With the advancement of the internet and AI, even theBad English.Or if you are not familiar with the United States, traveling to California by car is no longer a difficult task. Travelers can learn about the reviews of various U.S. car rental companies from the articles shared on the Internet,Car Rental Procedure, Transportation RulesAnd so on, but when it comes to choosing your own car, there is still some confusion, but no one to ask. What is a Sedan and what is the difference between Midsize and Fullsize?Driving in Los AngelesWhat is the best car to rent when traveling? Therefore, this article will provide car rental recommendations and cautions for different types of trips, from road trips, national parks (mountain roads), urban mobility, to skiing vacations, business trips/commuting, and other five types of trips.
Highlight the finishing touches:
Recommended Car Models for U.S. Car Rental in English and Chinese
Confused about what kind of car to rent?
Firstly, we will provide the English and Chinese versions of the car by function:
- Hybrid: Combining fuel and battery power, it is fuel efficient and suitable for long distance traveling.
- Electric vehicles: all-electric, no refueling required, free charging in some states
- AWD (all wheel drive): automatically distributes power to all four wheels for rain, snow or light off-road use.
- Convertible (not necessarily a sports car): the roof can be lifted manually or automatically.
- Sport car: a car characterized by high performance, driving pleasure and power.
The following chart lists the most common car models found on the US car rental company's website, from low to high prices, from small to large, including the number of passengers and luggage that each model can accommodate, as well as recommended travel styles that are suitable for them, so that the average traveler will have a better idea of what to look for when choosing a car.
*Note: Sedan is a generic term for a sedan (usually four-door).
For these general types of cars, if they are not specifically labeled, the car rental companies usually match the brands of Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Ford, Subaru, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen （Volkswagen, etc. In addition to this, it is common to see Premium and Luxury options on car rental agency websites, where the brands of vehicles covered by these options are upgraded to Lexus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Maserati. When booking a car on a rental car company's website, travelers can only choose a "car class", and the actual car they rent is based on the rental car company's on-site deployment. In addition, there are different brands of electric cars in the U.S., so choosing an electric car doesn't necessarily mean you're renting a Tesla!
🚧 Warm reminder: sometimes there is no equivalent vehicle on the scene, the counter staff will ask if you want to upgrade to a higher level of the car, this time not very happy first directly agreed, or to confirm whether to increase the cost of the insurance coverage, there are no otherPrivacy Feeetc.
Recommended U.S. Car Rental Models by Travel Style
After understanding the different models and car types, we should then consider our own trip planning, travel type, number of people, or business trips, as well as long-term and short-term car rental situation, the following is divided into five categories of road trips, national parks (outdoor mountain roads), urban mobility, skiing vacations, business trips, or commuting, etc., respectively, to provide the recommended models of cars and attention when choosing a car.
Road Trip - long distance driving, comfortable and easy to operate
A U.S. road trip can take more than five hours a day, so it's important to keep the driver and passengers comfortable in the car, but most U.S. highways are flat and large, so you don't need to have a fancy car to afford it. The most important things to consider are the number of passengers, the amount of luggage, and the choice of a more fuel-efficient vehicle, otherwise the cost of gas over a long distance can be substantial.
Recommended Vehicles:
- Economy, Compact→ Fuel-efficient, flexible, more affordable, suitable for groups of up to four people with little luggage.
- Mid-size sedan → It is comfortable and can hold a lot of luggage. Families and friends with more than three adults can ride together comfortably.
Attention:
- Consider how much easier it would be to take a long road trip in a vehicle with a driver's aid.
- Choose a car with unlimited mileage to avoid having to pay a large extra fee for exceeding the mileage.
- It's best to have Carplay and GPS in your car, so it's easier to view maps on long road trips.
- If you choose an electric car, you can save a lot of money on gas, but you need to know the power stations along the way to avoid running out of power in the middle of the drive.
National Parks Outdoor Exploration - Safe and Stable, Overcoming Mountain Conditions
National parks and state parks in the U.S. have beautiful scenery. Famous national parks around California include Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, etc. However, many of the roads are mountainous and not as easy to drive as the highway, so it is recommended to choose a durable, safe and stable vehicle to ensure a safe journey. However, many of the roads are mountainous and not as easy to drive as the highway, so it is recommended to choose a durable, safe and stable car to ensure a safe trip.
Recommended Vehicles:
- Full Size→ More power, safety, and stability.
- If you have the budget, you can choose a medium to large-sized RV → it is better to drive on mountain roads, has enough space for a comfortable ride, and you don't have to worry about parking in the countryside or in national parks.
- Four-wheel drive → Most well-known national parks have good roads and don't necessarily require AWD.
Attention:
- Confirm in advance which areas the rental car company will allow access to, and some rental car companies are restricting access to unpaved roads.
- Prepare (download) an offline map, many national parks have no signal.
- Check if you need to add snow chains or choose a four-wheel drive model when traveling in winter.
Extended Reading:12 U.S. Car Rental Extras Plus Service Charges
C. City Moves (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego) - Easy Parking, Flexible Driving
If you move mainly in big cities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where traffic is congested and parking is expensive, it's more practical to choose a smaller car that gets low gas mileage and is easy to park.
Recommended Vehicles:
- Compact car (Economy / Compact) → easy to park, flexible and easy to drive, low-profile models, less likely to become the target of car thieves.
- Hybrid → Energy saving, emission reduction, fuel saving, less fuel consumption in traffic jams
Attention:
- When booking a hotel, check if there is free parking or increased night parking, otherwise the parking fee may be quite expensive.
- existDowntown San FranciscoYou may also want to consider not renting a car and taking an Uber or public transportation instead.
- If you are unskilled or easily nervous, you can avoid peak hours, especially duringLos AngelesRegional highways are heavily trafficked and congested during the commute to and from work.
IV. Ski vacation - snow safety, lots of luggage and equipment
Skiing is becoming more and more popular, and travelers who plan to visit ski resorts such as Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, and Big Bear need to make sure that their vehicle has the ability to drive on snow. Usually, skiing trips involve a lot of equipment and luggage, so you may want to consider a vehicle with more luggage space.
Recommended Vehicles:
- Four-wheel drive (AWD) models → safer driving in the snow
- Medium to large SUV, 7-seater (Minivan) → lots of luggage space, more comfortable for multiple occupants
Attention:
- When renting a car, check to see if snow chains are available for rent. Some areas make the use of snow chains mandatory, while some car rental companies make the addition of snow chains mandatory.
- The range of electric vehicles decreases rapidly in low temperatures, and it is not recommended to rent an electric vehicle when traveling to snowy areas in winter.
- Avoid hard braking and rapid acceleration in snowy conditions to ensure safety.
Business trip or commuting - fuel-efficient and easy to park, comfortable and stable.
Business people who come to the U.S. for short-term business trips may need to commute, travel to and from clients' companies, and travel to conference venues, etc. Some tend to prefer comfortable, fuel-efficient vehicles, while others need more tactful, high-quality luxury vehicles.
Recommended Vehicles:
- Intermediate/midsize sedan→ A car that combines safety, comfort and image with low fuel consumption. Most business people don't need much luggage space, so it's convenient to travel to and from the city.
- Premium/Luxury→ If you need to maintain a certain status, you can choose a higher-end luxury or premium car.
Attention:
- Long-term rental options are usually more cost-effective than short-term rentals; ask the rental company if they offer discounts.
- Choosing a hybrid vehicle can effectively reduce fuel costs.
- If you will be traveling frequently in and out of the city, choosing a smaller model will make parking less difficult.
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Recommend the most suitable U.S. car rental for your mode of travel!
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