Full size or standard? Which rental car is best for you? - Guardian Rent A Car (2024)

Whenever anyone travels, they’re faced with a whole slew of decisions to make. Not only are they deciding where they want to go, but they’re also trying to figure out where they’ll eat, where they’ll stay, which flight to take, whether to fly or drive and more. One of the decisions you’ll have to make is what kind of rental car you’ll want to use.

Usually – this boils down to a choice between two types of cars: Standard rental cars and full-sized rental cars. Now bear in mind, some companies have other classifications – mid-sized, compact, etc. – so these aren’t ‘standard’ so to speak. But at the end of the day, branding, make, model and all – you’re going to have to decide whether you want a bigger car or a smaller car.

Standard rental cars

Also known as Mid-size or intermediate, standard rental cars usually fit about 4-5 people comfortably with some additional space for luggage. They get outstanding gas mileage and are easy for just about any traveler to handle.

Full size rental cars

Full size rental cars are typically bigger and more spacious. Although most commonly associated with them – Full-size does not always mean ‘SUV’. They’re more correctly defined as larger, four door passenger vehicles that seat up to five passengers with plenty of space for luggage. There’s more leg room and space, making them the perfect choice for long trips with other people.

They tend to run you a little more money – as it costs more to fuel them and they typically only get around 23-30 miles per gallon. It really comes down to whether you want comfort or care more about your budget.

What should I go with?

At the end of the day, what matters most is your trip and the purpose behind it. If it’s to take your time, relax and have fun, then plunking the $25 or so extra for the bigger, more comfortable car is worth it. Or – if you know you’ll be driving around a lot.

A smaller car is probably a better idea if you’re not going to be driving much and simply want something to get you from A to B. It’s probably better for you in an urban environment, too – as it’s smaller size will be able to help you navigate the sometimes tricky contours of your average city.

By contrast, the full-size car is probably a better bet if you’re heading into the countryside or going camping. It’ll be better able to handle the rougher conditions, go more places and give you that little bit extra comfort.

In the end, it’s all your call. It’s your trip, so make the best choice for you! Safe travels!

Full size or standard? Which rental car is best for you? - Guardian Rent A Car (2024)

FAQs

Is full-size or standard rental car better? ›

Passenger comfort: Due to their smaller size, standard cars may not offer the same level of passenger comfort as larger vehicles. Rear-seat passengers, in particular, may experience more limited legroom and less spacious seating arrangements.

What is the difference between a standard and full-size car Avis? ›

A standard vehicle is usually smaller than a full-size car and features better fuel economy. A standard car generally has 4-cylinder engine, whereas a full-size car usually has a V6 engine.

What does standard mean for car rental? ›

What is a standard car rental? A standard car rental is a larger sedan, which provides more room for passengers and can fit an additional bag in the trunk compared to an intermediate car.

Is a full-size car bigger than a standard SUV? ›

A Full-size car is the largest car, not an SUV, truck, or van. These are cars with bigger luggage space compared with standard or intermediate. It is excellent for four to five passengers for long drives.

What is the purpose of a full-size car? ›

Intended to cart around the entire family, full-size cars not only provide spacious seats, but also a lot of cargo room. Adults will be comfortable regardless of where they are sitting, and parents should have no trouble installing or removing car seats thanks to the large door openings.

What is an example of a standard size rental car? ›

Standard car rental examples include: Volkswagen Jetta. Ford Fusion. Buick Verano.

How many people fit in a full-size rental car? ›

Generally, the different types of car class are: Compact/Economy – four seats, ideal for two adults and two children. Mid-Size – five seats, can fit four adults and one child. Full-Size (Premium, Luxury, or SUV cars) – five seats, suitable for five adults.

Is standard or midsize rental car better? ›

When it comes to the midsize vs standard car, it's all about how much you will pack in the back. A Standard car is best for up to four people with a normal amount of packing. The intermediate or midsize car, on the other hand, is best for shorter trips with less baggage, like minimalist packing.

What is considered a full-size car? ›

Full-size vehicles have an interior volume, measured by combined cargo and passenger volume, of more than 120 cubic feet for sedans or 160 cubic feet for station wagons. The Chevrolet Impala was sold as a full-size car from 1958-1986, 1994-1996, and 2000-2020, and was the highest-selling full-size vehicle.

What type of car is rented the most? ›

Based on recent data and market insights, we've compiled a list of the top 10 most rented cars in 2023.
  • Toyota Corolla. At the top of the list for the third year in a row is the Toyota Corolla. ...
  • Nissan Altima. ...
  • Chevrolet Equinox. ...
  • Ford Fusion. ...
  • Honda CR-V. ...
  • Toyota Camry. ...
  • Kia Optima. ...
  • Jeep Cherokee.
Sep 19, 2023

What does standard vehicle mean? ›

Standard car may refer to: A mid-size car or full-size car, or a vehicle size class in between those two. A car with manual transmission. A car manufactured by the Standard Motor Company.

Is a Toyota Corolla a compact car? ›

The Toyota Corolla (Japanese: トヨタ・カローラ, Hepburn: Toyota Karōra) is a series of compact cars (formerly subcompact) manufactured and marketed globally by the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation.

What is the point of a full-size SUV? ›

Towing and Cargo Space

Among the 3 types of SUVs, only the full-size SUV can really handle towing and other heavy-hauling jobs. Aside from trucks, they are the only other vehicle classification that can manage to tow bigger items such as trailers that contain boats, large animals, or sometimes other vehicles.

Why are full-size SUVs so expensive? ›

However, in recent years, their prices have skyrocketed, making them less accessible to the average consumer. This increase can be attributed to several factors, including advancements in technology, higher manufacturing costs, and the introduction of luxury features.

Why are full-size SUVs so popular? ›

Americans love SUVs for a plethora of reasons. First, the monstrous vehicles are large and offer mega horsepower in order to lug around the hefty cars. Second, a higher sitting position offers increased visibility. Third, the cars are spacious and can hold up to eight passengers.

What is the difference between standard intermediate and full-size rental cars? ›

standard car? An intermediate car rental is smaller than a standard car, but bigger than a compact car. The smaller size allows for an easier time parking and greater fuel economy in comparison to a standard car.

What is the difference between full-size and premium rental car? ›

When comparing a premium vs. a full-size car rental, note that these vehicles are often similar in size. In our fleet both the full-size and premium car group vehicles seat 5 passengers and hold 4 bags. However our premium car rentals are more luxurious and are likely to offer more features for your comfort.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Horacio Brakus JD

Last Updated:

Views: 6741

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Horacio Brakus JD

Birthday: 1999-08-21

Address: Apt. 524 43384 Minnie Prairie, South Edda, MA 62804

Phone: +5931039998219

Job: Sales Strategist

Hobby: Sculling, Kitesurfing, Orienteering, Painting, Computer programming, Creative writing, Scuba diving

Introduction: My name is Horacio Brakus JD, I am a lively, splendid, jolly, vivacious, vast, cheerful, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.