Carvolution Kassensturz: Car Subscription, Leasing or Purchase? The Big Cost Check

19 December 2025

The SRF Kassensturz investigated car subscriptions, leasing and purchase. However, due to differing contract durations, the results did not reflect a realistic cost comparison. A car subscription is the most flexible and transparent option, often cheaper than equivalent leasing (Carvolution Best Price Guarantee). A car purchase only makes financial sense for very long ownership periods (8+ years). Since an increasing number of car subscription customers also purchase the car after the subscription, the subscription has become the easiest entry into the used car market for many.

SRF Kassensturz – Analysis: How much does a car subscription or leasing cost?

In the Kassensturz format, SRF examined various offers from car subscription providers alongside leasing and purchase in December 2021. This article takes a closer look at the report. Additionally, it highlights the fundamental differences between purchase, leasing and car subscriptions, so you can make an informed decision for your needs and lifestyle.

The Kassensturz report compared different car subscription and leasing offers. A detailed analysis is important: for car subscriptions, a minimum duration of 12 months was generally assumed, whereas leasing was calculated over 4 years.

It is important to know that contract duration has a significant impact on monthly costs. For example, someone who changes their car every 12 months will always pay more than someone who uses the same car for 4 years – whether via car subscription or leasing.

Although leasing included additional costs for insurance, tyres and other operating expenses, a more accurate cost comparison would have used a 4-year duration for car subscriptions as well. Due to the differing contract durations in Kassensturz, the report unfortunately did not provide a realistic comparison of leasing and car subscription costs.

How to correctly calculate car costs? (3 Tips)

A solid cost analysis is key to making the right decision. Here are three tips to evaluate car costs for car subscriptions and leasing correctly:

Tip 1: Choose uniform contract durations
For a meaningful cost comparison, use the same minimum duration. For example, consider 36 or 48 months, consistently for both car subscriptions and leasing.
Tip 2: Use a total cost calculator
For all Carvolution cars, you can use a total cost calculator for leasing. This way, you know exactly how much the same model costs under car subscription and leasing.
Tip 3: Use the Best Price Guarantee
With Carvolution’s Best Price Guarantee, we ensure that a car subscription is cheaper than an equivalent leasing. If your leasing offer, including all operating costs, is lower than the subscription cost, we will reduce our price. This ensures that your car subscription is always the most economical option.

Car Subscription vs Leasing: Key Differences

Beyond just price, car subscriptions differ from leasing in several ways. Essentially, it’s all-inclusive comfort versus personal responsibility.

Monthly price includes

Everything: insurance, taxes, service, maintenance, tyres

Only the use of the car

Cost risk

Only fuel/charging, parking, fines, insurance deductible

Insurance, deductibles, taxes, service, tyres, repairs, fuel/charging, parking, fines

Flexibility

High (duration 3–48 months, adjustable mileage via app)

Low (fixed duration, rigid mileage packages)

Kostenrisiko

Low (fixed monthly price, no unexpected costs)

High (unexpected repairs, depreciation risk)

With Carvolution, you benefit from an all-inclusive car subscription. This means that in addition to the car, insurance, taxes, registration, service, maintenance and tyres are already included. Leasing, on the other hand, is essentially a long-term rental, where you pay only for the use of the car and handle all additional costs yourself.

Carvolution Best Price Guarantee: Cheaper than Leasing

Carvolution goes a step further to help your decision: we guarantee that car subscription costs are lower than the total leasing costs.

Here’s how the guarantee works:

Send us your leasing and insurance offer, including optional tyre or service costs.
We compare the offer with the monthly total cost for the same model under a car subscription.
If our price is higher, we will reduce it.

SRF Kassensturz – Car Subscription or Purchase: When is each option suitable?

In addition to leasing, the Kassensturz report compared car purchase with a car subscription. A purchase duration of 8 years was assumed, while a 3-month minimum subscription was projected over 8 years.

Problem with the comparison: This cost calculation is misleading. Someone planning to own a car for 8 years is unlikely to be interested in changing cars every 3 months. The target groups and flexibility of the options are completely different, making this comparison of contract durations unrealistic.

Instead, the fundamental differences should be considered. Each mobility concept addresses a different target group.

Who benefits from a Car Subscription or Purchase?

When faced with a choice, consider your own priorities. Car subscriptions and car purchases serve different needs:

When is purchasing a car ideal?

A car purchase is recommended if the following are important:

Very long duration (8+ years): If you plan to keep a car long-term, purchasing makes more financial sense (assuming no unexpected repairs occur).
Full customisation: If personalised car configuration is important, purchasing is better. Car subscription providers often buy pre-configured cars in bulk to offer lower prices.

When is a car subscription ideal?

A car subscription suits those who value:

Flexibility and variety: You can try a car for just a few months or subscribe for up to 4 years.
No additional cost worries: Insurance, taxes, registration, service, maintenance and tyres are included. You only handle fuel/charging and parking.
Transparent costs: Unlike owning a car, there are no unexpected repair costs. You pay a fixed monthly total price, with no depreciation or maintenance risks.
Purchase possible: You can buy the car after the subscription, reducing your used car risk.

Conclusion: When does purchasing, leasing or subscribing make sense?

Car purchase: Best for very long durations (8+ years), offering maximum freedom. Requires significant upfront costs and full responsibility for maintenance, repairs and depreciation.
Leasing: Allows frequent access to new cars, but ties you to fixed durations and rigid mileage packages with additional costs.
Car Subscription (Carvolution): Ideal if you want a like-new car without long-term commitments or financial risk. Insurance, taxes, registration, service, maintenance and tyres are included in the monthly price.

Interested? Browse our large model selection or contact the Carvolution team for personalised advice to find your perfect car subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Kassensturz Car Subscription Report

Is a car subscription more expensive than leasing?

A car subscription is generally cheaper than leasing. Previous cost studies, e.g., by Comparis, show that a subscription is often the economically smarter option. Kassensturz may have shown otherwise due to non-comparable contract durations. With Carvolution, we guarantee lower total costs than leasing through our Best Price Guarantee.

Is the Kassensturz cost calculation correct?

The Kassensturz calculation compares apples with oranges. While individual cost elements are correctly included, it compares flexible subscriptions with an 8-year car purchase. The methodology is therefore misleading, as it mismatches contract durations.

How can I correctly assess car costs if the Kassensturz report is incomplete?

To make an informed decision, use our service: for every car, we provide a detailed cost calculation, comparing a car subscription transparently with leasing. Alternatively, contact us directly for advice based on your personal situation.