14 Major US Car Rental Companies (Compared & Ranked)
With the various car rentals available, deciding which providers offer the best value-for-money, the right price for your budget, or a reliable service that won’t nickel and dime you can be challenging.
Even the most trusted companies aren’t perfect, but comparing them will provide you with an idea of which service can give you the smoothest rental experience.
The 14 Car Rental Companies Comparison
The information in the table below came from primary sources – i.e., the review sites and car rentals’ corporate websites for online reservations.
Do check with the respective car rentals from time to time for the latest rates and fees.
Table Guide:
- JD Power – latest customer satisfaction study (X/1,000).
- Consumer Affairs – average consumer reviews rating.
- Trustpilot – average consumer reviews rating.
- Locations – total rental locations worldwide.
- Price – relative rental rates (very low; low; moderate; pricey; exorbitant).
- Car Range – extent of vehicles available (1 to 5; 5 = extensive).
- Online Fee Transparency – when booking on the website (1 to 5; 5=most upfront).
- Deposit – as stipulated on their websites; car type dependent.
- Extra Driver – fee /driver /day (typically free for spouse/domestic partner).
- Under-25 – fee /driver /day; varies by State.
- NA – not available.
| JD Power | Consumer Affairs | Trustpilot | Locations | Price | Car Range | Online Fees Transparency | Deposit | Extra Driver | Under 25 | |
| Ace | NA | 3.8/5 | 1.6/5 | 300+ | Low | 2.5/5 | 1.5/5 | $200-$500 | NA | NA |
| Advantage | NA | 2.9/5 | 1.2/5 | 6 | Very low | 2.0/5 | 2.0/5 | $350 or 25% of rental | $10 | $25-$100 |
| Alamo | 837 | 3.0/5 | 2.0/5 | 1,100+ | Moderate to Pricey | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 | $300-$400 | $5-$15 | $25 |
| Avis | 826 | 3.7/5 | 1.3/5 | 5,500 | Pricey | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 | $250-$300 | $3-$13 | $28-$84 |
| Budget | 807 | 3.5/5 | 1.4/5 | 2,700 | Moderate | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 | $250-$300 | $3-$13 | $27 |
| Dollar | 786 | 3.6/5 | 3.0/5 | 2,300+ | Moderate | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 | $200-$500 | $13.50 | NA |
| Enterprise | 861 | 3.8/5 | 2.3/5 | 7,600+ | Pricey | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 | $400-$850 | $5-$15 | $25 |
| Fox | NA | 3.6/5 | 3.8/5 | 100+ | Low | 2.5/5 | 3.0/5 | $150-$1,000 | $5-$12.99 | $20-$25 |
| Hertz | 826 | 3.7/5 | 4.3/5 | 8,500+ | Pricey | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 | $200-$500 | $13.50 | $19 |
| National | 852 | 3.9/5 | NA | 1,500+ | Pricey to Exorbitant | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | $300-$400 | $15 | $25 |
| Payless | NA | 1.3/5 | 1.5/5 | 120 | Low | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 | $250-$300 | $13 | $25 |
| Sixt | NA | NA | 1.3/5 | 2,000 | Low | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 | Min. $200 | $15 | NA |
| Thrifty | 768 | 3.6/5 | 3.5/5 | 1,000+ | Moderate | 2.5/5 | 3.0/5 | $200-$500 | $13.50 | NA |
| Turo | NA | 3.8/5 | 4.6/5 | Near-infinite | Very low | 5.0/5 | 4.5/5 | $200-$750 | $0 | $30-$50 |
These car rental companies cover a broad range of prices, suitable for various budgets, needs, and service expectations.
Still, the rental rate alone may not reflect service quality and reliability.
Each car rental has its pros and cons. However, the more reputable ones like Enterprise and National are likelier to attend to your needs and problems than smaller ones with minimal market presence and agents whose top priority is anything but you.
Visit the individual posts below for more details on each service provider’s common issues and questions:
Most Trusted & Reliable Car Rentals (Ranked)
Table Guide:
- JD Power – latest customer satisfaction study (X/1,000).
- Consumer Affairs – average consumer reviews rating.
- Trustpilot – average consumer reviews rating.
- NA – not available.
| Rank | Car Rental | JD Power | Consumer Affairs | Trustpilot |
| #1 | Enterprise | 861 | 3.8/5 | 2.3/5 |
| #2 | National | 852 | 3.9/5 | NA |
| #3 | Alamo | 837 | 3.0/5 | 2.0/5 |
| #4 | Avis | 826 | 3.7/5 | 1.3/5 |
| #5 | Hertz | 826 | 3.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
| #6 | Budget | 807 | 3.5/5 | 1.4/5 |
| #7 | Dollar | 786 | 3.6/5 | 3.0/5 |
| #8 | Thrifty | 768 | 3.6/5 | 3.5/5 |
| #9 | Turo | NA | 3.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| #10 | Fox | NA | 3.6/5 | 3.8/5 |
| #11 | Ace | NA | 3.8/5 | 1.6/5 |
| #12 | Advantage | NA | 2.9/5 | 1.2/5 |
| #13 | Payless | NA | 1.3/5 | 1.5/5 |
| #14 | Sixt | NA | NA | 1.3/5 |
No major review sites provide customer reviews of all car rentals.
Still, considering the aggregate reviews, customer satisfaction, and JD Power’s annual survey, Enterprise remains the most trusted and reliable car rental in North America, with National a close second.
Unsurprisingly though, both car rental brands are under Enterprise Holdings’ ownership (rpd).
They are also two of the most expensive rental providers, putting it out of the average renter’s reach with a modest budget.
Cheapest & Priciest Car Rentals (Ranked)
Table Guide:
- Price – relative rental rates (very low; low; moderate; pricey; exorbitant).
- Online Fee Transparency – when booking on the website (1 to 5; 5=most upfront).
- Deposit – as stipulated on their websites; car type dependent.
- Extra Driver – fee /driver /day (typically free for spouse/domestic partner).
- Under-25 – fee /driver /day; varies by State.
- NA – not available.
| Rank | Car Rental | Price | Online Fees Transparency | Deposit | Extra Driver | Under 25 |
| #1 | Turo | Very low | 4.5/5 | $200-$750 | $0 | $30-$50 |
| #2 | Fox | Very low | 3.0/5 | $150-$1,000 | $5-$12.99 | $20-$25 |
| #3 | Payless | Very low | 3.5/5 | $250-$300 | $13 | $25 |
| #4 | Advantage | Low | 2.0/5 | $350 or 25% of rental | $10 | $25-$100 |
| #5 | Sixt | Low | 4.0/5 | Min. $200 | $15 | NA |
| #6 | Ace | Low | 1.5/5 | $200-$500 | NA | NA |
| #7 | Dollar | Moderate | 3.5/5 | $200-$500 | NA | NA |
| #8 | Thrifty | Moderate | 3.0/5 | $200-$500 | NA | NA |
| #9 | Budget | Moderate | 3.5/5 | $250-$300 | $3-$13 | $27 |
| #10 | Alamo | Moderate to Pricey | 4.0/5 | $300-$400 | $5-$15 | $25 |
| #11 | Enterprise | Pricey | 4.0/5 | $400-$850 | $5-$15 | $25 |
| #12 | Hertz | Pricey | 3.5/5 | $200-$500 | $13.50 | $19 |
| #13 | Avis | Pricey | 3.5/5 | $250-$300 | $3-$13 | $28-$84 |
| #14 | National | Pricey to Exorbitant | 4.5/5 | $300-$400 | $15 | $25 |
Rental rates fluctuate according to low and peak travel seasons, but the relative pricing difference between car rentals stays somewhat consistent.
Though a car-sharing network, Turo is the cheapest car rental, followed by traditional service providers like Fox and Payless.
Depending on the make and model of choice, Advantage, Sixt, and Ace car rentals also offer attractive rates.
Cars like Nissan Versa, Volkswagen Jetta, and Toyota Camry are some of these providers’ most affordable rental cars.
At the other end of the price spectrum, National car rental is the most expensive company, with consistent service excellence and high customer satisfaction among its pluses.
Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis also have high rental rates, but their daily rates for comparable models at National typically aren’t as expensive.
Although rental rates are a strong indication of the total you’ll eventually pay, it is crucial to factor in taxes, additional driver fees, under-25 surcharges, child safety seats, toll charges, and other add-ons.
Plus, if you aren’t careful with the upsells and the rental contract you sign (paper or electronic), you risk overcharges and a long battle with the rental company over unanticipated high bills.
References:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/car_rental.html
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-north-america-rental-car-satisfaction-study
