Mercedes’ subscription service is the cheapest one we’ve seen yet

Mercedes-Benz is the latest luxury automaker to launch a subscription-based service to get customers who want to have access to a fleet of fancy cars but don’t necessarily want to own one. The German car company’s service is called Collection, and shockingly, it’s the cheapest one we’ve seen so far.

Mercedes is offering two plans: Signature for $1,095 a month and Reserve $1,595 a month. A one-time $495 joining fee is also required. Each plan includes insurance, roadside assistance, service, and maintenance as well as a “personal concierge” who will flip you from one vehicle to another. That makes Mercedes’ plan notably cheaper than comparable subscription services by BMW ($2,000–$3,700 / month), Porsche ($2,000–$3,000 / month), and Cadillac ($1,500 / month).

Signature customers will have their pick between C-Class, GLC, SLC, and AMG CLA vehicles, while Reserve members can access E-Class, GLE, AMG GLC, AMG SLC, and AMG C43 vehicles.

Back in April, the company’s US arm announced it would begin testing a subscription-based service in two cities: Nashville and Philadelphia. BMW is also piloting its subscription in Nashville, while Porsche’s is available in Atlanta, and Cadillac’s is available in New York City.

Mercedes Collection will undoubtedly appeal to customers who are drawn to a simplified payment structure and the flexibility to swap to a newer car sooner than a traditional lease or finance plan or a higher-quality vehicle than a daily rental from the airport.

Still, the $1,095-a-month plan is almost three times the cost of leasing a C 300 sedan in the Nashville area. (However, a lease requires a down payment of $4,169 and doesn’t include insurance and maintenance.)