In brief: Subscription services are all the rage these days. Platforms like Netflix, Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Vue, Sling Television receiver, and endless others charge a monthly fee in exchange for ongoing access to their respective content libraries. Notwithstanding, this monetization model has use cases that extend beyond the digital earth. In a press release published today, Nissan appear its first baggage-complimentary car subscription service: "Nissan Switch."

Nissan Switch is the carmaker's attempt to bring "on-demand driving" to the public, assuasive users to drive a wide variety of vehicles on a month-to-month ground with no long-term agreement or contract required. In that location are no loans to pay off, no leases to worry about, and no maintenance disasters to contend with.

"Nissan Switch is another fashion that Nissan is testing alternatives to the notion of traditional mobility, without long-term financial commitments for our customers," Nissan executive Andrew Tavi said in a statement. "This plan provides more choice, convenience, and flexibility. For those who want a sedan during the week and an SUV or sports car, similar the GTR, on the weekends, Nissan Switch provides the solution."

So, how does Switch work? If you're in a supported region -- just Houston, Texas for at present -- you lot sign upward for Switch, download the app, select your use case (custom requests are possible) and vehicle model, and a "concierge" (employed past Clutch) will deliver a car to y'all within the "Select Service Area." For at present, the Select Service Area consists of the 20-mile radius around the South Main Neighborhood in Houston. You can see a full coverage map on the Nissan Switch website.

If you decide you don't similar the vehicle that was delivered to y'all, you can switch it out for some other one at any fourth dimension, with no limits. In that location'southward no charge to exercise so, and your concierge volition help you lot transfer baggage, groceries, or other objects from vehicle to vehicle.

Nissan's Switch car line-up includes EVs, sedans, SUVs, trucks, and sports cars, and they all fall nether one of ii cadre subscription packages. Nissan Switch Select is $699, in addition to a one-time $495 "activation fee." Select gives y'all access to the Nissan Altima, Rogue, Pathfinder, and Frontier.

Nissan Switch Premium is $899, and it includes the aforementioned fix of vehicles, in addition to the Nissan Foliage, Maxima, Murano, Armada, Titan, and 370Z. The GT-R tin can be driven for an "additional $100 per day" (but no more than 7 days at a fourth dimension).

Update: A Nissan representative has informed united states of america that Switch will limit customers to 2,000 miles of driving, or 180 days of general usage for each individual vehicle (whichever comes beginning). When either one of those limitations is exceeded, the user volition exist required to switch to a new vehicle. In some circumstances, Nissan may ask for the vehicle back early on if it needs to perform "routine tasks" like preventative maintenance.

No matter how you lot look at it, even the base programme'southward $700 (plus roughly $500 out of the gate) monthly fee is a lot of money for a lot of people. However, there are a few benefits to using the service. Bated from the convenience of existence able to swap your car out at any fourth dimension, Nissan throws in free roadside assistance, total particular washes, ongoing maintenance, and a "sustainable liability insurance policy" with no out-of-pocket deductibles for drivers.

Nissan is positioning Switch as an alternative to the standard lease-and-drive, or purchase-and-pay-off machine acquisition methods Usa citizens are used to. The company even has a chart that compares buying or leasing a vehicle to "renting" one with Switch (run across that above).

At whatsoever rate, you can learn more most Switch on its official website. In the meantime, nosotros'd beloved to hear your thoughts on the concept. If you had the money, would you take advantage of a "car subscription service" similar this one, or would yous prefer to stick to what you lot know? Tell us in the comments.