3 SUVs Travel Experts Recommend Renting on Family Getaways
Renting a vehicle while vacationing can save wear and tear on your own vehicle and offer amenities yours may not. Plus, if you flew to your destination, a rented vehicle may be your only option for getting around. To find out which SUVs are worth renting on your next vacation, we reached out to Simon Cerasa and Ashley NeSmith.
Cerasa, owner of The Genie Transportation Services in Orlando, Florida that offers professional chauffeurs and a fleet of vehicles to get families to their destination, understands what matters most to families who need to rent an SUV for their travels.
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NeSmith is the founder of Ashley the Auto Advocate, where she uses her experience in the automotive industry to help customers make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle.
What To Look for When Renting an SUV While on Vacation
If you’re traveling with family, your needs may look different depending on children’s ages, experience driving a large vehicle, entertainment preferences and more. NeSmith said the benefits of renting an SUV include a smooth ride where you sit up high, making you feel safer, top of the line technology and navigation, and the ability to travel off road or tow a boat or trailer easily.
She also included some things to consider when making your choice, saying, “When traveling with kids with car seats and strollers, the extra room is very handy, and second row captain’s chairs make it easier to walk to the third row.”
“With rentals,” NeSmith cautioned, “you may not be familiar with driving that type of vehicle, so I would prioritize having equipment like a backup camera, blind spot monitoring and parking sensors.”
Cerasa also noted that “If you’ve never driven a larger vehicle before, it will take some getting used to, and you’ll need to be a little cautious when trying to park or maneuver around other vehicles.”
Cerasa’s fleet includes the following SUVs, and he recommends them to traveling families.
1. Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas is a smaller SUV that works well for solo travelers or couples. He said, “If you add a car seat and anything more than two suitcases, it can get pretty tight pretty quickly.”
If you’re only adding one car seat and a few bags, however, “it’s easy to maneuver, and it doesn’t feel like it takes up a ton of space.”
This is a great option for someone who doesn’t need a ton of space or isn’t comfortable driving one of the larger SUVs.
2. GMC Yukon XL
The GMC Yukon XL has the capacity to seat up to eight, but Cerasa said it works great for families and groups up to six. He pointed out the wealth of trunk space that can accommodate luggage and a stroller.
“We fit two car seats in here no problem, with still enough room for four other adults,” he said.
Additionally, his customers also appreciate the good sound system. The GMC Yukon can seat up to eight passengers, but there is less trunk space to accommodate luggage.
3. Cadillac Escalade ESV
According to Cerasa, the Cadillac Escalade ESV has about the same amount of space as the GMC Yukon XL, but he typically recommends this vehicle for up to five passengers to “keep it a luxury experience and maximize personal space and comfort.”
If you don’t mind closer quarters, this vehicle can seat up to eight, depending on the middle row setup. Cerasa also noted generous trunk space and a top-notch entertainment system that “children always appreciate during their ride from MCO [airport] to Disney.”
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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