FINN vs. Autonomy: Which Should You Get a Car From?

FINN was launched in Munich, Germany in 2019 and followed its European success by expanding into the US in 2022 as the “better way to drive”. 

The company wanted to make procuring a car as easy as any other retail experience, introducing a unique online subscription model that includes “everything except for fuel”. Greater flexibility, maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance are provided for similar pricing as a traditional lease. 

Unlike some other so-called subscription companies, FINN specializes only in car subscriptions. Communities of car subscribers have appeared in many eastern states including Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington DC with plans to expand to the west coast. 

The growth rate in the US is now twice as fast as in Germany, with over 4,000 cars, trucks, and SUVs projected for its US fleet by the end of 2023. Current brands include Chevrolet, Nissan, Cadillac, Jeep, GMC, Ram, and more.

FINN is, in many ways, the “new guy on the block” but this has helped it remain nimble in a competitive space. As an indication of its progressive stance and commitment to “sustainable mobility”, 30 percent of its global fleet are fully electric vehicles while another 20 percent are plug-in hybrid vehicles.

FINN will continue to introduce new ideas and more digital features complete with automation to its car subscription model in the U.S. as the market matures. 

Autonomy is the largest electric vehicle subscription company in the U.S. and is based in Santa Monica, California.

Seeing itself as something of a disruptor in the car industry, the company empowers customers to own a vehicle without a huge loan and offers the widest range of electric vehicle options on a subscription rather than on a purchase or lease basis.

Branded as the way to “drive electric without the long-term commitment of a traditional loan or lease”, Autonomy is a U.S. company co-founded by Georg Bauer and Scott Painter. They have a long history of shaking up auto retail, auto finance and auto insurance and are seen as pioneers of the Car-as-a-Service (CaaS) category in the U.S.

The company’s stated mission is to make access to electric mobility easy and affordable through car subscriptions. In striving to accomplish this mission, Autonomy is focused on solving the “number one” problem for many Americans who want to drive electric cars: the high entry cost of such vehicles. Its subscription-based model aims to overcome the barrier of entry for the one-third of Americans reported to be considering driving EVs.

In 2022, Autonomy added around 200 EVs per week to its fleet and placed an order for 23,000 electric vehicles from Tesla, VW, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Rivian, Polestar and many other automakers in late 2022.

Autonomy provides a turnkey vehicle subscription platform that relies heavily on using its app. While other subscription companies offer plenty of EV and hybrid options. FINN offers the Ram 1500, for instance, while the sole focus on EVs for Autonomy is deliberate.

How easy is it to arrange a subscription with FINN and Autonomy?

To book a subscription with FINN, you’ll need to:

• Be at least 25 years of age
• Have a valid US driver’s license you’ve held for at least two years
• Have a credit score of at least 640
• Have a good driving record

With Autonomy, you’ll need to:

• Be at least 18 years of age 
• Be a resident of the US
• Download the Autonomy app
• Have a valid US driver’s license

Note that for younger drivers, the monthly costs may include a surcharge with Autonomy.

Autonomy charges a refundable deposit of $100 and there is a monthly fee payable upfront of between $1,000 and $4,900. How much you pay upfront will directly impact the monthly price you’re charged.

FINN charges no deposit or down payment provided you have a credit score of at least 680 (FICO 9). Drivers with a credit score of 640-679 (FICO 9) must pay a deposit equal to two months of subscription.

FINN’s monthly fees currently vary from $589 per month for the Chevrolet Traverse up to $1,539 per month for the GMC Yukon XL. Remember, these fees require no down payment.

With Autonomy, the size of the down payment greatly affects the monthly fees. So, with a $5,000 down payment, you can get to drive an EV for less than $300 per month. If, however, you choose a Mercedes-Benz with a $1,000 down payment, you’ll be paying close to $2,000 per month for the privilege.

FINN offers either 6 or 12-month subscription terms (12 or 24 months for EVs) and these may be extended.

Autonomy offers shorter-term three-month deals, which can be extended for up to 36 months as required—or returned with 14 days’ notice. 

With FINN, you’ll need to contact the team within six weeks of the contract ending if you want to renew or extend—some deals are flexible. 

Cancellation is free within FINN’s “risk-free” period of 48 hours—otherwise, a restocking fee applies. Once you have received delivery of the vehicle, no cancellation is possible until the end of the agreed term (6 or 12 months).

With Autonomy, your subscription is automatically renewed and charged to your card unless you actively cancel. 

If you change your mind before the subscription is activated, you get a full refund of your security deposit. After that, you’ll be charged the full term agreed.

FINN has an efficient online booking system that makes it easy to arrange a subscription. It can take as little as a few minutes to complete the process. 

You select from a wide range of vehicles that includes SUVs, pickups, and sedans with both automatic and manual transmissions—with some hybrid and EV options available and multiple color options. Your choice of vehicle can be scheduled for delivery directly to your doorstep. Depending on the vehicle choice, this will take between one day and several weeks.

With Autonomy, you’ll need to arrange your subscription through the app that you must download. This is a simple process and your choice of car can be delivered or you can collect it (usually in one day). Delivery is included in the fees you pay.

Autonomy was once almost exclusively focused on the Tesla Model 3 vehicle. While Tesla still features heavily in the fleet, you can now select from a wide range of EVs—SUVs, pickups and sedans—with other options besides Tesla, including VinFast, Chevrolet, Ford, Rivian and others.

FINN and Autonomy mainly cover different areas of the country—but these areas are expanding quickly for both companies.

FINN offers statewide services in New York, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Virginia and most of New England. Autonomy, on the other hand, focuses on California, Florida, Texas, and Washington DC.

FINN includes 850 miles in the base monthly package. Additional monthly mileage packages are available including 1,000, 1,250 and 1,500 miles or otherwise at 0.31 per mile extra.

The basic package with Autonomy includes 1,000 miles per month, with additional mileage charged at $0.25 per mile.

Both FINN and Autonomy include preventive and routine maintenance and roadside assistance in their basic packages.

With FINN, normal wear and tear is included but you’ll pay a deductible for any repairs required ($1,000 maximum) and this is made clear to customers. 

FINN includes insurance in its monthly fees but there is a deductible of up to $1,000 per incident. Flat tires and lost keys are not covered.

Until recently, you needed your own insurance with Autonomy. However, the company recently introduced insurance packages for eligible customers. The policies are underwritten by a third party and are billed together with monthly subscription fees. Premiums are determined by age, garaging address, driving record, etc.