Is Turo Car Rental Any Good? (Top 5 Issues + Comparisons)
Unlike traditional car rentals, Turo is a car-sharing network, giving renters broader options to suit various needs at ultra-competitive prices.
Overall, Turo is better than other rental companies, but only if its drawbacks don’t apply to you.
Is Turo Car Rental Legit?
Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing app where renters can deal directly with car owners for any needs that deviate from what’s advertised.
Founded in 2010 and available in the US, Canada, and the UK, Turo is a legit car rental network that offers renters considerably more vehicle options at often lower prices than traditional rental services.
As long as you don’t need a one-way rental and the limited mileage suffices – the allowed miles are enough for the average renter – Turo provides a relatively hassle-free way to rent a car, whatever your destination.
Is Turo Car Rental Reliable?
Turo taps into the near-infinite pool of available cars (and car owners) in a location, so you can always find a vehicle that suits you.
Turo is a more reliable car rental option than traditional rental companies, as car owners have a business to protect by offering renters the best possible experience in their privately-owned vehicles.
As long as you opt for owners with a history of good reviews, your rental experience should be seamless.
Aside from a handful of owners that don’t turn up (you’re likelier not to have a car available at a rental company) or don’t keep their end of the bargain (rental companies are likelier to charge your credit card extras without prior notice), the entire Turo rental experience is smoother and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
From the car owners’ standpoint, however, renting out their cars on Turo carries a relatively higher risk as they cannot assess the renters beyond the age and driver’s license requirements.
Turo Car Rental Problems & Complaints:
The issues with Turo car rental cover the problems car owners and renters face, plus those relating to the platform.
#1 Hard-to-Reach Customer Service
Most Turo rentals are smooth, uneventful transactions, where the pickup and drop-off are problem-free and both parties meet their obligations according to the reservation.
However, some car owners are less reliable than others, in most cases, not showing up with the car at the scheduled pickup.
The owner typically doesn’t want to cancel for fear of incurring a cancellation fee, while the renter couldn’t cancel to make another booking.
Whether that was a temporary technical issue or otherwise, renters reported that they couldn’t reach Turo customer service via the phone or email to process a cancellation so they could book another car.
The failure to reach CS lasted several days, causing renters to worry about still incurring charges for the booking.
According to Turo customers, slow or poor customer service is a significant issue for this widely-used service.
#2 Car Owner Felt Cheated by Turo’s Insurance
In a peer-to-peer rental arrangement, the car owner inherently carries a higher risk as they rent their property to strangers they have little control over.
Car owners rely on the platform (the middleman) for protection in case of damages to the property they use for income.
Several owners claimed that even though they purchased the Turo insurance, the app company refused to compensate the owners, partially or in full, after they reported vehicle damages with photographic evidence.
Turo makes a claim to deny full or partial compensation, placing the onus on the car owners to prove otherwise.
Many people supported these reviews indicating that the problem isn’t an isolated case.
#3 Pre-Existing Car Damages
Despite taking photographs and video recordings of the vehicle at pickup and drop-off, some renters complained that the car owner filed a dispute for damages they didn’t cause.
The issues the renter faced include:
- Countering the claim within 24 hours with evidence, as Turo required.
- Only email support was available for such matters.
- Video evidence wasn’t supported because only certain file extensions were acceptable as attachments.
Apparently, Turo’s response is slow until you initiate a case with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
#4 Hidden Charges
While the nature of hidden charges varies, Turo users complained about receiving additional charges beyond what they anticipated.
Car renters should always adopt these practices whoever they rent from to avoid related extra fees:
- Take photos of the fuel gauge at the start and end of the rental.
- Take photos of the odometer to record the mileage reading at pickup and return.
- Take photos and videos of the car’s interior and exterior at pickup and drop-off.
- Clean the vehicle, especially before returning it.
Although overcharges and unsubstantiated claims are more common among corporate car rentals, Turo isn’t immune to the problem.
So, it’s best to cover all your bases, so you don’t pay through your nose for a supposedly affordable rental.
#5 One-Way Rental & Limited Mileage
Rather than problems with the rental experience, these are general drawbacks for users intending to use Turo for their trips.
Although dropping off the rental car at a different location is possible with a prior arrangement with the owner, it may not be feasible for the owner to accept a return at another place far from the pickup point.
Secondly, geographical and mileage limitations exist with Turo rentals as the cars are privately-owned vehicles, and they must return to the same location at the end of the rental.
An additional charge per mile over the limit is available for renters covering great distances, although they are typically reasonable, depending on the type of vehicle.
Turo will not suit renters on family vacations intending to visit different cities at both ends of the trip.
Turo vs. Other Car Rental Companies:
Turo vs. Alamo Car Rental
| TURO | ALAMO | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 837/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Moderate to Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $300-$400 for credit and debit cards; debit cards accepted only if accompanied by a ticketed return itinerary. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes; charges apply and vary depending on the location. Higher rental rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Available in all vehicle classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $5-$15/day, location dependent. Free for spouse or domestic partner. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | 21-24-year-olds pay approx. $25/day surcharge, location dependent. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $12/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes, crated. Service animals without carrier is OK. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Most US vehicles can travel into Canada. Exotics and vans may not travel outside the US. Most renting locations forbid travel into Mexico w/o additional insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. |
Pitting Turo against Alamo isn’t a like-for-like comparison as the former is a car-sharing network.
If you must choose one, Turo makes a better choice than Alamo should you want to rent an atypical make and model, lower rates, and don’t need a one-way rental.
But unlike Turo, Alamo rental vehicles come with unlimited mileage.
Turo vs. Avis Car Rental
| TURO | AVIS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 if you prepaid with a debit card. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes; charges and higher rates apply, and they vary depending on the location. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes; standard for most vehicle classes and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | NA |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11/day in Nevada, max. $65/rental. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Qualifying family members drive for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | 21-24-year-olds pay $28-$35/day surcharge, location dependent. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI pay $41-$84/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | Up to $14/day, depending on rental length. Must return the seat to the same location, or pay a $50 fee. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes, but keep the car clean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Can travel into Canada w/ prior arrangement; a Canadian non-resident insurance may be necessary. Can drive into Mexico only when renting from select Avis locations, through a corporate account, and with special Avis insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Comparing Turo versus Avis isn’t apples-to-apples, but Turo gives a better overall rental experience than Avis due to its greater vehicle types and availability and appreciably cheaper rates.
You can almost always find a rental car in any location with Turo.
Turo vs. Budget Car Rental
| TURO | BUDGET | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 807/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $250-$300 via credit or debit card hold. $100 for pre-paid rentals. Canadian rental holds are $500 for the 1st day and $75/day for each additional day. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes. Unauthorized different drop-off location incurs a minimum $45 fee. Some US locations allow one-way travel into Canada. No US rental drop off in Mexico. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes, for most vehicle classes, except Exotics and passenger vans. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | Approx. $0.25 per additional mile for cars with mileage limitation. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $3/day in New York, no max. $11-$13.75/day in Nevada, no max. $13/day in other States, max. $65/rental. Spouse or domestic partner drives for free. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | 21-24-year-olds pay a $27/day surcharge; 18 years old or older in New York and Michigan. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. Renters with service animals will not incur a cleaning fee if hair and stains aren’t excessive. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes, anywhere within the US. Can drive into Canada with prior Budget consent and non-resident insurance card. Can drive into Mexico only through corporate account and with a special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. |
Unlike traditional car rentals, Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing network.
Turo trumps Budget as the better option for most renters, except for those who need intercity drop-offs and unlimited miles.
Turo vs. Dollar Car Rental
| TURO | DOLLAR | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 786/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes, but a one-way drop fee may apply. Fee amount unavailable at reservation. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes; standard, except for some vehicles and locations. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | Determined at rental confirmation, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | Available at time of rental. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $13.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes. But keep the car clean, or risk a $50-$250 cleaning fee. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Allowed anywhere within the US and Canada, subject to geographic restrictions. Driving into Canada requires prior notice at the counter. Cannot drive into Mexico without Mexico Insurance at the rental counter. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. $400 de-smoking fee. |
Unlike most other rental companies, Dollar Car Rental does not reveal the extra charges for additional drivers and under-25 drivers on their online booking website.
Though a car-sharing service, Turo is better than Dollar for car renters, with infinitely more vehicles, including uncommon ones, at attractive daily rates.
Turo rentals may be mileage-limited, but the allocation will suffice for most travels, and the additional mile over the limit rates are reasonable.
Turo vs. Enterprise Car Rental
| TURO | ENTERPRISE | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 861/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $400-$850, depending on the vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes, but only at participating outlets. A one-way drop charge applies but varies by location. Higher rates may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes for most car classes. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | $0.10-$0.25 per additional mile, if applicable. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $5/day in New York. $15/day in other States. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $12/day; max $72/rental. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes, but crated. Cleaning fee may apply if unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Generally, no. But allowed for select pickup trucks in Enterprise truck rental locations. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes; anywhere within the US and Canada, except for Exotics and large vans. Can drive into Mexico with Enterprise’s special insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. |
Enterprise is one of the best traditional car rentals, while Turo stands out by providing renters with a peer-to-peer car-sharing network.
Opt for Enterprise if you need one-way rentals and unlimited mileage; for everything else, Turo is the ideal choice with attractive rates and vehicle availability in almost any destination.
Turo vs. Fox Car Rental
| TURO | FOX | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $150-$1,000, depending on the rental location, payment method, and vehicle class. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes, available between rental locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Washington only. One-way fee may apply. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes, all vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | Nil. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $5-$12.99/day per driver, depending on the location ($12.99 in most locations). Additional drivers not allowed on cash rentals. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | 21-24-year-olds pay $20/day surcharge. 18-20-year-olds in NY and MI states pay $25/day surcharge. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $10.99/day |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes, but cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Restrictions vary by State. Check each State’s policy for details. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. Cleaning fee applies. |
As Fox is a small car rental with limited locations and potentially deceptive low rates, renting on Turo for greater flexibility and vehicle selection is a straightforward decision.
If one-way rentals and unlimited miles aren’t necessary for your travel, Turo is ideal.
Turo vs. Hertz Car Rental
| TURO | HERTZ | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 826/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Pricey. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | Up to $200 for credit cards. Up to $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes, intercity fee applies. If change return location after rental started, a $10 return change fee applies. One-way return unavailable for Teslas. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes, for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $13.50/day per driver, max $189/rental per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | $19/day per driver. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $13.99 |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | Yes for vehicles with a tow bar. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes. Restrictions apply for driving into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. $400 cleaning fee. |
Hertz’s rental rates are usually higher than the private offers on Turo for comparable makes and models.
Opt for Turo over Hertz if you want to rent atypical makes and models and don’t need unlimited mileage.
Still, you must read the reviews on Turo to ensure the car owner has a good record of reliability and friendly service.
Turo vs. National Car Rental
| TURO | NATIONAL | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 852/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Pricey to Exorbitant. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $300-$400, depending on the rental location and vehicle class. $800 for luxury and performance vehicles. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes. Typically no drop charge for one-way rentals between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $15/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | Approx. $25/day, location-dependent and subject to specific car classes. Free for govt. employees on authorized govt. travels. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $12-$13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes, crated, except for service animals. If returned unclean, a cleaning fee may apply. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes, anywhere within the US and Canada. Limited rental locations allow travel into Mexico. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. |
National Car Rental is more upfront about the additional charges when booking on its website than other traditional rental companies.
Still, Turo is comparable in its pricing transparency, and its greater vehicle choices and lower daily rates should work better for most renters than National car rental.
Turo vs. Payless Car Rental
| TURO | PAYLESS | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $250 for credit cards. $300 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes, depending on the rental location. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes for most vehicles. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $13/day. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | $25/day. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $14/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes. $250 cleaning fee applies if returned unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes, but must notify the rental location first. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. $450 cleaning fee. |
Payless has the most attractive rates among traditional car rentals, but Turo betters Payless with even lower prices, an infinite selection of vehicles, and greater pricing transparency.
Turo vs. Sixt Car Rental
| TURO | SIXT | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | NA. |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Low. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | Minimum $200. $2,500 or more for the priciest vehicle group. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes. $0 between airport locations. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes for most vehicles, except for some sports and premium models. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | $0.55/mile or higher, vehicle-dependent. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $15/day. Free for renter’s spouse and immediate family members. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $15/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent. Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes. Cleaning fee applies if returned unclean; no cleaning fee for rental w/ service animal. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. |
Although Sixt offers attractive rates, Turo has even lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles in almost any location, making it the preferred option for most renters.
But if you need one-way rentals, opt for Sixt instead.
Turo vs. Thrifty Car Rental
| TURO | THRIFTY | |
| JD Power Satisfaction Study (830 industry avg.) | NA. | 768/1000 |
| Relative Rental Rate (v low, low, moderate, pricey, exorbitant) | Very low. | Moderate. |
| Range of Vehicles (1 to 5; 5 = extensive) | 5.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Fees transparency when booking on website. (1 to 5; 5 = most upfront) | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Website User Interface for easy navigation (1 to 5; 5 = best) | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Deposit | $200-$750, depending on car class and renter’s age. | $200 for credit cards. $500 for debit cards. |
| One-Way/ Drop Off at different Locations | Possible; must be within host’s pickup areas or radius. Fee applies. | Yes, at select locations. One-way drop fee applies. |
| Unlimited Miles | No. | Yes, standard. |
| Mileage Fee | Varies by host; typical range is $0.15-$0.50/mile. The priciest luxury or sports models can exceed $3/mile. | NA. |
| Additional Driver Fee | No. | $13.50/day per driver. |
| Under-25 Fee | 18-20-year-olds pay $50/day surcharge. 21-25-year-olds pay $30/day surcharge. 18-21-year-olds must buy the Minimum or Standard insurance. | Not disclosed. |
| Child Safety Seat Fee | Availability varies by host. Best to bring your own. | $13.99/day. |
| Allow Pet/Dog? | Prohibited in vehicles without a “pet-friendly” label and the host’s consent (rpd). Allows service animals. $150 + 3% processing fee for cleaning. | Yes. But $50-$250 cleaning fee if returned with damage or unclean. |
| Allow Towing? | No. | No. |
| Allow Out-Of-State? | Yes, within the US and Canada. Prohibits driving into Mexico. | Yes. Can cross into Mexico only with Mexico Insurance. |
| Allow Smoking? | No. $250 + 3% processing fee for violation. | No. $400 smoke cleaning fee will apply if evidence of smoking found. |
Turo is a better car rental service than Thrifty, as it has significantly more rental car choices in almost any destination. Turo also generally offers higher customer fulfillment, with excellent ratings on Consumer Affairs and Trustpilot.
However, go with Thrifty if you need to drop off the car at a different location and have unlimited mileage.
Turo Car Rental FAQs:
Does Turo Car Rental Have Unlimited Miles?
Turo rental cars are typically mileage-limited as they are privately owned, unlike those owned by corporate rental companies.
Does Turo Car Rental Charge for Mileage?
Turo vehicles have limited mileage for each rental, and going over that limit will incur fees for each additional mile; the mileage rate varies by the host.
Still, you’ll typically find extra mileage charges from $0.15/mile for compact cars to $0.60/mile for luxury models; electric cars do not stray from this range.
Does Turo Car Rental Allow Pets?
Renters (or guests) can transport their pets, including service animals, in Turo rental cars only if the vehicle has a “pet-friendly” label and the hosts gave their prior consent.
However, a $150 (plus 3%) cleaning fee may apply if the host reports a vehicle that has been returned unclean.
Does Turo Car Rental Allow Towing?
Turo prohibits towing or driving off-road with its rental vehicles.
Does Turo Car Rental Allow Out-Of-State Travel?
You can cross state lines, and driving within the US and Canada is generally permissible.
However, Turo prohibits driving into Mexico.
Does Turo Charge for Additional Drivers (incl. Spouse)?
Neither Turo car rental nor the vehicle host imposes an additional driver fee. However, the primary driver assumes all financial responsibility during the trip.
The additional driver shall create a Turo account and get Turo’s approval to drive before the primary driver adds the name to the trip; similar age and license requirements apply.
What Is Turo’s Cancellation Policy?
Turo offers a free-cancellation period with these conditions:
- Bookings 25 hours or more before trip start: free to cancel until 24 hours before the trip starts.
- Bookings less than 25 hours before trip start: free to cancel up to one hour after booking.
Free cancellation is also available upon inspecting the vehicle at trip start and finding it unclean and not disinfected, but the renter must:
- Not have checked in for the trip.
- Not have accepted the car.
- Contact Turo customer support immediately to report the issue.
However, if canceling outside the free cancellation period, renters can still obtain a partial refund if they process the cancellation themselves through the Turo website or app AND:
- Trip length more than 2 days: refund the full amount, minus one day’s average trip fee + 50% of any delivery fee.
- Trip length 2 days or less: refund the full amount, minus half of one day’s average trip fee + 50% of any delivery fee.
The renters must communicate all cancellations directly to the hosts in all cases.
The renter can get a partial refund (eligibility varies depending on the circumstances) if the renter fails to show up within a specified time from the trip start.
Whereas, if the host cancels or fails to show up within 30 minutes of the scheduled trip, the renter receives a full refund; the same applies if Turo cancels a trip.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/turo.html
