Rental Car Reviews

[Adam]

Car: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Date Rented: 2/25/18
Location Rented: BWI
Rental Company: Avis
Powertrain: 290 HP / 260 lb-ft 3.6L NA V6 with 8A
Highs: Excellent seats, adjustable lumbar. Good sound system. Power ports and USB plugs everywhere. Customizable center section of the gauge cluster. Rides like a car. "SAT-NAV".
Lows: Mediocre engine performance. Needed to be wound out for acceleration/no low-end torque (needs more V8). 8-speed automatic is very unrefined in this example. Electronic throttle calibration is terrible. U-connect. Fuel economy? (21 MPG indicated).
Fun facts: You can change from KPH to MPH in a menu in the cluster. This does not change the fuel economy readout. That is done through a buried menu in the info-tainment system. 6 stereo-related buttons on the rear of the steering wheel with no clear indication as to what they do w/o trial and error.
Other notable cars available: Didn't check.
Would I rent again? Yes, this SUV carried three of us and all our luggage and tools from BWI to PVD in the recent storm after our flights were cancelled.

[Adam]

Car: 2017 Hyundai Elantra
Date Rented: 1/30/18
Location Rented: BWI
Rental Company: Avis
Powertrain: Lame
Highs: Good gas mileage? Driving from BWI to Bethesda and back had me at 38+ MPG indicated in medium-density traffic. I valet parked it at the fancy hotel I stayed at.
Lows: Everything else. Everything about this car feels cheap.
Other notable cars available: None. They told me I could have the Hyundai or wait for whatever it is I should have had. I opted to not wait. Lesson learned?
Would I rent again? Not on purpose.

I should note that during some of the extended at-speed highway sections the instantaneous fuel economy gauge stayed in the high 40's. This car kinda makes sense as an inexpensive (I hope) commuter which has enough space for rear-facing child seats in the back. It had power windows, A/C and AUX-in. Everything a commuter car needs? FYI the internet says this car starts at $20K. Seems like a lot to me, but normal people might think that is a great deal.

[Bob]

I think the Elantra could be an acceptable used car buy for many people since Hyundai/Kia resale value and market perception is still lagging their actual quality / usefulness as cars.

[Adam]

Car: 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Date Rented: 4/1/18
Location Rented: JAX
Rental Company: Avis
Powertrain: Some hybrid garbage with CVT, see Kevin's review.
Highs: Fuel economy? Over several hundred miles I averaged 38mpg. That's carrying 3-4 people plus equipment with Eco mode off driving 85mph. Not terrible.
Lows: Base interior, base Sync infotainment system, mediocre straight line performance, reduced trunk room compared to the non-hybrid model, Eco mode ruins throttle response and shift calibration.
Fun facts: It actually drives pretty good when not in Eco mode, but is quickly let down by the Michelin Eco X Green tires. Depending on speed, the gas engine can shut down on the highway resulting in EV operation at highway speed.
Other notable cars available: Hyundai Sonata
Would I rent again? The non-hybrid Platinum version perhaps.

[Bob]

I was in Jacksonville a couple weeks ago and I was fortunate enough to score a Hemi Challenger at National. I think the National employee could sense the disappointment on my face when I saw what was available on the Executive Aisle. He quickly said, "Hey, do you want to drive something fun?" and directed me towards a black Challenger R/T. I have rented the Hemi Charger/Challenger many times in the past so I'll spare you the review, but it was still a lot of fun. I particularly like how it gets off the line. Roll on acceleration is a little bit disappointing, but it sounds great.

[kevm14]

That Charger R/T did have some of the most satisfying modern car throttle response.

[Bob]

Yes, I felt like it really snapped off the line.

[kevm14]

More specifically, it reminded me the most of my Caprice in terms of the tip-in feel. None of my other stuff has that kind of direct link. It almost feels like the throttle is directly connected to the rear axle. I don't know that it makes up for other reasons that I don't like the Charger but it is a big accomplishment nonetheless. In an alternate universe I could have replaced my Caprice with a Charger R/T (no STS or Roadmaster). Not this universe though.

[Adam]

Car: 2018 Nissan Frontier SV
Date Rented: 6/4/18
Location Rented: BWI
Rental Company: Avis
Powertrain: 261hp 4.0L V6 w/5A
Highs: Got me to the places I was going.
Lows: Turning radius, power-train makes a lot of noise, no features, terrible fuel economy (~17mpg in Beltway traffic).
Fun facts: This car has no keyless entry. Also, like all Nissans, the Bluetooth performance is terrible.
Other notable cars available: Nothing good.
Would I rent again? Not on purpose.

[kevm14]

The Frontier is old as hell.