Which rental car class should I choose?

Full of enthusiasm, you start searching this website for a rental car for your next vacation. But you quickly start to feel overwhelmed: all those different categories, seating capacities, trunk sizes, 2- or 4-door models, MPVs, SUVs, and many other options and choices. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you choose, so you can rent a car that perfectly suits your needs and travel plans.

First, we’ll provide an overview of the main categories of rental cars. Then we’ll discuss the questions you should ask yourself when renting a car.

• Mini
  These are the smallest cars you can rent. These little cars have a back seat, so they can officially seat 4 people, but honestly, they’re better suited for 2. On longer trips, 4 people will be very cramped in this class of car. Examples of these cars include the Fiat 500, Ford Ka, and Smart Forfour.

• Economy
  If you rent a car from the economy class, you’ll have a bit more space than in a mini. Still, this class is also a bit on the cramped side if you’re driving long distances with four adults, but it works well for a family with two small children—at least, if you don’t have too much luggage. Examples of rental cars in this class include the Peugeot 208, Nissan Micra, and Seat Ibiza.

• Compact
  This is a very popular class when it comes to rental cars: not too big and not too small. It’s the perfect car to rent if you’re traveling with a small family. A very comfortable car for a trip at an affordable price, with an engine powerful enough for driving in the mountains. Compact rental cars include the Ford Focus, Opel Mokka, and Seat Leon.

• Intermediate
  This is also known as the mid-size class when renting cars. These cars offer plenty of interior space, yet remain relatively compact on the outside. Suitable for longer distances, for example, with two adults and three children. Examples of rental cars in this class include the Ford C-Max, Nissan Qashqai, and Volkswagen Golf.

• Standard
  This is called the standard class, but these are fairly large rental cars that easily accommodate five adults and offer a wonderfully comfortable ride on longer trips. Cars you can rent in this class include the Kia Sportage, Opel Insignia, and Peugeot 508.

• Full-Size
  These are even larger cars than those in the standard class and often come with more luxurious features. These rental cars have powerful engines, allowing you to cover long distances effortlessly. This class also includes cars that seat more than 5 people, such as minivans. Examples of family cars in this class include the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, and Volvo XC60.

• Luxury
  Just feel like driving around in luxury in a rental car? Then cars in this class are for you! Examples include the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, and the electric Tesla Model 3.

All these categories are listed in our filter system, so you can easily view only the cars that match your preferences. But there are even more possibilities and options.

• 
  In categories starting with “Compact,” you can often choose an extended model—in other words, a station wagon. This type of car is especially handy if you’re bringing a lot of luggage or need space for sports equipment, for example.

• MPV/SUV
  These cars also offer more luggage space than standard family cars. An SUV sits higher off the ground than an MPV, allowing you to enjoy the scenery even more and providing a great view of the road.

• Convertible
  Even in the mini class, there are cars available with a convertible top! Isn’t it wonderful to drive around with the wind in your hair at a sunny destination? Luggage space is very limited, since the folded-up convertible top takes up that space.

Ask yourself these questions when looking for a rental car

Which car to rent depends on many factors. Of course, your travel plans matter: will you be taking short trips or a long road trip? Will you be driving through rugged terrain or only on well-traveled roads? In which country or countries will you be driving? And so on. Are you traveling alone, as a couple, with your family, or in a large group? Do you have a lot of luggage (such as sports equipment), or are you traveling as light as possible? And, last but not least: what are your personal preferences? Do you mind being a bit cramped, or do you prefer space and luxury around you?

And one more thing: if you’re going to a country where people drive on the “wrong” side of the road (i.e., on the left if you’re used to driving on the right, and vice versa), you might want to consider renting a car with an automatic transmission. That way, at least you won’t have to worry about shifting gears.

Here’s a quick rundown of the questions:

1. How many people are traveling with you? And how much luggage are you bringing?

2. What’s the purpose of your trip? Short city breaks or a long road trip?

3. Where will you be driving the rental car? Mainly on well-paved highways or do you want to explore steep mountain roads?

4. Does traffic in your destination country drive on the “wrong” side of the road?

5. What’s more important to you: the price of the rental car or having a rental car with plenty of luxury features?

Weigh your options when renting a car

So there’s no single right answer as to what type of rental car you need for your vacation. Take a vacation destination like Iceland, for example. Many people claim that you can only drive there with a 4WD. That’s nonsense, because if you’re going there in the summer and only driving on main roads, a 4WD isn’t necessary at all in that country. We just want to say: don’t go by what others claim, but make your own decision. We hope this guide helps you with that decision.

One more thing to keep in mind once you’ve booked a rental car:

Will you always get the rental car you chose?

In most cases, yes, because car rental companies will do their very best to satisfy the customer. But the car classes we mentioned above exist for a reason. When you book a car, you’re reserving the category, not the specific model. That’s why the cars listed always include the note “or equivalent’ is always added to the list of available cars. EasyTerra isn’t unique in this—all websites where you can book rental cars do the same. The local rental company handles the scheduling, and we have no insight into that process. But if you don’t get the exact rental car you booked, you’ll almost always receive a car with at least the same specifications as the one you reserved. In other words: from the same class or even a higher one.