Rental Car Thread

[GreatBigAbyss]

We don't have one of these, so I'm starting one. 

The Mazda CX-5 went in to get its hail damage repaired.  Under our insurance policy, we are entitled to a rental car (compact class) for the duration.  What we actually got was an upgrade, under the 'fullsize SUV' class. 

Behold:  The majestic Hyundai Santa-Fe hybrid.  It's actually really nice.  3 rows, plenty of room in the back seat, really well equipped with pano sunroof, dual wireless charging pads, fake leather, etc.  I think the trim must be 'Santa Fe Hybrid AWD Preferred with Trend pkg', which would be 2nd from base.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to spending a week with it.  My spouse is looking forward because she typically carpools a bunch of girls for my daughters' volleyball games at various schools. 

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Note:  I would never buy one, but Hyundai's are great as rental cars. 

[Gurgie]

A buddy of mine bought one of those last year. He's not really a car guy, needed a family hauler and wanted something hybrid & not too expensive. It seems to do the trick for him, his wife, their 2yr old and their 2 dogs as well. Though I think the dogs mainly get transported in their old Mitsubishi Outlander 

[Bridgecity]

Had a Sante Fe Uber a couple months ago.  Must have been the base trim.  The door armrests looked and felt like the foam from a cheap office chair from the 80's.  That's all I remember. 

Regardless, hope you enjoy your week with it.

[GreatBigAbyss]

First impressions are positive.  It drives well (as a new car should) and it has a smooth drivetrain thanks to the hybridization.  Power isn't lacking, although it's no RAV4 PHEV lol.  Everything in it has a nice solid heavy feel, from the doors to everything in the interior.  The interior, while it isn't as nice as a Mazda product, is way ahead of something like a RAV4. 

Fuel economy on my drive home was 7.8l/100km, which is respectable for a large vehicle.  The Mazda would have achieved 10l/100km on the same drive, and it's lighter, with less power.

Overall, it just seems like an easy vehicle to like.  It's not particularly exciting, but it's well appointed and would make a great daily for a family.

For my purposes, the meagre 2000lb tow rating is bested by the Rav's 3500lbs, and would knock it out of contention.  I want to be able to tow a small pop up trailer.