It can be difficult to decide the most comfortable car to rent for a road trip.
Will the cheapest car be comfortable enough?
Do I really need more legroom or can I sacrifice space for cost?
Will this SUV have enough storage and safety features for my family?
I completely understand the struggle. When you are renting a car you have never driven before, you aren’t sure if it will fit your needs and be the best choice for your journey.
So I’ve come up with a list of the best cars to rent for road trips for your comfort and your particular needs!
Traveling as a couple? With kids? With your dog? Plan to sleep in your vehicle?
Here are the 11 most comfortable cars for long trips!
What Is The Most Comfortable Car To Rent?
To begin, I’ve picked my overall top 3 choices of best cars for comfort that will suit most people.
I’ve taken into account comfortable seats, size, reliability, gas mileage, and several other factors when choosing the best road trip rental cars.
1. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is probably one of the best all-around road trip vehicles out there. That’s what it was built for – versatility and reliability.
This is the vehicle that we have for our family road trips. It matches our lifestyle perfectly and is the perfect size for a comfortable ride, even for my tall husband. It can also fit everything we need, including our baby’s mountain of gear.
As with most Subarus, it is AWD and has enough lift and power to get you where you need to go, even if the road (or off-road) conditions are a little sketchy.
We have the Wilderness edition, which is lifted even a bit more and has special powertrain features for snow, mud, and dirt. However, a standard Outback will still be able to get you to most places you’re likely to adventure to.
The rear seats fold down and lie flat, making it a great vehicle for sleeping in. Add in the abundant space for all your cargo, good gas mileage, and the ability to haul and tow, and this vehicle is a perfect rental car for long trips.
2. Hyundai Tuscon
While maybe not as well known as some of the other midsize SUVs on the market, this 4WD vehicle is another all-around great choice.
The Hyundai Tuscon is great for rugged terrain, so it will get you where you need to go, and it rides oh-so-smooth. It’s incredibly roomy on the inside, which makes for more comfortable long-distance drives, and the rear seats can also recline, giving your backseat passengers more comfort as well.
Also worth noting: the 4-cylinder engine gets pretty decent gas mileage for a midsize SUV, getting around 33 MPG on highway. Great to drive and also great on your wallet.
3. Toyota Corolla
If you prefer to drive a smaller vehicle on road trips, you can’t go wrong with a Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla is one of the most popular rental car models out there. It has good fuel economy, making it a great budget road trip option. It can fit 4 passengers comfortably and has good legroom for the people in the back seat. Its size also makes it an excellent choice for driving in cities and tight parking spaces.
Corollas are popular, comfortable cars with rental companies and are a solid choice if you are looking for one of the best cars to rent for a good price.
4. Best Car To Rent To Sleep In: Subaru Outback
I have to mention the Subaru Outback again as the most comfortable vehicle to rent if you plan to go car camping.
The foldable back seats make sleeping in your car so much better, especially if you are on the taller side. My husband and I are both taller and we cannot sleep in the back seat of a standard car. It’s hard to find a vehicle that can sleep both of us comfortably, but the Outback fits the bill.
Outbacks also have tinted back windows which is great for privacy while sleeping (and changing). Plus, many Outbacks also have sunroofs, which is perfect for stargazing.
Honorable mentions: Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Explorer
5. Best Car To Rent For Couples: Toyota Corolla
If it’s just you and your significant other, or possibly a friend, a smaller car will probably do the trick.
In comes the Toyota Corolla. It’s one of the most popular cars in the country, and for good reason. It may not have a lot of fancy features or frills, but it’s got what’s important.
For two people, there is plenty of storage and legroom. The smaller size and the good gas mileage make it a solid choice for anyone.
It may not be the most fun or fancy ride out there, but Corollas are known for being reliable, and that will give you better peace of mind out on the road.
Road trips are meant to be fun, and when you don’t have to worry about your ride, you’ll be able to focus on what’s important – the person you’re traveling with and the memories you’ll make.
Honorable mentions: Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus
6. Best Car To Rent For Family Road Trips: Toyota Sienna
Minivans…you either love them or you hate them. But you have to admit they are a great option for families when you have a few kids and a whole lot of stuff to take with you.
The Toyota Sienna is a great choice if you need a lot of space. It has good fuel economy for a minivan, a very roomy interior, and AWD which is a nice bonus.
The Sienna also offers an intercom system, lots of USB charging ports for all your kids’ (and your) devices, and an infotainment system so your children can watch whatever new show is all the rage these days (do kids still love Frozen?).
Honorable mentions: Chevrolet Trailblazer, Kia Sedona
7. Best Car To Rent For Off-Road Adventures: Jeep Wrangler
Jeeps are practically synonymous with adventure. They are built to handle just about any terrain, season, and conditions thrown at them. Essentially, they can go just about anywhere.
There’s also just something so freeing about driving without doors or a roof, and the Wrangler offers this fun option as well. They also have a decent towing capability, so if you’ve got an off-road teardrop camper (my dream!) or need to pull an ATV for even crazier adventures, this is the ideal vehicle for you.
Honorable mentions: Land Rover Defender, Toyota FJ Cruiser
8. Best Car To Rent For Traveling With Your Dog: Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek may not be as big as the Outback, but it’s a fantastic choice for traveling with your furry companions.
The Crosstrek is a safe and reliable car with good gas mileage. It has a higher clearance than some of the other Subaru models, which is perfect for minor off-roading so you can still get out to your favorite spots.
It also has a hatchback which makes it easy to get your dog in and out of the vehicle. Plus, it’s got the capability to haul crates and any other equipment you might need while on your road trip with your dog.
My daily driver is a Crosstrek and I absolutely love it. Before we upgraded Sam’s car to the Outback for our family road trips, he also had one. They have suited our lifestyle and our budget and we have been incredibly happy with them.
Honorable mentions: Chevrolet Suburban, Honda CR-V
9. Best Car To Rent For Lots of Cargo Space: Hyundai Tuscon
The Hyundai Tuscon has some of the largest cargo storage space in its class. If you are traveling with a lot of luggage, gear, and food, this mid-size SUV is a solid choice.
If the trunk is not big enough, the rear seats fold down for even more space. Add in the good gas mileage and smooth ride, and you’ll have a comfortable, budget-friendly rental car.
Honorable mentions: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4
10. Best Car To Rent For Fuel Efficiency: Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is well known for having unmatched fuel efficiency. The 2023 model is rated to get 57 MPG city and 56 MPG highway, and the older models get about the same.
The Prius also has a high safety rating, a surprisingly good amount of storage, and is small enough to drive anywhere comfortably. All these things combined make it the most comfortable car to drive for those on a tight budget.
Honorable mentions: Hyundai Elantra, Honda Insight
11. Best Car To Rent For Long-Distance Road Trips: Chrysler 300
While the Chrysler 300 may not be the most budget-friendly option, when it comes to the most comfortable car for road trips, this one is at the top.
This car has climate-controlled leather seating in all seats, both front and back, which is really nice. The front seats are also very adjustable for excellent lumbar support and comfort.
The 300 is on the bigger side, but it’s also fast, which makes it fun to drive when you’ve got a lot of miles to cover. Plus it can seat five comfortably and still have room for the luggage.
If you want a little more luxury for all the miles, consider the Chrysler 300 for your next long-distance road trip.
Honorable mentions: Ford Edge, Chevrolet Impala
Things To Consider Before Renting A Car
Whenever you need to rent a car, especially if you are taking a road trip, there are a few things you should consider before deciding what type of vehicle to get.
Number Of Passengers
One of the first things you should know is how many people will be in the vehicle. While most cars are equipped for at least 4-5 people, this does not mean that the car will be a good fit for your situation.
If you are taking a longer road trip with 4 people and everyone has a lot of luggage, renting a small sedan will probably not be able to hold everyone and their bags. And even if it can, it will not be comfortable because you’ll have cargo shoved in all around you (I’ve done this – it is NOT fun).
On the car rental website, you can see general information on how many people and how much luggage each car class can accommodate. This will help you make your decision in choosing what kind of car to rent.
Gas Mileage
Gas mileage is another big factor when determining what kind of vehicle you should rent. While as a general rule, the smaller the car and engine, the better the gas mileage, you might need a larger vehicle to accommodate the passengers and items you’ll be taking.
While most rental car classes will not list MPG, they will often mention a car that is in that class.
You can then Google “type of car” + “gas mileage” and get a general idea of the car class.
For example, if I’m considering renting a full-size car but I want to know the gas mileage first, I can see that a Nissan Altima is considered a full-size, so if I search “Nissan Altima gas mileage” I find that I’ll probably get between 28-39 MPG with this kind of car.
Automatic or Manual
In the United States, you will probably only be able to rent a vehicle with an automatic transmission unless it’s a sports car or you are renting a private vehicle from a site like Turo.
However, in most other countries, manual transmission is the norm.
If you don’t know how to drive a manual, then you will want to filter by transmission. Most of the time you can rent an automatic overseas, but it will be more expensive.
Make sure you double-check the transmission type before you book, especially if you are going to another country. Trying to learn to drive a manual in a new country is a surefire way to create a stressful holiday.
Storage Options
As mentioned above when determining the number of passengers, you also want to make sure the vehicle class you choose will store everything you need it to on your road trip.
A smaller-class vehicle is a great budget choice, but if you are going camping with your dog, it probably won’t hold everything you need it to.
Allowed Mileage
Make sure you verify how many miles you are allowed to drive in your rental before booking.
Some rental companies limit the allowed mileage on their vehicles and charge you a cost-per-mile for anything over. This is a sure way to rack up a hefty bill if you aren’t careful.
When you are checking out rental options, if you know for sure you want unlimited miles, check the box to filter only those cars.
However, if you know you are going to be driving less than the limited mileage option, you can save money by selecting a rental in this category.
Where To Rent Your Car
So now it’s time to find your vehicle for your next epic adventure! But where do you start?
Use the Discover Cars website to book your next rental.
They are fantastic for a lot of reasons.
The biggest one is that you always get free cancellation, so if your plans change you never have to worry about losing money.
DiscoverCars searches through their 500+ trusted providers to get you the best deal, with no hidden costs or inflated pricing.
Their website is also very user-friendly and if you do have any questions or problems, they have 24/7 support so you can get your answers at any time of day.
I’ve used DiscoverCars for many of my car rentals and have been very happy with the site to find a great deal with all the options I need.
Insurance For Your Car Rental
One of the biggest questions I hear about renting a car is, “Do I need to purchase extra rental insurance?”
And while you definitely need to have some kind of insurance on the rental, whether you need to purchase additional coverage depends on a few different factors.
First, does your own personal car insurance cover rentals? Oftentimes they do, especially domestically, so check with your insurer first to see if you are covered and for what.
Next, you can also get rental car insurance through many travel credit cards (as long as you put the car rental purchase on the card.) Again, check with your credit card company to see what is covered and if you’ll need additional insurance. Sometimes you need to decline the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) in order for your card to cover it, but again, ask your credit card company what you need to do to make sure your rental is covered.
And last, you can purchase additional coverage through the rental car company itself. Sometimes it makes sense to just pay a few extra dollars for the peace of mind or if you aren’t covered any other way.
Discover Cars also offers Full Coverage for any rental you book through them at a very affordable rate. While I haven’t had to make a claim with them personally, the reviews suggest they are a great choice.
Conclusion: What Is The Most Comfortable Car To Rent?
Trying to find the most comfortable car to rent can be a daunting task. I hope this post has made choosing your next rental easier and has helped you determine what things you should know before renting a car.
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