Turo Car Rental Review

Turo is not your usual car hire company. It is an innovative peer-to-peer car rental platform that connects vehicle owners directly with renters to offer a convenient and personalized alternative to traditional rental companies.

Often described as the “Airbnb of cars,” Turo allows users to select from a wide range of vehicles, including economical sedans or hatchbacks, luxury sports cars, and light-duty trucks, all of which are available from local hosts.

The company was launched in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2010 under the original name of RelayRides and was originally focused on short-term rentals. However, in 2015, after expanding to San Francisco and then nationwide and shifting more towards long-term rentals, it changed its name to Turo.

It is fair to say Turo has revolutionized the global car rental industry, as it is now used across North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

When Does It Make Sense to Use Turo?

Turo is an excellent option for those who want a more flexible, cheaper or affordable alternative to what traditional car rental companies may provide you with.

It is particularly good if you’re planning a road trip or vacation and desire a specific model, such as a convertible for scenic drives or a spacious SUV for family adventures, because Turo allows you to choose precisely the vehicle that meets your requirements.

It also fits perfectly into scenarios where traditional rental services fall short, such as renting cars in smaller towns or rural areas, or when needing a car on very short notice.

Additionally, Turo’s pricing is often competitive and transparent, so it is ideal for those who are on a budget. At the same time, business travelers can also benefit from Turo’s quick booking process and customized pick-up options, which include airport delivery.

Turo is also a terrific option for individuals who want to support the little guy as opposed to the larger companies. You can rent directly from an individual who will receive most of your payment.

When Doesn’t It Make Sense to Use Turo?

While Turo is ideal for many situations, there are some circumstances where it might not be the best option for you.

For instance, if you would rather have the peace of mind of guaranteed consistency or the immediate roadside support that traditional car rental companies typically provide, then Turo’s peer-to-peer model might not meet your expectations.

Additionally, as Turo vehicles are privately owned, the reliability, quality, condition, and cleanliness of your rental are likely to vary quite markedly. At the same time, the transaction also involves more coordination with individual car owners than some people might be comfortable with, especially in rural or remote areas.

Insurance coverage is another reason you might not want to use Turo. Their policies may involve varying levels of coverage or higher deductibles than those imposed by traditional rental agencies.

The company also do not have a rewards program, so if you are a frequent renter who has one from an established competitor like Hertz, Budget or Alamo, you might lose perks like loyalty points, upgrades, or discounted rates.

Lastly, if you require round-the-clock customer support services, traditional car rental providers could offer you a smoother and more reliable experience than what you would get with Turo.

Pros and Cons of Booking with Turo

As you might have guessed from the previous two sections, booking with Turo comes with distinct advantages and disadvantages that you should consider carefully before proceeding with a booking.

Pros

Among the company’s greatest strengths is the sheer variety of vehicles available. These range from everyday sedans and compact cars to luxury, electric, and unique specialty vehicles that traditional rental companies rarely offer.

This flexibility allows renters to choose precisely the vehicle they need for their trip, and often at very competitive or lower costs as compared to mainstream rental agencies.

Turo also provides the convenience of direct interaction with vehicle owners, which can simplify the rental experience and provide them with a more personalized service.

Another benefit is that Turo rentals can sometimes be picked up and dropped off at convenient locations, including shopping malls, airports or hotels, which means you don’t have to navigate your way to rental offices in busy city areas.

Cons

On the downside, since Turo operates on a peer-to-peer model, it is most likely that the consistency and reliability of your rental will vary markedly between reservations.

As the quality, cleanliness, and condition of vehicles are subject to the owner’s discretion, you should be aware of this potential variance before committing to a booking.

Additionally, Turo’s insurance policies and liability coverage might be less straightforward than those of other more traditional car hire companies. This could potentially expose renters to higher deductibles or additional costs if they were involved in an accident.

Unfortunately, customer service experiences can also fluctuate because interactions depend heavily on how responsive and willing individual owners are to address issues promptly.

Lastly, as mentioned, those who prefer accumulating loyalty rewards or frequent renter perks will miss out on such benefits when booking through Turo.

Turo Booking Experience

Booking a vehicle through Turo should be straightforward and user-friendly for most people, as it is similar to securing reservations on Airbnb.

Users begin by browsing available cars on their intuitive mobile app or website, which they can then filter by location, vehicle type, price range, and special features.

Each car listing includes detailed descriptions, clear photographs, previous renter reviews, and transparent pricing breakdowns, which makes it easy to find the ideal match.

Once selected, renters can request their preferred dates directly with vehicle owners, who typically respond within a few hours or even minutes to confirm if they can honor it.

Communication takes place through Turo’s messaging system, which allows renters and owners to coordinate pick-up locations, times, and special requests very straightforwardly.

All payments and insurance options are handled securely through the platform, which should give you, as the renter, peace of mind.

Important Things to Note Before Renting with Turo

Before proceeding with a booking with Turo, it’s worth taking the time to understand a few key aspects of their service to avoid any surprises during your rental experience.

Pricing & Hidden Fees

It is important to always review the prices carefully, because the rental costs listed might not reflect what ends up being the final total.

Things like service fees, cleaning charges, mileage limits, and additional costs such as late returns or extra mileage could significantly impact the final price.

Therefore, you should always read the listing details thoroughly and discuss specifics with the host to prevent unexpected charges.

Insurance & Deposit Policies

Turo offers various levels of insurance protection, which range from basic to premium coverage, and each of these carries different deductibles and coverage limits.

It is vital to select the coverage that is most appropriate for your needs and clarify any deposit policies upfront. Some hosts require security deposits, which can temporarily tie up funds on your credit card during the rental period.

Vehicle Condition & Inspection

Since vehicles on Turo are privately owned, it is essential to document the condition of a car when you pick it up and drop it off. The best way to do this is to take a timestamped video, which will provide you with visual proof in the case of a dispute.

Cancellation & Refund Policies

Turo has specific cancellation and refund policies that depend on the host’s preferences, i.e. flexible, moderate, or strict.

You should take the time to understand the implications of these policies before making your booking to avoid losing money if your travel plans were to change unexpectedly.

Customer Service

Unlike traditional rental agencies with dedicated support staff, Turo’s customer service relies heavily on individual hosts. Additionally, while Turo does offer platform-level support, you should be aware that the response times can vary.

Alternatives to Turo

While Turo offers a unique and flexible car rental experience, there are several alternatives you might want to consider depending on your needs.

Traditional rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis will always provide a good option because they afford consistent levels of professional customer service and a wide range of comprehensive insurance options.

These companies usually provide loyalty programs from which you can benefit, as well as the reassurance of 24/7 roadside assistance wherever you need it.

If you are happy to stick to an app-based, peer-to-peer solution, platforms like Getaround and HyreCar are available in selected locations, and they might be slightly cheaper than Turo.

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft might also be suitable for those who don’t want to drive themselves in unfamiliar locations.

Final Verdict: Should You Rent from Turo?

Overall, the question of whether you should book a rental from Turo boils down to your individual preferences.

If you’re comfortable coordinating with individual hosts and understand the platform’s policies, then Turo can be a convenient and cost-effective way to rent a car.

However, if you would prefer the peace of mind that comes with booking from more traditional companies like Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, and Dollar, then you would be better off sticking with them.