When you are looking to hire a car, there are many decisions that have to be made. The biggest and most fundamental of all of these is, “there are so many car hire sizes, which is right for me?”
Although many decisions are driven by price, there are times when it can be beneficial to spend a little bit more for the right vehicle. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to choosing the right sized hire car. Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Car Hire Insurance!
Photo by: ChiccoDodiFC/Fotolia
Where are you going?
First, you will need to consider the terrain that you will be driving on and how your car will perform there. For example, many customers find that hiring a small car in Madeira and some parts of Italy means that they struggle with the steeper roads. Although we can’t guarantee the size of engine in your rental car, we do suggest that a larger vehicle would be more suited to these types of areas.
Top Tip! If you are travelling to a winter resort remember to consider any sports equipment you may be taking with you. You are unlikely to fit your ski gear into an economy sized vehicle.
Who are you going with?
Sometimes a small 5 seat vehicle is too small to fit in everyone and their luggage. Be aware that some vehicle classes have the same amount of seats but offer drastically different amounts of space for each passenger. We provide information on how much luggage you can fit into the car, helping you make the choice.
How tall is the designated driver? Will they be comfortable driving a small car or are they used to driving a car with lots more space inside?
If you are travelling with elderly passengers then it can sometimes be beneficial to hire a larger vehicle. A bigger car is often easier to get in and out of, as it isn’t so low to the ground.
Photo by: fasndee/Fotolia
Hiring a car for family holidays
Hiring a car for family holidays can be trickier than it seems. If you simply need a vehicle to get you from the airport to your accommodation then it’s not too bad. You can cram everyone in and you’re done – this obviously doesn’t work if you’re planning on doing lots of driving as the kids will soon make their feelings known.
If you’re travelling with small children, consider the number of booster seats you’ll need and can fit in a car whilst retaining enough space for luggage. It’s also worth considering if there are enough doors? For example, if you have young children that you need to assist out of the vehicle, is a 3 door vehicle sufficient or do you need 5 doors?
A “Full Size” vehicle or people carrier is probably your best bet if taking the family although an Intermediate or Standard option should be large enough if you don’t have huge amounts of extra luggage.
What type of driving will you be doing?
If you are planning to be doing a lot of driving on motorways or similar it could be advisable to book at diesel car. The economic benefit of better fuel efficiency can add up over longer journeys meaning this is an easy way to save money.
Alternatively, if you are doing a lot of city driving it may be beneficial to hire a smaller car for easier parking. For example, some of our customers say they prefer a smaller car in Italian cities where the roads can be quite narrow. If you consider exactly what it is you are going to be doing in the car, you can make an informed decision and avoid unnecessary stress.
When are you going?
It is important to think about the time of year you are going and what the weather is going to be like. If it is going to be hot you can select that all important air conditioning. Alternatively, if it’s cold you may need extra luggage space for warm clothing and snow chains.
Being aware of the conditions you are going to be in can be a big help when choosing your vehicle class.
Do you need extras?
Sometimes it can seem like an unnecessary expense but a GPS, booster seat or ski-rack can be essential in some situations. Make sure you are aware of the specific extras that are available and use this to inform your choice of vehicle.
Will I get the car I order?
It’s important to remember that whether you’re hiring through ourselves or another company, we cannot guarantee the exact make and model of the vehicle. A vehicle of similar specifications is likely to be provided instead.
As a car hire broker, we work with hundreds of suppliers all over the world. Every supplier has a different fleet of vehicles and therefore vehicles are ordered by groups. Each group is determined by several different vehicle models which are of a similar size with the same specifications i.e. the same number of doors, seats and boot space.
For this reason all the advice below is based on questions that need consideration before you book your hire car.
I want to save money – Should I book a small car?
This depends, if a small vehicle is suitable then yes. If it’s going to handicap you, prove to be a tight fit or underpowered then probably not.
A good way to save money is by reducing the amount of luggage you take on holiday. You can avoid paying to check-in a bag with the airline and potentially hire a smaller car with less boot space.
Car hire sizes – which should I choose?
There are many factors which could affect what vehicle you receive on the day. If a customer is late returning their vehicle at the end of their hire period for example, it could mean that you are provided with a different model. It should always be of a similar size/specification however, or larger should you receive a free upgrade.
Photo by: Zerophoto/Fotolia
Vehicles displayed on our website are the most commonly provided vehicle of that group. If you are hiring an economy vehicle for example, you might select a Ford Fiesta on our website, but upon arrival you may receive a Fiat Punto, Opel Corsa or VW Polo.
Really, it all comes down to analysing your needs and your budget. Carefully consider how much you will be using your vehicle, how many people will be travelling in your group, what level of access you will require, how much luggage you will have and added conveniences that you may wish your vehicle to include. It can also help to have a little bit of background knowledge to help you make these decisions, so keep reading to find out more.
Choosing the right size hire car
The first thing you should know is that hire vehicles are not priced by make or model but grouped into categories:
- Mini
- Economy
- Compact
- Standard
- Full size
Mini
Example: Ford Ka
Suitable for: 2 x Adults
Luggage space: 2 x Hand Luggage
As the name suggests this is a very small car. They are best suited to one or two people, and usually have just two doors. With limited boot space your luggage will need to be minimal. However, the small engine size makes these cars very budget friendly. If you just need a car to whizz round the immediate area, these vehicles are perfect and can also squeeze into nearly any parking space! Think twice about hiring one of these in Madeira.
Economy
Example: Ford Fiesta
Suitable for: 3 x Adults
Luggage space: 1 x Suitcase & 2 x Hand Luggage
Slightly bigger than a ‘mini’ vehicle these cars can comfortably fit two or three passengers and a tad more luggage. Economy vehicles are aptly named for their relatively low petrol costs. With small engines they won’t win a race but are ideal for shorter trips and will be easy to park. A great compromise between size and value, they are often a popular choice.
Compact or Small Family
Example: Ford Focus, VW Golf
Suitable for: 4 x Adults
Luggage space: 2 x Suitcases
This type of car is a great option for a family on a budget but best suited to shorter journeys. Whilst they can cope with longer journeys these cars are ideal for driving in city locations. They are easy to park and offer good fuel economy. Most ‘compact’ cars feature air-conditioning but it is always best to check this in advance.
Intermediate or Standard
Example: Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia
Suitable for: 5 x Adults
Luggage space: 2 x Suitcases & 2 x Hand Luggage
With the space of a saloon or estate sized vehicle and a bigger engine these cars can comfortably handle longer journeys without anyone feeling cramped. They typically feature more boot space so are well equipped to fit extra luggage. Whilst specifying a vehicle with a diesel engine will slightly improve the fuel economy, a car with a petrol engine is still considered budget friendly. Air-conditioning usually comes as standard with intermediate and standard sized vehicles.
Full size
Example: MPV, SUV or People Carrier
Suitable for: 7 x Adults
Luggage space: 2 x Suitcases & 2 x Hand Luggage
‘Full size’ vehicles provide extra space and therefore extra leg room. They are ideal for larger parties and big families, or smaller groups travelling with extra luggage. The back seats can be folded down to make extra boot space if you require room for more than two suitcases. These vehicles are often a popular choice for long journeys as the extra space ensures everyone’s comfort.
Automatic or Manual?
Most car hire suppliers also offer the option of choosing an automatic or manual vehicle. However, automatic cars are rarely driven in Europe and are therefore likely to be more expensive. In North America or Australia on the other hand, you’re more likely to receive an automatic.
Get in touch
If you have any specific queries relating to a vehicle, you can call us on 0845 450 0877 or contact us via email here.
In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter below and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest travel tips and news.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Want our blogs emailed direct to you? Sign up below to get updates featuring our blogs and car hire top tips. Receive the best deals on car hire straight to your inbox.
