Spending the majority of the year traveling for work features some perks, chief among them is seeing new areas of the country. You also have the opportunity to drive numerous vehicles while frequenting rental lots. This provides a firsthand education about newer vehicles. You learn which are the most entertaining to drive around California, as well as which are uncomfortable on the highways of South Carolina. These 10 vehicles represent some of the best — and worst — rental cars we’ve driven on recent work trips.
No. 1 – Toyota 4Runner
A great vehicle for Montana in February, the Toyota 4Runner delivered ground clearance for navigating the snowy terrain. This particular model featured heated seats and available four-wheel-drive. We used the former as the temperature dipped to 16 below zero. Fortunately, the Department of Transportation kept the roads clear, so we did not have to use the four-wheel-drive.
No. 2 – Toyota Rav4
Another Toyota SUV joins the list as one of the best rental cars we’ve driven this year. This time, however, the Rav4 hit the city streets in Austin, Texas. The smaller SUV delivered comfort while navigating the city and the surrounding countryside, and the 2.5-liter engine had enough horsepower for highway speeds. The best part was the size, which made parking a breeze when seeking out the best food trucks.
No. 3 – Dodge Challenger (V6 model)
A muscle car with a V6 engine (not the one pictured above) does not impress the crowd focused solely on power. However, this particular rental car stood out for one important reason — it featured all-wheel drive. This became crucial while navigating the snowy Northwest in the middle of winter. This Challenger, which also had heated seats, easily navigated roads that the DOT had not yet cleared. It also easily met the 80 mph speed limit once we navigated to better-maintained roads.
No. 4 – Kia Forte
Sometimes, you don’t need a flashy car. You just need a rental that delivers enough power for highways, a decent ride, and great gas mileage. The newer Forte models — which Kia ultimately ditched for the K4 — offered all three. We drove various Fortes through Oregon, Washington, Florida, and Nevada. All of them did exactly what we needed.
No. 5 – Toyota Camry Hybrid
Another rental car that isn’t “flashy,” the Camry Hybrid delivers in multiple categories. The most obvious of these is the gas mileage, which became crucial on a trip from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Lincoln, Alabama. The Camry Hybrid had plenty of fuel in the tank after completing the 352-mile trip at speeds higher than recommended. It was comfortable during the long drive, and its sound system kept up with a wildly varied playlist.
No. 6 – Honda Civic Hatchback
On paper, the Honda Civic should be higher on the list. After all, the brand has a rock-solid reputation built on decades of performance and reliability. Unfortunately, the Civic hatchback we drove through Tennessee and Alabama was just unpleasant. It had a rougher ride than the Forte, and it didn’t smoothly accelerate through the gears. Extended time in this little car also resulted in back pain.
No. 7 – Chevrolet Camaro (V6 model)
The Chevrolet Camaro can shine in many different arenas. Downtown Los Angeles and Koreatown are not on this list. Both areas of the Southern California city have limited parking, especially for bulky muscle cars. The car’s limited visibility only makes these parts of the city more difficult to navigate.
The Camaro would probably delight us if we drove it on some windy, country roads or down by the beach. Unfortunately, our work required us to navigate the heart of the massive city. We also had no other options for rental cars due to the number of people traveling through Los Angeles International Airport that particular weekend.
No. 8 – Chevrolet Malibu
A staple of rental car lots across the country, the Chevrolet Malibu is reliable yet uninspiring. It delivered very good gas mileage while its suspension capably handled the rough roads of Indianapolis. Unfortunately, those were the bright spots. The odd angles of the interior pieces created an uncomfortable driving position, and the car struggled at certain highway speeds.
No. 9 – Scion XB
Part SUV/part station wagon, the Scion XB did not make for a great rental car. Sure, it had plenty of cargo space, but its 158-horsepower engine did not work particularly well on long drives through North and South Carolina. The 24 mpg (combined) also prompted multiple stops for fuel as the XB only delivered a little more than 300 miles on a full tank.
No. 10 – Chevrolet Spark
We have traveled to Kansas multiple times for work. We have had to drive the exact same Chevrolet Spark every single time. It almost feels personal at this point.
This little hatchback does not have anything going for it. It’s small, uncomfortable, and underpowered. It struggles to reach 65 mph, and it veers all over the road whenever a larger vehicle drives by in the fast lane.