August 06, 2024
The most popular car rental brands across the world this summer
The notion of a road trip conjures up romantic notions of driving along a fast-paced freeway in an open-top convertible or cruising along a scenic coastal route in a classic vintage automobile.
Dream scenarios aside, driving a car in a foreign country is entirely different to the everyday carpool or trip to the store in the family runaround. Unfamiliar road signs, etiquette and driving rules can make even the most capable motorists feel slightly nervous about the prospect of hopping into the driver’s seat while abroad.
As a result, when it comes to deciding on the most suitable car for a vacation, most people are inclined to go for an affordable model that makes them feel safe, secure and comfortable on potentially tricky-to-navigate foreign roads.
So, if people aren't actually hiring supercars for their family break, what exactly is the preferred car brand to rent in different countries when planning a vacation?
Our team at DiscoverCars.com investigated our internal data to find out which brands and models of car tourists are most likely to rent in nearly 200 countries and US states. We examined our summer 2024 bookings, and the results are pretty eye-opening!
Dream scenarios aside, driving a car in a foreign country is entirely different to the everyday carpool or trip to the store in the family runaround. Unfamiliar road signs, etiquette and driving rules can make even the most capable motorists feel slightly nervous about the prospect of hopping into the driver’s seat while abroad.
As a result, when it comes to deciding on the most suitable car for a vacation, most people are inclined to go for an affordable model that makes them feel safe, secure and comfortable on potentially tricky-to-navigate foreign roads.
So, if people aren't actually hiring supercars for their family break, what exactly is the preferred car brand to rent in different countries when planning a vacation?
Our team at DiscoverCars.com investigated our internal data to find out which brands and models of car tourists are most likely to rent in nearly 200 countries and US states. We examined our summer 2024 bookings, and the results are pretty eye-opening!
In pole position is Fiat
The car brand that scooped the top spot was Fiat, which was the first choice for more than one-fifth (20%) of all people who rented a car in 2024 and 22% in 2023.
Travelers in countries analyzed in 2024 were most likely to rent a car model from this beloved Italian car manufacturer, with 41% of those being the Panda model in 2024.
Understandably, Fiat is the most preferred choice when it comes to car rentals in its home country. Here, Fiat accounted for 36% of car rentals in 2024. The favorite model in mainland Italy in 2024 was the Fiat Panda (15%).
People renting in the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia also stayed fiercely loyal to Fiat, with 45% (Sicily) and 43% (Sardinia) renting them in 2024.
Moving away from Europe, tourists in Brazil were next most likely to select a car from Fiat in 2024, with the car brand making up 31% of bookings there. In Turkey, almost one-quarter (25%) expressed admiration for the Fiat brand in 2024.
However, it wasn't just countries where Fiat was the most popular model. In the Balearic Islands and Crete, this brand proved to be the most popular, accounting for 23% of rentals on the Greek island and 21% in the Balearics in 2024. A fifth (25%) of people in Latvia also opted for a Fiat.
Travelers in countries analyzed in 2024 were most likely to rent a car model from this beloved Italian car manufacturer, with 41% of those being the Panda model in 2024.
Understandably, Fiat is the most preferred choice when it comes to car rentals in its home country. Here, Fiat accounted for 36% of car rentals in 2024. The favorite model in mainland Italy in 2024 was the Fiat Panda (15%).
People renting in the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia also stayed fiercely loyal to Fiat, with 45% (Sicily) and 43% (Sardinia) renting them in 2024.
Moving away from Europe, tourists in Brazil were next most likely to select a car from Fiat in 2024, with the car brand making up 31% of bookings there. In Turkey, almost one-quarter (25%) expressed admiration for the Fiat brand in 2024.
However, it wasn't just countries where Fiat was the most popular model. In the Balearic Islands and Crete, this brand proved to be the most popular, accounting for 23% of rentals on the Greek island and 21% in the Balearics in 2024. A fifth (25%) of people in Latvia also opted for a Fiat.
Volkswagen slides into silver
Where Fiat might have fallen by the wayside in Latvia in 2024, Volkswagen, which holds the overall number two spot, made up half of all car rentals (50%) in this eastern European country that year.
Overall, the German car brand accounted for 10% of car rentals in 2024 and was most popular across 21 countries and US states. It was also the car of choice for 23% of tourists visiting Germany in 2024, while the most popular model was the Polo, which swept up 38% of all rentals of Volkswagen cars in any country.
People traveling to Croatia in 2024 favored the German car, with 28% choosing the brand as their holiday car of choice and the VW Polo being the most popular model (9%) across all car brands. This model was also a hit in the Canary Islands, where 13% of people hired one.
Almost half of those vacationing in other European countries in 2024 were most likely to opt for a Volkswagen to meet their holiday requirements. In Finland, Volkswagen accounted for 48% of all rentals, in Estonia 47% plumped for one, in Switzerland 45% of vacationers chose the brand, and in Luxembourg 43% of people claimed VW to be the ideal choice.
Interestingly, one-quarter of tourists visiting Argentina, in South America, chose a Volkswagen as their rental car abroad, with 25% choosing the German manufacturer as their go-to in 2024.
Further afield, rentals in Botswana and the Faroe Islands were extraordinarily high in 2024 at 69% and 84% respectively.
In the USA, more than one-third of car rentals were Volkswagens in the states of Maine (36%) and Wisconsin (33%) in 2024.
Overall, the German car brand accounted for 10% of car rentals in 2024 and was most popular across 21 countries and US states. It was also the car of choice for 23% of tourists visiting Germany in 2024, while the most popular model was the Polo, which swept up 38% of all rentals of Volkswagen cars in any country.
People traveling to Croatia in 2024 favored the German car, with 28% choosing the brand as their holiday car of choice and the VW Polo being the most popular model (9%) across all car brands. This model was also a hit in the Canary Islands, where 13% of people hired one.
Almost half of those vacationing in other European countries in 2024 were most likely to opt for a Volkswagen to meet their holiday requirements. In Finland, Volkswagen accounted for 48% of all rentals, in Estonia 47% plumped for one, in Switzerland 45% of vacationers chose the brand, and in Luxembourg 43% of people claimed VW to be the ideal choice.
Interestingly, one-quarter of tourists visiting Argentina, in South America, chose a Volkswagen as their rental car abroad, with 25% choosing the German manufacturer as their go-to in 2024.
Further afield, rentals in Botswana and the Faroe Islands were extraordinarily high in 2024 at 69% and 84% respectively.
In the USA, more than one-third of car rentals were Volkswagens in the states of Maine (36%) and Wisconsin (33%) in 2024.
Toyota takes bronze on the podium
This Japanese car brand was the top choice across 24 countries and US states in 2024, comprising 9% of all rentals with the Aygo model proving the most popular (35%).
Visitors to Namibia were likely to want a Toyota to cruise around in when renting a vehicle. A healthy 59% of bookings made in the country in 2024 were for a car from the Japanese automotive manufacturer.
In New Zealand, visitors were also fans of Toyota models, with these cars comprising 68% of all bookings in 2024. Elsewhere in Oceania, 42% of people visiting Fiji treated themselves to a Toyota in 2024.
In Asia, the Philippines displayed a healthy love for Toyotas as they accounted for 64% of car rentals in 2024. In Thailand, 65% of all bookings were Toyotas.
When it came to the Caribbean, Toyota stole the show in Jamaica, making up over half (50.3%) of rental bookings in 2024. In Antigua and Barbuda, 40% of people opted for a Toyota in 2024.
In Europe, half of renters in Norway (50%) plumped for a Toyota in 2024.
Over in Central America, 50% of visitors to Guatemala hired a Toyota, and one-quarter (25%) did the same in Costa Rica in 2024. Below the equator, in South America, 73% of tourists to Peru chose a Toyota for their travels, which all points to the brand’s true global mass appeal.
In its home nation Japan in 2024, Toyota made up 38% of all rentals and was just pipped at the post by Honda at 39%. However, to compare this with previous years, in 2023, Toyota didn’t make the top three car rental brands, with Mazda coming out on top with 67% of all bookings.
Visitors to Namibia were likely to want a Toyota to cruise around in when renting a vehicle. A healthy 59% of bookings made in the country in 2024 were for a car from the Japanese automotive manufacturer.
In New Zealand, visitors were also fans of Toyota models, with these cars comprising 68% of all bookings in 2024. Elsewhere in Oceania, 42% of people visiting Fiji treated themselves to a Toyota in 2024.
In Asia, the Philippines displayed a healthy love for Toyotas as they accounted for 64% of car rentals in 2024. In Thailand, 65% of all bookings were Toyotas.
When it came to the Caribbean, Toyota stole the show in Jamaica, making up over half (50.3%) of rental bookings in 2024. In Antigua and Barbuda, 40% of people opted for a Toyota in 2024.
In Europe, half of renters in Norway (50%) plumped for a Toyota in 2024.
Over in Central America, 50% of visitors to Guatemala hired a Toyota, and one-quarter (25%) did the same in Costa Rica in 2024. Below the equator, in South America, 73% of tourists to Peru chose a Toyota for their travels, which all points to the brand’s true global mass appeal.
In its home nation Japan in 2024, Toyota made up 38% of all rentals and was just pipped at the post by Honda at 39%. However, to compare this with previous years, in 2023, Toyota didn’t make the top three car rental brands, with Mazda coming out on top with 67% of all bookings.
Peugeot steals fourth place
Five out of 200 countries and US states staked their claim on the Peugeot. Tourists heading to France understandably wanted a thoroughly Gallic experience, with Peugeot making up one-third (33%) of all rentals in 2024.
The preferred all-round Peugeot model is a 208 (33%) and it's France’s favorite too at 14% in 2024.
This iconic French brand understandably fared well in Belgium too, scooping 29% of all car hires in 2024. Malta followed closely behind at 27% and Sweden at 20%.
Far away from Europe, in the French overseas department of Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar, Peugeot claimed two-thirds (66%) of all bookings in 2024.
The preferred all-round Peugeot model is a 208 (33%) and it's France’s favorite too at 14% in 2024.
This iconic French brand understandably fared well in Belgium too, scooping 29% of all car hires in 2024. Malta followed closely behind at 27% and Sweden at 20%.
Far away from Europe, in the French overseas department of Mayotte, located in the Indian Ocean near Madagascar, Peugeot claimed two-thirds (66%) of all bookings in 2024.
Renault and Opel jostle for the last spot in the top five
Renault might well have claimed fifth position in 2024 with Opel in sixth place, but the roles were reversed in previous years, such as in 2023, with Opel nudging to fifth for the win that year and Renault placing sixth. However, the rankings were very closely contested…
Renault
Renault
Nine out of over 100 countries found Renault to be the car brand most likely to be rented by international tourists in 2024.
During 2024, Renault was responsible for 6% of all car hires, the most popular model being the famous Clio (40%). In France, Renault was hired by 21% of tourists, coming second only to Peugeot.
When it came to overseas French regions in 2024, in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean Sea, 43% of rentals were Renault. In Reunion, in the Indian Ocean, the rate was 42% and in French Guiana, off the coast of South America, more than half (56%) of rentals were accounted for there.
The Azores Islands, found in the mid-Atlantic, is the next location where tourists have a preference for Renault. Here, 28.7% of tourists rented Renault vehicles in 2024. The overall most popular car model in this country was the Twingo, hired at a rate of 14% in 2024.
Tourists in Turkey might have favored the Italian Fiat for their holiday rental (24.8%). However, the Clio topped the leaderboard when it came to being the preferred model there (13%) in 2024.
Renault was the preferred choice for those visiting Corsica in 2024 with 30% choosing one and narrowly beating Peugeot’s rental rate of 29% in this region.
Opel
During 2024, Renault was responsible for 6% of all car hires, the most popular model being the famous Clio (40%). In France, Renault was hired by 21% of tourists, coming second only to Peugeot.
When it came to overseas French regions in 2024, in Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean Sea, 43% of rentals were Renault. In Reunion, in the Indian Ocean, the rate was 42% and in French Guiana, off the coast of South America, more than half (56%) of rentals were accounted for there.
The Azores Islands, found in the mid-Atlantic, is the next location where tourists have a preference for Renault. Here, 28.7% of tourists rented Renault vehicles in 2024. The overall most popular car model in this country was the Twingo, hired at a rate of 14% in 2024.
Tourists in Turkey might have favored the Italian Fiat for their holiday rental (24.8%). However, the Clio topped the leaderboard when it came to being the preferred model there (13%) in 2024.
Renault was the preferred choice for those visiting Corsica in 2024 with 30% choosing one and narrowly beating Peugeot’s rental rate of 29% in this region.
Opel
This German manufacturer might have only been the preferred rental choice in one country but it managed to attract 6% of all bookings in 2024, with the Corsa scoring top model status (44%).
In Austria, Opel topped the list with more than one-quarter (26%) of visitors hiring one in 2024. It proceeded to rank second across a host of European countries, including Belgium (16%), Serbia (14%), Croatia (14%) and Macedonia (13%).
In Austria, Opel topped the list with more than one-quarter (26%) of visitors hiring one in 2024. It proceeded to rank second across a host of European countries, including Belgium (16%), Serbia (14%), Croatia (14%) and Macedonia (13%).
And the best of the rest…
In seventh place, Ford topped the UK’s preferred car choice in 2024 with 14% of the rental share. It came seventh in the rankings overall with 4% of all rentals.
The eight to 10 top spots were dominated by a mix of car brands this year and were as follows:
What brand or model of car would bring the most va va voom to your vacation when driving abroad?
If you are planning your next road trip or driving holiday, please consider booking with us — we can help you find a rental car that’s just right, in more than 145 countries around the world.
The eight to 10 top spots were dominated by a mix of car brands this year and were as follows:
- South Korean car brand Kia came next, with the Picanto comprising 42% of all bookings in 2024. One country that people are most likely to rent a Kia when visiting is the Middle East’s Lebanon, where 40% of people decided this was the brand that would suit them best in 2024. In Aruba, 61% of people opted for the Kia model in 2024.
- Hyundai has traditionally scored top three in the rental rankings in recent years but dropped down a few places in 2024. In 2024, it bagged 4% of all rentals, with 70% coming from the Indian Ocean archipelago Seychelles and 50% from Honduras, in Central America.
- Citroen took 3% of total bookings and proved popular and has performed particularly well in Spain, attracting 14% of the car rental market there in 2024.
- In 2024, Nissan received 3% of the rental market share and was popular in the US with 19% renting one in Illinois, 19% in Washington and 18% in Colorado. Over in the Middle East, 75% of tourists in Bahrain hired a Nissan and 37% in Egypt.
What brand or model of car would bring the most va va voom to your vacation when driving abroad?
If you are planning your next road trip or driving holiday, please consider booking with us — we can help you find a rental car that’s just right, in more than 145 countries around the world.
Methodology
DiscoverCars.com reviewed car rental reviews in July 2024 in 122 countries and 39 US states. The maps show the most popular cars rented by tourists in each country.
Top related locations
Here are some locations and their nearest airports where you can test out the most popular brands of rental cars for yourself.
Fiat:
Volkswagen:
Toyota:
Peugeot:
Renault:
- Rome, Italy (Fiumicino Airport): Navigating the narrow streets of Rome in a Fiat is a quintessential Italian driving experience.
- Palermo, Sicily (Falcone Borsellino Airport): Cruising through Palermo in a Fiat lets you blend right in with the lively Sicilian traffic.
- Cagliari, Sardinia (Elmas Airport): Driving a Fiat in Cagliari offers a smooth ride through the island’s beautiful coastal roads.
- Palma, Balearic Islands (Palma de Mallorca Airport): Exploring Palma in a Fiat is perfect for its charming and scenic routes.
- Heraklion, Crete (Heraklion Airport): A Fiat is ideal for tackling the winding roads of Heraklion and discovering hidden Cretan gems.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Galeão Airport): Zipping around Rio in a Fiat gives you the flexibility to explore both beaches and mountains.
- Istanbul, Turkey (Istanbul Airport): Maneuvering a Fiat through Istanbul’s bustling streets provides a nimble and efficient way to see the city.
Volkswagen:
- Dubrovnik, Croatia (Dubrovnik Airport): Driving a Volkswagen along Dubrovnik's stunning coastline is a comfortable and stylish way to explore.
- Tenerife, Canary Islands (Tenerife South Airport): A Volkswagen is perfect for navigating Tenerife’s diverse landscapes, from beaches to volcanoes.
- Zurich, Switzerland (Zurich Airport): Cruising through Zurich in a Volkswagen combines Swiss efficiency with German engineering.
- Munich, Germany (Munich Airport): Driving a Volkswagen in Munich feels right at home on the autobahns and scenic Bavarian roads.
Toyota:
- Oslo, Norway (Oslo Gardermoen Airport): Driving a Toyota in Oslo is ideal for tackling the city’s modern roads and venturing into the beautiful Norwegian countryside.
- Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Airport): Driving a Toyota in Auckland is ideal for navigating the city’s urban sprawl and venturing out to the surrounding beaches and countryside.
- Queenstown, New Zealand (Queenstown Airport): A Toyota is perfect for exploring Queenstown’s stunning landscapes, from lakes to mountains, providing comfort and reliability.
Peugeot:
- Paris, France (Charles de Gaulle Airport): Navigating the charming streets of Paris in a Peugeot offers a quintessentially French driving experience.
- Nice, France (Nice Côte d'Azur Airport): A Peugeot is perfect for cruising along the stunning French Riviera and exploring Nice’s picturesque coastal roads.
Renault:
- Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands (João Paulo II Airport): Driving a Renault in Ponta Delgada is perfect for exploring the island’s volcanic landscapes and coastal roads.
- Vienna, Austria (Vienna International Airport): An Opel in Vienna offers a smooth and efficient ride through the city’s historic and cultural landmarks.
- Split, Croatia (Split Airport): Cruising in an Opel around Split provides a reliable and comfortable way to enjoy the Adriatic coast and ancient architecture.
- Berlin, Germany (Berlin Brandenburg Airport): An Opel in Berlin ensures a practical and stylish way to navigate the bustling streets and explore the city’s rich history.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
