What Are The Safest Rental Cars to Reserve?

Heading out on a Labor Day Weekend adventure? Here’s a look at the safest rental cars to reserve for your friend or family get-away this week.

Our ranking of the safest rental cars in 2022

Now that summer is coming to a close, you’re probably itching to take advantage of the last three-day weekend of summer season. Whether that means flying to a tropical destination or packing up a vehicle full of camping gear, it’s crucial that you consider safety as part of your logistics.

For drivers, this means finding a rental car that meets all your needs while having enough safety tech to keep you and your passengers protected. After checking out various options on car rental company sites, we found that some of the safest rental cars available include:

• Ford Focus
• Toyota RAV4
• Hyundai Elantra
• Chrysler Pacifica
• Nissan Versa
• Chevrolet Cruze
• Jeep Compass

Each vehicle on our list was chosen according to price, utility, and safety, of course. 

If you’re considering a crossover or mid-size SUV, here’s your top choices:

Some groups require larger spaces and more cargo storage, designating that a sport utility model is the best way to go. On average, however, this type of rental will cost you more. In most cases, the bigger the vehicle, the more you’ll end up paying. Though your costs may increase when picking a SUV over sedan, it’s imperative to bear in mind safety.

Nissan Rogue

If you like to drive up higher and want peace of mind, the Nissan Rouge is hard to pass up. According to IIHS ratings, this four door SUV received Top Safety Pick+ award and earned Superior in all overall evaluations. Backed by Nissan’s Safety Shield Technology, the Rogue delivers the ideal rental experience. You get comfort and convenience coupled with advanced safety features.

And especially for families, we love that the Nissan Rogue boosts a Good+ score for Latch positions. Drivers with young infants or toddlers will feel secure knowing that the Rogue comes equipped with highly rated tether anchors designed for child safety.

Volkswagen Atlas

This premium crossover SUV seats up to 7 passengers and boosts a spacious cabin space for long trips. With an advanced rear view camera system, you’ll be able to navigate in and out of new spaces, facing no difficulties at all. However, the most impressive aspect of the VW Atlas is the intelligent crash response system.

Should you come into risk of a collision, the Atlas has a well-designed front and rear safety cage that will absorb most of the impact. Not to mention, it’s automatic post-collision braking will do everything in its power to keep passengers shielded from life-threatening injuries.

What cars get rented out the most?

When it comes to picking out a rental car, most drivers contemplate price and practicability. While a SUV might be the preferred option for many, sometimes budget can significantly limit your choices. The good news is car rental companies, like Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Sixt, have developed a reputation for providing a wide range of car brands and models.

You won’t feel limited by choices, but possibility by the availability at a specific company. As most travelers know, the difficulty of securing a rental car has become more troublesome in 2022. In part to low inventory and rising demand, the costs are up as well.

Yet that hasn’t stopped travelers.

When you get right down to it, two years of pandemic-induced shake-ups have left several people wanting to explore more. And in most instances, this requires renting a vehicle. Despite the setbacks, there are some tips and tricks for finding the safest rental cars available. Our first suggestion — stay away from the most requested models:

• Toyota Corolla
• Ford Mustang
• Jeep Wrangler
• Toyota Camry

Next, prioritize safety over size and brand name. Whether you end up in a Hyundai or Mercedes-Benz, it shouldn’t matter. The important part to remember is that this vehicle is not one you’re accustomed to driving. Which means, you’ll want all the modern safety features you can get.

Overall, reserving the safest rental cars often comes down to the driver’s preference. We urge every renter to consider safety along with price, no matter which car rental company you choose in 2022.