Mobility in 2026 is no longer just about transportation. It’s about lifestyle, the way you choose to move, the way you plan your days, the places you want to explore, and how seamlessly your car fits into all of it. Australians are embracing vehicles that align with their values: smarter finances, cleaner energy, intuitive tech, and a sense of freedom that feels effortless. Fingo sits right in the centre of this evolution, helping drivers navigate a world where car choices feel more personalised than ever.
How Everyday Australians Are Redefining “Getting Around”
Driving has become part of a broader lifestyle rhythm. For some, it’s the quiet EV commute that starts the morning right; for others, it’s the SUV waiting for weekend getaways; for families, it’s the predictable comfort of a structured cost. This shift in mindset is fueling the rise of smarter, more adaptable ways to access a car, ways that prioritise clarity, convenience, and control.
Why Novated Leasing Fits the 2026 Lifestyle
Many Australians are turning to a novated lease because it offers a streamlined, predictable, and modern way to drive. Instead of juggling multiple bills and unexpected costs, novated leasing wraps car expenses into one smooth salary packaging arrangement. It matches the 2026 preference for simplicity, letting people focus on living, not admin.
Planning has also become more intuitive. Before committing to anything, drivers often explore their options using the novated lease calculator. It’s the kind of tool that feels less like financial homework and more like planning a lifestyle decision, giving a clear view of affordability and take-home pay in seconds.
Planning With Tools That Make Life Easier
Big decisions are easier when the numbers feel real. Whether you’re considering a career move, adjusting to hybrid work, or planning for a growing family, having instant clarity around your vehicle costs helps put everything into perspective.
The EV Wave: Quiet Drives, Clean Choices, Smarter Savings
The electric momentum is one of the strongest mobility trends of 2026. Australians are embracing quieter drives, lower running costs, and a sense of environmental impact that aligns with modern values. This shift has made EV novated leasing more popular than ever, especially because it’s now one of the most affordable ways to enter the EV world.
A major driver of this affordability is the government-supported FBT exemption for eligible electric vehicles. It’s a financial advantage that makes EV ownership accessible to everyday Australians, not just early adopters. For a deeper look at how this works, Fingo offers a clear guide at novated lease FBT exemption.
What the FBT Exemption Means for Everyday Drivers
The exemption removes one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption. Instead of EVs being an aspirational idea, the financial structure now makes them a lifestyle reality for many households.
Finance That Matches Your Life: Car Loan, Car Allowance or Salary Packaging
Not everyone chooses novated leasing, and that’s the beauty of smart mobility, it’s all about personal fit. Some drivers prefer the long-term stability of a car loan, while others explore the flexibility available within broader car finance options. In both cases, people are choosing the path that aligns with their sense of ownership and financial comfort.
For employees whose companies provide cash instead of packaging support, a car allowance becomes an important part of the mobility equation. Understanding how a car allowance works helps drivers compare it against a salary-packaged option and decide which arrangement matches their lifestyle best.
Salary packaging itself is also evolving, with many people comparing it directly to leasing. Fingo’s resource on novated lease vs salary packaging supports this decision-making with clarity and context.
Using Repayment Calculators to Keep Things Real
For anyone leaning toward traditional finance, planning starts with real numbers. The repayment calculator helps people visualise weekly or monthly commitments and understand exactly how a loan will fit into their budget and their lifestyle.
The Subscription Mindset: Freedom Over Ownership
Subscription mobility is gaining traction with drivers who value pure flexibility. It appeals to those who love the idea of switching cars based on seasons, life phases, or spontaneous adventures. While subscriptions aren’t always the most cost-efficient option, they tap into a lifestyle trend that prioritises freedom over long-term commitments, a mindset increasingly common in 2026.
Who Subscription Models Are Perfect For
Subscriptions fit best with people who want access rather than ownership, and who enjoy a “choose what you need, when you need it” approach to driving.
Choosing the Smart Path Forward With Confidence
Smart mobility in 2026 is all about personal choice. Whether someone chooses novated leasing, embraces an EV, leans into traditional finance, uses a car allowance, or experiments with subscription models, the goal is always the same: driving in a way that fits their life.
Fingo supports Australians through every step of that journey. With transparent guides, lifestyle-friendly tools, and a focus on clarity rather than complexity, Fingo helps you drive into the future feeling informed, confident, and completely in control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes novated leasing such a popular choice for Australians in 2026?
Novated leasing has become a leading choice in 2026 because it fits the way Australians now think about lifestyle, money and convenience. Instead of handling multiple separate car costs like registration, servicing, fuel, insurance and repairs, a novated lease brings everything together in one organised salary packaged arrangement. This creates predictable expenses and removes the stress of surprise bills, which is especially appealing for busy professionals and families who want simple, steady budgeting.
There is also a growing preference for financial solutions that feel integrated rather than complicated. People want mobility options that work the same way they manage other parts of their life. Many drivers start their journey with the novated lease calculator because it gives a personalised picture of potential savings and the impact on take home pay. With tax benefits, lifestyle flexibility and no large upfront payment, novated leasing feels like a smart and modern way to drive in 2026.
How does an EV novated lease work and why is it more affordable now?
Electric vehicles have become more mainstream because Australians are embracing sustainable choices, better charging networks and smoother driving experiences. When an EV is packaged through a salary arrangement using an EV novated lease, the financial benefits increase even more.
The most significant reason is the government supported FBT exemption that applies to eligible electric vehicles. Fringe Benefits Tax usually adds extra cost to vehicles provided through an employer, but qualifying EVs avoid this entirely. This means lower tax and a more affordable way to access an electric car. Drivers can learn more about how the exemption works through Fingo’s extended guide at the novated lease FBT exemption.
With lower running costs, reduced servicing needs, and a financial structure that supports savings, an EV novated lease gives everyday Australians a practical and affordable path into electric driving.
What is the difference between car finance, a car loan and novated leasing?
These options help drivers access a vehicle, but they suit very different lifestyles. A car loan gives you full ownership from the beginning. This appeals to people who want to keep their car for many years or prefer total control over modifications, resale and usage. Broader car finance solutions can include loans, chattel mortgages or other structures depending on financial goals.
A novated lease works differently. It is paid through salary packaging and rolls most repayment and running costs into a single arrangement. This can create tax savings and feels easier to manage because the expenses are combined. Drivers often compare options using the repayment calculator to see how a loan structure stacks up against a novated lease.
The best option depends on lifestyle preferences. People who want convenience and predictable costs often choose novated leasing. Those who value long term ownership and full independence may prefer a loan or other forms of car finance.
How do car allowances work and when might they be better than a novated lease?
A car allowance is a payment added to your salary by your employer to help cover vehicle costs. You can use it however you prefer. Some people use it for car repayments, some use it for running costs and others use it to support alternative transport options. Understanding how a car allowance works is important because the payment is taxed as income.
A car allowance may work better for people who want complete freedom to choose how that money is spent or for those who already own a car. It is also useful when an employer does not offer salary packaging. However, because the allowance is taxed, it usually does not provide the same financial advantages that a novated lease can offer, especially when the vehicle is eligible for EV incentives.
Choosing between an allowance and a novated lease depends on personal goals, financial preferences and how much structure or independence someone wants in their mobility costs.
Are car subscription services worth it in 2026?
Car subscriptions have become popular among people who value flexibility. A subscription lets drivers use a vehicle without committing to long term contracts or traditional finance. Servicing, insurance and registration are usually included, which creates a simple experience. This approach appeals to people who move frequently, work on short term projects or enjoy changing cars regularly.
However, subscriptions usually cost more than a novated lease or traditional car finance or a car loan. The value comes from convenience, not affordability. Subscriptions suit people who want mobility without long term responsibility. Drivers who want financial efficiency usually compare subscription prices with tools like the repayment calculator to understand the real difference.
Subscriptions are worth it for those who want maximum flexibility. They are less suitable for people who want the best financial outcome or the benefits of salary packaging.