Best Auto Rental Cars

Renting out a vehicle that is said to be one of the best auto rental cars out there may not always be the best for you. Personal preferences, travel needs, number of seats required, legroom and trunk space, car technology that you may find useful andother factors make naming the best auto rental cars out of hundreds seem impossible.

Identify Your Car Needs

When weeding out the best rental car choices from the rest, it is important to consider these features:

Car use – First, identify your needs. Are you going to use the vehicle for business? Family trips? Long drives? This can help you choose the type of vehicle you need – SUVs like Dodge Nitro or Nissan Murano are great for large families, while compact cars like Chevy Cruze are enough for within-the-city drives. If you’re going to drive in rough roads, choose between pick-ups, SUVs and other heavy duty vehicles.
Seating– Another factor to consider when choosing the best auto rental cars for you is the seating requirements. Obviously, if you’re a family of 6, a subcompact car won’t do. If you’re traveling with babies, extra seating is needed for the child car seats. Be aware that if you are renting a vehicle abroad, the suitable ratings you find in U.S. websites shouldn’t be your basis. If you’re not sure, always ask the car rental company about the US equivalent.
Legroom and Interior Space – Generally, if you or any of your companions weigh over 165 pounds and stand over 5 feet 7 inches tall, a small car can be uncomfortable. Also consider interior space if you’re travelling long distances.
Trunk – Luggage space in Japanese and European cars are often tight, especially with sub-compact, compact and other hatchback types. Except from renters who are travelling alone, make sure to choose a vehicle with full baggage allowance.
Extras – To pick from the best auto rental cars, make sure you indicate extra features that you may need, such as a GPS navigation system, ski rack or a child’s car seat. These often have additional fees per day, so don’t be surprised if add-on charges pop-up on your bill.

Important Stuff: Transmission and Left-Hand/Right-Hand Drive

Once you’ve identified the type of vehicle you want to rent, the next thing you should tell a rental company is your preferred transmission. If you can’t drive a stick shift, make sure to reserve a car with automatic transmission. In Europe, manual transmission is the norm, so if you’re traveling abroad, ask the company if they could provide vehicles with automatic transmission.

Another thing to consider when choosing between the best auto rental cars is if your destination is a left-driving country. If you’re used to right-hand cars, but you’re going to one of the 75 left-driving countries, don’t assume that all rentals come in left-hand vehicles as well. Most of these countries use right-hand-drive vehicles, but request one with the car rental company just to make sure.

Total Rental Cost

The last consideration when picking a car rental is total cost. If you’re a first-time renter, read the fine prints of your contract. The fee advertised by most companies is usually just the base, which can be added up with a wide range of fees, including taxes, age-based surcharge, fuel, insurance, technology add-ons and a whole lot more.