How does Hertz treat you

[docjames]

When: July 2024 (2d 4h)
Pickup: Hertz STR
Drop off: Hertz FRA
Booked: Midsize, 4-5 door, manual (Class D)
Received: Jeep Compass PHEV S-Limited, 67000km, auto
Cost: EUR 301 (ouch)

Had booked an early morning pickup however flight delays meant we arrived under slept and over tired, and with two children who’d misbehaved the entire flight and nearly 5 hours later for the pickup time. I was grateful given it was summer and middle of Euro Football that they’d saved the car at all for me. I didnt have the will power to ask for anything else and i thought being a Jeep it would be a) big enough and b) not unpleasant - although if I’d realised how bad this car would be I absolutely would have at least asked the question.

The car was awful. Under powered, a battery that never recharged itself, and it could barely get to 140kph on the auto barn and felt awful doing it. It did cruise at 110-120 ok. Was lousy on fuel, was big on the outside and small on the outside.

 

[docjames]

When: July 2024 (2d 3h)
Pickup: LHR (T5 then Hertz shuttle to Hertz lot)
Drop off: LHR (Hertz shuttle to T3)
Booked: Midsize, 4-5 door, manual (Class D)
Booked via: Hertz app
Received: MG HS (small SUV) with 2500mi and not a scratch on it (Group K apparently according to the receipt). The cargo cover was in it which is a nuisance when you have luggage but useful when parked on the street to hide anything left in the boot (although in our case, nothing).
Cost: GPB 108

Wanted to like this car and it was superficially ok but I’d never buy one. Again would have preferred what I’d booked. Stressful parts were: crazy low speed limits (too low to use cruise control); brand new (driven mostly inside the M25…..not ideal). Kids loved the colour (I hated it). The shuttle to the pickup was probably more efficient than virtually anything else at Heathrow…….but that’s not saying much.

Best feature in the end was seeing it the day after we’d returned it being driven by someone else!

 

[docjames]

When: June 2023 (9d 23h)
Pickup: CNS
Drop off: CNS
Booked: Compact SUV Class G (Kia Sportage or simialr)
Booked via: Hertz website
Received: VW TIguan (base spec) with 20km (yes, 20 - it’s first rental).
Cost: AUD553 (unlimited kms, LDW)


Good result on the car although always stressful when brand spanking new (any mark is mine). Got it back in one piece. Boot a little on the small side for what we needed but price for next category about was terrible so kids had to lump the trip to and from airport with stuff in the back seat. Managed to find room for a stop and the purchases at Liqourland on the way further north though…..