Seat New Zealand unveils new subscription service

Tuesday, 26 May 2020

The Cupra Formentor: a seriously sporty SUV

Interested in a new car but don't want to pay new car money? Seat has the solution.

Called 'Seat Subscribe', the new service allows people to 'subscribe' to their vehicles for a weekend, month or even longer if need be. Some have already signed up for three months.

The cheapest rate is $99 for 72 hours, which relates to an Ibiza and it goes up to $260 for the Cupra Ateca. Weekly rates are between $199 and $520; with monthly rates between $595 and $1,550 (same models). Insurance is included with a minimal excess and extra drivers can be added.

You can now sort-of-rent a Leon Cupra through Seat's new subscription service.

It's a good way to experience a new car without a big outright purchase, particularly if you only need a different vehicle on occasion.

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The Cupra Formentor is due here 'early 2021', though that might be pushed back as a result of COVID-19.

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Seat is offering its full range of vehicles in the service, including the Leon Cupra, Ateca, Tarraco and Ibiza. Presumably, new Seat and Cupra vehicles will be added to the roster as they release.

There is a limit set for distance driven though, set at 1000km both the weekend and week subscriptions, the limit is 1,000kms per period. For the month-long subscriptions, the limit is 2,000km. An excess charge (variable by model) will apply for each kilometre above this.

Seat New Zealand's general manager James Yates told Stuff that Seat Subscribe was originally going to launch on March 23rd, the same day Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand would enter the COVID-fighting lockdown. Probably a good thing Seat held back, in hindsight…

There is also the possibility that Seat's model could be used with other Giltrap and Volkswagen brands, if it proves a success. That means, one day, you might be able to rent a Porsche 911, Golf GTI or Audi SQ8 for the weekend.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the New Zealand market will embrace something quite new to them. I think we’re tapping into the modern Kiwi who wants to craft their own experience, or simply try before they buy,” said Yates.