Five Best Cars to Rent on Vacation – If you happen to be one of the lucky ones about to take a holiday trip, there is always lots of planning along the lines of airplane tickets, hotel accommodations, and of course, car rental. As a frequent traveler, I’ve rented a variety of cars in the last few years. As with buying a vehicle, the consumer will find that with rentals, there are good cars, and then there are lemons.
Special consideration should be given to your travel plans. If accompanied by an entire family, you may opt for a minivan or SUV. A larger vehicle is especially handy if your plans include carting around a lot of equipment, like golf clubs, skis, musical equipment, or even if you just happen to have a family member who packs everything but the kitchen sink.
Also, keep in mind the area of the country you are visiting. If you are going to California where gas prices are typically higher than anywhere else in the US, you may want to travel light and choose a fuel-efficient compact car or hybrid. Car rental companies jumped on the hybrid bandwagon some time ago. If your travels take you to snow and ice, a sturdy SUV may be a better choice for traction in inclement weather.
Certainly, when renting a car, one has to consider all of the possibilities, such as rental rate and vehicle availability. The consumer may want to choose a company because of ties to a favorite frequent flyer program, or may prefer to choose one company over another because you belong to their preferred renter program. However, if the playing field was level and the rental was based on personal choice, here would be my top five picks for the best cars to rent on vacation:
Cadillac CTS. This may be a premium rental, and we were lucky on one trip when our lesser car of choice was no longer available. The rental agency gave us a free upgrade for our trouble, and I wasn’t going to refuse! The Cadillac CTS has a trunk roomy enough for a full contingent of a family of four, and the interior is luxurious and spacious: leather seats and lots of cup holders. The Cadillac CTS we rented also came with satellite radio. We were in heaven!
Jeep Cherokee. This car is a favorite for visits to the Rockies. The Cherokee is a small but sturdy SUV, more manageable than the larger Chevrolet Tahoe. The four-wheel-drive comes in handy when trying to navigate treacherous and unpaved mountain terrain. It has enough get up and go to make it through the passes in the higher elevations. I can tell you from experience that many smaller cars do not perform as well under these conditions.
Chevrolet Aveo or Cobalt. Either of these two compact cars are my favorite for trips to San Francisco. Both have plenty of power to make it up and down the steep hills, and both are extremely fuel-efficient. With parking at a premium in the downtown areas, the spaces may seem a tad bit smaller than you may be used to. Maneuvering either of these two small Chevies is easy to do in the confines of a large, busy city.
Toyota Prius. This one is my favorite, because, well… I drive one at home. The interior of the Prius is extraordinarily roomy for a small car, it drives easily, and you can’t argue with the fuel savings. The newer models come with GPS and rear cameras, so you can see where you are backing. (A downside to the Prius is the enormous blind spot on either side, one that is more apparent if you’re a small person like I am.)
Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Let’s say your travels are taking you somewhere hot and sunny. Why not celebrate your good fortune of escaping the snow and cold by renting a convertible? The Chrysler Sebring would be my choice over any other model, including the company’s PT Cruiser convertible. The Sebring is mid-sized, zippy and looks great.
Of course, when renting any vehicle, make sure you check out the fine print before committing or clicking your choice. When at the rental counter, always ask if there are free upgrades available that day. (It does happen.) Be sure you are covered on your personal car insurance before checking the liability waiver.
Then, get in and drive!
