Are you planning a trip in the snow, driving off-road, or in harsh terrain? You might want to consider getting an all-wheel drive rental car! We explain what a 4×4 rental can master and what to look out for.
When you’re renting a car for unusual terrain or you know you’ll be facing extreme conditions, it pays to know more about certain car rental types and accessories. For example, you may be gearing up for a ski trip, so you may need a four-wheel or all-wheel drive rental car, a ski rack, and even winter tires and snow chains. Renting a car for a ski trip or any winter road trip that requires special planning doesn’t have to be complicated as long as you know the basics.
When to get a four-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive rental car
The first car you might think of for a trip like this is a rugged SUV, pickup truck, or station wagon with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). After all, you want to be as prepared as possible for the elements, and your worst-case scenario is being stuck on the side of the road in the cold. These vehicles can handle deep snow and off-pavement scenarios so you can drive comfortably in all conditions.
If you’re committed to getting a 4×4 rental car, book well in advance and prepare to pay more than what you would for a comparable front-wheel drive car. Start by searching for standard or full-size SUVs and trucks because many car rental companies and search engines won’t have a 4WD or AWD filter. It’s also best to look for a car from an airport location that serves a ski resort in the winter because the demand is highest there, and the fleet is likely to have multiple Jeeps or Audis, which are known for their 4WD and AWD cars.
Taking a front-wheel drive car in the snow
Although your first instinct may be to rent a rugged four-wheel drive car, you’ll be fine with a front-wheel drive car (FWD) with all-season tires for most trips. Untreated ice and snow on the road will make conditions dangerous, but most busy ski holiday destinations have well-maintained roads that make it safe for as many cars as possible.
Car rental companies generally don’t offer 4WD or AWD cars outside of special markets like areas near ski resorts anyway and prefer to rent out smaller cars with all-season tires because they have higher inventory of these cars. Renting one of these cars works is straightforward, and you won’t have any trouble booking last minute.
Do rental cars have snow tires?
Most car rental companies offer ski racks at locations near major ski resorts around the country for prices typically between $10 and $15 per day. Adding winter tires, or Mud & Snow (M&S) tires, is more difficult. Most rental car companies do not offer these tires, and they definitely don’t offer snow chains. You can’t attach your own chains to a rental car either, as they can cause damage to tires, rims, wheel covers, and fenders if they break or aren’t attached properly.
There are areas in the US like Yosemite in California where snow chains or cables are required during certain times of the year. Rental cars are not exempt from this requirement, even if they have all-season tires, and rental car companies don’t offer chains. Trips with these constraints require extra planning so keep that in mind.
Rules for rental car with snow tires in other countries
All of the rules for a snow car rental mentioned above apply for renting in the US, but the rules are significantly different in other parts of the world. Many countries actually require rental cars with snow tires by law, with pre-defined winter months where the law applies, and rules on whether the cars come pre-equipped with winter tires. In some countries, you have to request the tires and pay for them yourself, in other countries, it depends on the car rental company, and sometimes, it depends on the region of the country you’re in.
In Canada, for example, winter tires are required on rental cars during the winter months, which can stretch from October to April, depending on the region, and they come standard with your car in certain areas.
Getting all-wheel drive rental cars – other rough terrains
Snow is only one of the climates you can encounter on your trip. So what about rocky mountain roads and sand dunes? Not only in countries like Namibia or Canada is getting an all-wheel drive rental car a must when you plan a road trip. We also have plenty of harsh terrains in the US that will require you to rent an off-road vehicle.
Check beforehand if you are actually allowed to take your rental off-road though. Sometimes you will need to get special insurance, in other cases it is simply prohibited. Nevertheless, it can still be more comfortable to drive an all-wheel rental when it comes to rough conditions on the road.
