Types of Cars Offered By Rental Car Companies

For most people, selecting the make and model of their rental car is the favorite part of this experience. This is the reason behind a rental car company’s massive fleet of vehicles, ranging from mid-to-king sized SUVs to an environmentally green Prius.

The usual criteria are the expected number of passengers and luggage, after which you choose the class of car you’re looking for (such as compact, SUV, or luxury). At this point, the sales representative will inform you of the number of cars available in that particular class. It’s important to note that most people keep a rental car longer than they originally plan, so you may have to get a little flexible and accept a different make in the same class. For example: if you reserve a medium car at budget and none are available at that time, you are upgraded to a large car at no extra cost.

Listed below are each class of vehicle and information a person would base their decisions on. The number of occupants, luggage capacity, gas mileage, and features provided.

Small sized rentals

summer

If you are looking for a small sized rental car, you have the following two classes to choose from. These cars are known to have the highest mileage than all other classes. However, they carry fewer occupants, and lack luggage capacity. These fuel-efficient cars are designed with short-term travel in mind. They are small low cost rentals perfect for students, couples, and small families with a couple of bags.

Majority of small rentals include the following features:

  • Air bags
  • A/C
  • Power controls
  • Auto transmission
  • Radio/Mp3
  • Safety locks

Economy cars

No. of occupants: 2 adults & 2 child
Luggage capacity: 1 large 1 medium & 1 small suitcases
Mileage: 27-36

Examples of economy cars are: Chevrolet Spark, Hyundai Accent, Suzuki swift, and similar

Compact cars

No. of occupants: 4 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 1 large 2 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 24-34

Examples of compact cars are: Nissan Versa, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cobalt, and similar

Midsize rentals

Midsize cars are perfect for families looking to travel with ample luggage space, or a group of people packing lightly. These are slightly larger than small sized cars and offer more space for occupants and luggage. The mileage difference as compared to economy is negligible.

Majority of midsized rentals include the following features:

  • Air bags
  • A/C
  • Power controls
  • Auto transmission
  • Radio/CD player
  • Safety locks
  • Remote entry
  • Anti-theft
  • Cruise control

Coupes

No. of occupants: 4 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 1 large 1 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 23-34

Examples of coupe cars are: Nissan Altima coupe, Elantra coupe and similar

Sedans

No. of occupants: 4 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 2 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 18-29

Examples of sedans cars are: Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Cruze Dodge Avenger, and similar

Standard rentals

mietwagen

A standard full size car is the perfect balance between power and comfort. Travel in style with family or friends. The mileage however is quite low as compared to small and midsized. But it will more than make up for it in the features that cars in this class provide.

Majority of standard rentals include the following features:

  • Air bags
  • A/C
  • Power controls
  • Auto transmission
  • Radio/CD player
  • Safety locks
  • Remote entry
  • Anti-theft
  • Cruise control
  • Climate control
  • Powerful V8 engine
  • Leather interior
  • Map lights
  • Traction control
  • Armrest

Full size cars

No. of occupants: 4 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 2 large, 1 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 19-27

Examples of full-sized cars are: Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala, and similar

Premium cars

No. of occupants: 4 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 2 large, 1 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 18-26

Examples of premium cars are: Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300, and similar

Mini vans

No. of occupants: 7 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 2 large & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 17-24

Examples of minivans cars are: Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, and similar

Hybrid rentals

People are growing environmental conscious, more and more are requesting hybrid cars. If you don’t feel like paying for gas this is the car for you, less spent is more in your pocket. Quieter driving and better mileage.

Majority of small rentals include the following features:

  • Air bags
  • A/C
  • Power controls
  • Auto transmission
  • Radio/Mp3
  • Safety locks
  • Anti theft
  • GPS

Green/Fuel efficient cars

No. of occupants: 4 adults & 1 child
Luggage capacity: 1 large & 3 small suitcases

Examples of premium cars are: Toyota Prius, and similar

SUV rentals

SUV

A luxurious yet practical vehicle in case you need to go rallying in the dessert or cross a river. There is plenty of room for a large group of people and their luggage, which makes this vehicle perfect for camping and cross country trips.

Majority of SUV rentals include the following features:

  • Air bags
  • A/C
  • Power controls
  • Auto transmission
  • Radio/CD player
  • Safety locks
  • Remote entry
  • Anti-theft
  • Cruise control
  • Climate control
  • Powerful V8 engine
  • Leather interior
  • Map lights
  • Traction control
  • Armrest

Standard SUV

No. of occupants: 5 adults & 2 children
Luggage capacity: 1 large & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 13-19

Examples of Standard SUVs are: Ford Sport Trac, Chevrolet Blazer, and similar

Premiums SUV

No. of occupants: 5 adults & 2 children
Luggage capacity: 2 large, 3 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 12-18

Examples of Premium SUVs are: Ford Explorer, Chevy Tahoe and similar

Full-sized SUV

No. of occupants: 6 adults & 2 children
Luggage capacity: 2 large 4 medium & 2 small suitcases
Mileage: 12-18

Examples of Full-sized SUVs are: Ford expedition, Ford explorer and similar.