Planning a driving trip off-road, in the snow, or in other harsh terrain? Then an ordinary road car may not cut it. Choosing an all wheel drive rental car can make your journey smoother, but with so many different makes and models it can be hard to know which to pick.
In this article
What is an AWD rental car?
AWD vs. 4WD: what’s the difference?
What rental vehicles are AWD?
Where can I drive a 4WD or AWD rental car?
What types of 4WD and AWD rental cars are available?
How to verify your rental car is AWD at pickup.
How to use the 4WD and AWD rental car filters on KAYAK.
AWD rental car FAQ.
If you’re planning a road trip into rough terrain, it pays to know the types of car available to rent. Accessories and add-ons can also play a major role in keeping you and your vehicle safe in harsh conditions.
Say you’re gearing up for a ski trip where you know the roads will be icy or snow-covered. You could consider getting an all wheel drive (AWD) or 4×4 (4WD) rental car. But you may also need a ski rack, winter tires, and snow chains. Knowing what works best in different conditions and what accessories are available from rental companies will save you hassle and help keep you motoring along in all conditions.
What is an AWD rental car?
An AWD rental car sends power to all four wheels simultaneously, providing better grip and stability in adverse conditions. These vehicles are ideal for driving on wet roads, light snow, gravel, and other challenging but paved surfaces.
AWD vs. 4WD: what’s the difference?
Think of a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle and you’ll likely imagine a rugged jeep, SUV or pickup truck. Which you choose will determine where you can go and in what conditions. But not all so-called off road capabilities are the same.
It’s important to know the terrain you’ll be tackling to avoid getting stuck or, if you’re somewhere remote, stranded. AWD vehicles like SUVs are primarily for driving on the road. They can handle tougher conditions than normal – snow, ice, mud or rough surfaces, but aren’t off-roaders. 4WD vehicles are at their best at low speed off-road, where you need serious ground clearance to traverse obstacles.
Here’s a quick overview of the right vehicle type for the different kinds of terrain you may encounter.
There are fewer AWD and 4×4 rental cars available compared to standard road-going cars. Book well in advance and prepare to pay more than you would for a front-wheel drive car.
Many car rental companies and search engines don’t offer a 4WD or AWD filter. Instead, search for standard or full-size SUVs or trucks, as these usually offer AWD or 4WD capabilities. Renting from locations close to tougher terrain – like airports near ski resorts – will give you more choice. Demand is often high here so the rental companies are likely to have lots of Jeeps, Audis and other marques known for their all and four wheel drive cars.
What rental vehicles are AWD?
AWD capability is most commonly found in the following rental car classes:
- Compact SUV: Smaller crossovers like the Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Crosstrek often come with AWD as standard or optional.
- Standard SUV: Mid-size options like the Ford Edge or Jeep Grand Cherokee frequently offer AWD configurations.
- Full-size SUV: Larger vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition are commonly available with AWD or 4WD.
- Premium crossover: Luxury models from brands like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes often feature AWD systems.
- Pickup trucks: Many full-size trucks offer 4WD capability, which can be useful for towing or rough terrain.
When booking, look for SUV or crossover categories, as these are most likely to include AWD options. Not all vehicles in these classes are AWD, so confirm with the rental company before finalizing your reservation.
Where can I drive a 4WD or AWD rental car?
Most rental car companies forbid off-road driving and towing in their vehicles to limit the potential for damages. You’ll find this communicated clearly in your rental contract. Beware that many rental cars have GPS trackers so the rental company can see where you’ve been.
If you break this rule, get caught or damage the car, you risk big fines and getting banned from renting in the future. In this scenario, your rental car insurance, personal auto insurance, and whatever damage waiver you bought won’t cover your damages.
In most cases, you’ll never need to drive off road. Dirt and gravel tracks and mountainous or snow bound roads are usually fine to drive on. If in doubt, check with the company before choosing your AWD or 4×4 car rental.
If you’re really taking a car off the beaten track, you should know how to drive off-road. Consider taking a short off-road driving course to prepare you for different conditions. Not only will they make you a safer and better driver, they’re also brilliant fun!
Duncan Madden, travel writer.
Driving in the snow.
Your first instinct may be to get a more expensive 4×4 rental car for driving in snow. In truth, a front-wheel drive (FWD) car with all-season tires will be fine for all but the worst road conditions. In most places where roads are subject to snow and ice, you’ll find them to be well gritted and maintained. Think ski resorts, mountain viewpoints and restaurants.
With limited inventories for 4WD and AWD cars, rental companies often prefer to offer standard FWD cars equipped with the right winter tires. Typically, they know the areas and conditions their cars will be driven in and choose their vehicles accordingly. Renting a FWD car is straightforward, cheaper and you won’t have any trouble booking last minute.
Do rental cars have snow tires?
If the rental company is located near an area of the US prone to snowy and icy roads, like a ski resort, they will likely offer snow tires. It’s also commonplace for most major rental companies in the US to feature all-season tires on their cars by default. These perform much the same function as snow tires.
Can I rent snow chains?
In parts of the US like Yosemite, snow chains are mandatory for driving during certain times of the year. Rental cars are not exempt from this requirement, even if they have all-season tires.
Yet no major rental car companies offer snow chains in the US (or Canada). Indeed, most of them explicitly ban snow chain use as they can damage tires, rims, wheel covers, and fenders. Trips with these constraints require extra planning so pick your rental carefully.
Driving in the snow overseas.
Depending on when and where you travel overseas, you may find your rental car fitted with snow tires by default. Snow tires (commonly known as winter tires) are mandatory during winter in many countries, whether you’re near the mountains or not.
In some countries, you have to request the tires and pay for them yourself. In others, it can depend on the car rental company, and sometimes it depends on the region of the country you’re in.
In Canada, for example, winter tire rules vary by province. In Quebec, winter tires are required on rental cars during the winter months, while in other provinces requirements can stretch from October to April depending on the regionand road.
As the rules vary across so many countries, it’s best practice to check requirements in advance. Make sure to review the terms and conditions when booking so you know what comes as standard and what will cost extra.
What types of 4WD and AWD rental cars are available?
Not all car rental companies offer the same types of vehicles. Here’s a quick rundown of four major rental companies and the AWD rental cars they offer.
Budget
Budget’s fleet includes mid-size to large SUVs, many of which offer 4WD or AWD capabilities. This isn’t always made clear during booking, however, so it’s best to speak to the specific rental office you’re booking at if off-roading is essential to your plans.
Enterprise
Enterprise lists a variety of cars under its SUV category, almost all of which offer AWD or 4WD capabilities. It’s important to check as the compact and mid-range models are often 2WD only. Anything from a midrange SUV, all-terrain or crossover vehicle is likely going to be a 4WD or AWD rental.
Hertz
Hertz makes it very hard to find an all wheel drive or four wheel drive rental car. It offers no filter for this functionality and doesn’t include that information in the car details. It does feature AWD SUV categories at some locations, and most large pickup trucks are four-wheel drive. To be sure you’re renting something that meets your needs, talk to them before you book.
SIXT
SIXT also offers a range of SUVs that feature 4WD or AWD capabilities. Its most popular models include the Range Rover, Jeep Wrangler, and Mercedes G-Class. SIXT has a handy “Guaranteed All-Wheel Drive” option to check when booking. This guarantees you’ll get an off-roader as long as it’s available at the branch where you’re booking. As with all rental companies, I recommend checking at the branch in advance to make sure they have one available.
Before renting an AWD car, check your insurance covers windshields and tires. Many insurers will require an extra policy for this add-on but it can be well worth it once you hit rough terrain.
Duncan Madden, travel writer.
How to verify your rental car is AWD at pickup.
Before driving off the lot, take these steps to confirm your assigned vehicle is actually AWD:
- Check your reservation: Review your booking confirmation to verify the vehicle class specifies AWD or 4WD capability.
- Look for badges or labels: Most AWD vehicles have an “AWD,” “4WD,” or “4×4” badge on the rear or side of the vehicle. Check near the model name.
- Inspect the dashboard: Many AWD vehicles display a drivetrain indicator on the instrument panel or infotainment screen.
- Ask the agent: Request written confirmation from the rental agent that the specific vehicle you’re receiving has AWD or 4WD capability.
If the vehicle doesn’t match what you booked, ask for a replacement before leaving the lot.
How to use the 4WD and AWD rental car filters on KAYAK.
Renting a car on KAYAK is easy. With refined filtering and options, you can also quickly choose to see only results for 4WD or AWD rental cars.
- Go to kayak.com/cars, enter your car rental drop-off and collection points and dates, and hit the orange search button.
- On the results page you’ll see a range of filter options across the top of the page to help refine your search. Select ‘Car features’.
- In the dropdown you’ll see a series of checkboxes for different features. Select either ‘AWD’ or ‘4WD’ depending on what type of car you want. Once you select the filter, the button below will update to show you how many cars that meet your criteria are available. Hit the button to see them.
- The results page will now show only the available cars that have the features you’ve selected. Pick the one you want, and you’re ready to hit the road!
AWD rental car FAQ.
Search for SUV or crossover categories when booking, as these are most likely to include AWD options. Use filters for AWD or 4WD if available, or contact the rental location directly to confirm AWD availability before booking.
Some rental companies like SIXT offer a “Guaranteed All-Wheel Drive” option at checkout. Otherwise, book a specific AWD model by name when possible, and call the rental location to confirm availability before your pickup date.
Check for AWD, 4WD, or 4×4 badges on the exterior of the vehicle, typically near the model name on the rear or sides. You can also check the dashboard for drivetrain indicators or ask the rental agent to confirm.
Verify the vehicle class on your reservation specifies AWD capability. At pickup, inspect the vehicle for drivetrain badges and ask the agent for written confirmation that the assigned car has AWD before leaving the lot.
Read on if you want to know more about car rentals, whether you need unlimited mileage, or how to pay for your rental car.
