If waiting for Ubers and learning a new city’s transit system isn’t in the cards for your summer travels in 2024, there’s some good news. Rental fleets are full and you will have a wide choice of cars to rent. Just make sure you choose one from a brand renowned for making user-friendly, feature-rich and economical models – but whichever car manufacturer you choose, make sure it’s not one of them.
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Chrysler
Twenty-five years ago, in 1999, Edmunds.com hosted a discussion thread titled “Has Chrysler’s Reliability Improved?”
It chronicled the nameplate’s “very, very poor” overall reliability record and featured dozens of disappointing first-person accounts of problems with the brand’s vehicles.
In the mid-2000s, Consumer Reports ranked all of Fiat Chrysler’s brands in the bottom third of its reliability surveys, forcing the automaker’s vice president of quality to resign.
This year, the decades-long trend continued, with Consumer Reports giving popular models like the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid “less reliable than average” ratings. RepairPal places the brand in a double-digit reliability ranking and claims to have “above average ownership costs.”
“Chrysler is a popular car brand with rental agencies, but it has reliability issues,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert at AutoInsurance.org. “There’s not just one thing that can go wrong. There is often a risk that many problems will occur. The Pacifica Hybrid is particularly unreliable. While some hybrids offer excellent fuel economy, the Pacifica does not.
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Volkswagen
RepairPal ranks VW 12th among 32 auto brands in terms of reliability. For context, Chrysler ranks 11th.
“Volkswagen is a budget car rental brand, but you should stick with it unless you’re prepared to deal with problems,” Musson said. “It is one of the least reliable vehicle brands, and their design and passenger comfort leave much to be desired.”
Decree
A multinational company called Stellantis owns Chrysler and 13 other automobile brands. At the top of the range are Alpha Romeo and Maserati. At the bottom of the range are Chrysler and Fiat.
People rent Fiats because they’re adorable and have a quirky European look, but they’re known for creating headaches for drivers. RepairPal ranks the brand 18th out of 32 automakers.
“While often affordable, Fiat vehicles are known for their below-average reliability and higher maintenance costs, which could lead to problems during a rental period,” said automotive expert Rob Dillan, founder of EVhype.
Jeep
Jeep people love their Jeeps to the point of worshiping them – they even wave at each other on the road and do that whole rubber ducky thing.
But that doesn’t mean they make good rentals.
“Despite their popularity, many Jeep models, like the Cherokee, reportedly have frequent mechanical problems and lower fuel mileage, making them less ideal for summer rentals,” Dillan said.
RepairPal ranks Jeep – which joins Chrysler and Fiat among Stellantis holdings – as the 15th most reliable brand out of 32 automakers.
Land Rover
If you’re willing to spend a little more, renting a car gives you the chance to see life through the eyes of those who drive prestige and status symbol vehicles – but not all luxury brands don’t offer what you pay for. -for user experience.
“Known for their luxury and off-road capabilities, Land Rovers are also known for their high maintenance costs and reliability issues, which could cause headaches for renters,” Dillan said.
According to automotive subscription service FINN, “Range Rover SUVs struggle with their reputation for reliability,” citing “electrical problems, premature failure of advanced suspension components and a tendency to spend more time in the workshop than other indulgent vehicles.
You’re here
So, you’ve never driven an electric car – in fact, you’ve never even been in one. What better time to take the plunge than during an extended test drive with a rental – and if you’re going to do it, it has to be a Tesla, right?
Just make sure you’re prepared for unfamiliar controls and performance, not to mention range anxiety, since you won’t be plugging in at home like most EV owners.
“Chances are you won’t find a cheap Tesla to rent,” Musson said. “But even if you do, you should avoid it unless you are used to driving an electric car. Charging stations in some parts of the country are rare. For example, if you plan to drive through Yellowstone National Park with an electric vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ll be stranded because your battery is dead.
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This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com: 6 car brands to avoid if you rent during a summer trip, even if they’re cheap
