pay:

• Fuel or EV charging
• Salik tolls 
• Traffic fines 
• Parking fees
• Accident excess 

Cost Breakdown - 12 Month Comparison

Expense Category	Monthly Rental	Subscription	Your Saving/Cost
Base monthly payment	AED 1,900	AED 2,199	Rental saves AED 299/mo
GPS & extras	AED 40	Included	Subscription saves AED 40/mo
Maintenance (oil, tires)	AED 150 (your responsibility)	Included	Subscription saves AED 150/mo
Additional driver	AED 150	Free (first driver)	Subscription saves AED 150/mo
Mileage overage (500 km/mo)	AED 375	Included (up to 4,500 km)	Subscription saves AED 375/mo
Service replacement car	AED 200 (2 days/year)	Included	Subscription saves AED 17/mo
Effective Monthly Cost	AED 2,815	AED 2,199	Subscription saves AED 616/mo
12-Month Total	AED 33,780	AED 26,388	Subscription saves AED 7,392

Direct Cost Comparison

Here is a direct comparison between the two options, taking the most popular sedan Toyota Corolla, for 6 months with real cost. 

Monthly Rental (Hertz/Thrifty)

• Monthly rate: AED 1,900
• GPS rental: AED 40/month
• Additional driver: AED 150/month
• Delivery fees: AED 100 (initial only)
• Fuel: AED 400/month
• Tolls and admin: AED 150/month
• Monthly total: AED 2,640
• 6-month total: AED 15,940

Subscription (Carasti/Invygo)

• Monthly subscription: AED 2,199
• Fuel: AED 400/month
• Tolls and admin: AED 150/month
• Monthly total: AED 2,749
• 6-month total: AED 16,494

Subscription costs AED 554 more over six months, about 3.5% higher. But you get maintenance included, can swap cars monthly, and have no mileage overages if you stay under 4,500 km monthly.

Rental Works Best For

Short-Term Needs 

If you only need a car for a couple of months, a rental is the best choice, as it comes with lower monthly rates. Renting saves you money when you don't commit to a long-term contract.

Specific Car Requirements

If you need an exact car, let's say a Nissan Patrol for desert driving, then a rental allows you that.

Low Mileage Usage

If you drive less than 3,000 km monthly, basic service work is for you. Rental could be cheaper by at least AED 300-500 monthly.

Subscription Works Best For

Medium to Long-Term

If you’re staying in the UAE for a year or two and want a car for your entire duration. Then a subscription's bundled services are more suitable even if the monthly cost is slightly higher. There are no hidden maintenance bills.

High-Mileage Drivers

If your monthly usage exceeds 3,500-5,000 km, you will benefit from higher mileage allowances. In this scenario, too. Subscriptions' higher mileage allowances save you from costly overage fees that rental charges incur.

Those of you Who Want Variety

Want to try different cars? A subscription lets you swap every month. Drive a sedan, then switch to an SUV for a desert trip.

Hassle-Free Preference

If you don’t want to think about service appointments or insurance renewals, then a subscription handles everything with one payment.

Expats on Limited Contracts

Anyone looking for a 2- to 3-year contract will find a subscription's flexibility more suitable than renting or leasing without the commitment of ownership.

Top Service Providers in the UAE with Features

Provider	Type	Minimum Term	Mileage/Month	Swap Frequency	Deposit	Add'l Driver Cost
Hertz	Rental	1 month	4,000 km	same car	Varies	AED 150
Thrifty	Rental	1 month	3,000 km	same car	Varies	AED 100-150
Budget	Rental	1 month	3,000 km	same car	Varies	AED 150
Carasti	Subscription	1 month	4,500-7,000 km	Monthly	None	Free (1st)
MOOV	Subscription	1 month	2,500 km	Monthly	AED 1,500 at exit	Free (1st)
Invygo	Subscription	1 week	2,500 km	After month 1	None	AED 150
Subscribe Me	Subscription	1 week	Varies	Varies	Yes	Varies
Swapp	Subscription	1 month	Varies	7-day notice	None	Free (promotions)

Conclusion

The rental and subscription are unique concepts for choosing a car for a limited duration at a reasonable price. Both are designed for different purposes, serve a variety of needs, and come with distinctive advantages. Every car user looks for options that are distinctive to his/her needs, at their cost. 

Looking at them a little more closely, it turns out that monthly rentals win for short-term needs under three months. While subscription makes sense for six months or longer, especially if you drive more than the average kilometers every month, since maintenance and mileage flexibility offset the higher fee. 

Therefore, the right option actually depends on your needs and driving pattern, not just on the budget.