Toyota offering monthly, yearly car subscriptions in Australia

Toyota has announced its subscription service Kinto now offers a flexible subscription option called Kinto Flex for its Australian customers.

Toyota Australia introduced Kinto in early 2021, and originally pitched it as a short-term car hire service similar to the likes of Go Get.

Flex is a full fledged car subscription service that builds on that by offering drivers the flexibility to book in hourly, daily, weekly, or yearly options.

It’s aimed at drivers who need the flexibility of extending or reducing their car rental without a long term commitment.

For a fixed cost, running costs for the vehicle (fuel, servicing, insurance, roadside assistance, and maintenance) are packaged up as part of the monthly price – with the exception of a kilometre surcharge which varies depending on the car.

Vehicles are available from 160 locations across Australia, primarily Toyota dealerships, however major shopping centres and hotels also feature on the map.

Drivers can hire a Yaris Hybrid, Yaris Cross Hybrid, Corolla Hybrid, C-HR Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, seven-seat Kluger Hybrid, single- and dual-cab HiLux 4×4 options, or a HiAce LWB.

Drivers can rent only Toyota vehicles, with a 97 per cent hybrid line-up available.

Subscriptions start from $280 per week or $1215 per month, and the mileage surcharge starts from $0.17 per kilometre travelled.

Car subscriptions are on the rise in Australia with the others like Simplr, Motopool, Carly, Subscribacar, HelloCars, and Carbar, offering similar programs.

They’re pitched as a more conventional alternative to traditional car ownership for buyers who travel often, or who can’t park a vehicle at home.