The 4 Best Rental Car Companies, According to Drivers

Rental car companies have worked hard to solve a shortage of vehicles that plagued the industry throughout the pandemic. However, those efforts have not translated to increased consumer satisfaction, according to a J.D. Power survey.

The 2022 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study found that an increase in car rental fees is leaving customers disgruntled. Such costs have risen by 14% this year.

In a summary of J.D. Power’s findings, Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power, says:

“When it comes to rental cars, price is the biggest factor affecting satisfaction, and the combined effects of inflation and high fuel prices are really pushing customers to their limits — and that could affect brand image.”

For the second straight year, Enterprise ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction, with a score of 865 out of 1,000. Overall, four rental car agencies topped the industry average score of 829. They are:

• Enterprise: 865
• National: 859
• Alamo: 837
• Hertz: 836

Four other companies — Avis, Dollar, Budget and Thrifty — finished below the national average, with Thrifty finishing in last place at a score of just 780. Scores were based on survey responses from nearly 8,500 business and leisure travelers who rented a vehicle from an airport location between Aug. 2021 and Aug. 2022.

If the car rental industry as a whole is to get back on track, Taylor says it will need to invest in “ramping up service” to offset higher costs.

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