If your car comes with a monthly or annual subscription, is the vehicle ever truly yours?

Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted the $99 monthly subscription for the full self-driving feature would rise as its capabilities improve. (Ian Clontz/The New York Times)
By McKynzie Steward – Cox Automotive
Feb 20, 2026
Most people today are familiar with living in a world driven by subscriptions. Maybe we hardly think twice about the payments being debited from our bank accounts every month. Paying monthly for services like Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Prime raises no flags, but did you know this can extend to your car?
What features are becoming subscriptions
Car subscriptions for some of the most seemingly basic features are becoming a popular trend among automakers. Features that previously came standard on cars are now hidden behind subscription plans that charge you monthly or annually. You’ve paid off your vehicle, but you’re still renting some if its capabilities.
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McKynzie Steward is an editor for Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. (Courtesy of Courtesy of McKynzie Steward)
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How this affects consumers
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Why have subscriptions become popular?
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How to push back
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