Looking to rent a luxury car - here's what you need to know about luxury brands and how much it costs to rent them.

There’s a reason why people pay more to sit in business and first class. Because depending on the length of the trip or the occasion, it may be worth it to invest in nicer accommodations. The longer or more important the journey, the more it makes sense to upgrade.

If you’re looking to upgrade your business trip, vacation or even night out, then renting a luxury car is a great way to do so. Start by figuring out what features or specific car brands you’re curious about. This will give you a rough ballpark of how much it will cost to rent one.

What is considered a luxury car?

Luxury cars are defined by their attention to detail, design and craftsmanship.

What does this mean for the consumer? Cars with distinct styles, made out of premium materials, and equipped with advanced driver controls and high-tech features.

For example, you won’t usually find lambswool rugs, rotating dashboards, or high-performing engines capable of going from 0-60 in seconds in a standard car. Nope, these are the exclusive domain of luxury cars.

Top luxury car brands

Most lists out there would consider Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, BMW, Lexus, Lamborghini, and Land Rover to be the top luxury car brands.

Each of these car brands is known for something different. Whether it’s winning the Grand Prix or redefining EVs, each has earned its position as a top luxury car brand by doing things not only differently, but better than the average street competitor.

Here are some examples of luxury cars as well as what traits put them in the luxury category.

Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne recently beat out the 911 in terms of 2022 global sales, making it the most popular model of Porsche.

In a nutshell, it’s an SUV with the engine of a sports car. Models feature either a V6 or V8 engine capable of taking the car from idle to fast in just a matter of seconds. While being a thrill to drive, the Cayenne is also luxurious for any riders thanks to its Wifi hotspot, massaging seats, and powerful stereo.

Lamborghini Urus

Supercars like the Lamborghini Urus are considered a subset of luxury cars. Read as: all supercars are luxury, but not all luxury cars are supercars. Supercars or exotics are typically limited-edition, created by foreign car makers, and super powerful. 

With a max speed of 305, the Lamborghini Urus firmly belongs in the supercar category. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Meanwhile, its interior screams luxury with its Italian craftsmanship and Aerospace-inspired design. 

Ferrari 458

No luxury car list would be complete without a Ferrari, particularly, the Ferrari 458. It was only produced by Ferrari between 2009 and 2015, making it limited edition. 

It's widely considered to be one of the most iconic and well-rounded sports cars of its time thanks to its powerful V8 engine, responsive handling, and sleek design. 

Bentley Bentayga

Bentley has many noteworthy models, but one of the most iconic is the Bentlye Bentayga, a luxury 5-door SUV. 

In addition to delivering 600 horsepower, the Bentayga is all-wheel-drive and offers superior handling and performance. It’s perfect to rent if you're looking for a luxurious vehicle with plenty of space for passengers and cargo.

Rolls Royce Cullinan

Rolls Royce is the pinnacle of luxury, making it the preferred choice of the rich and famous. 

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is one of the most noteworthy models, offering the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. With its state-of-the-art technology, sumptuous leather seats and panoramic sunroof, it provides a truly opulent travel experience. 

How much does it cost to rent a luxury car?

Luxury cars cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 a day to rent. Companies determine price using a wide variety of factors including the specific car make, model, year, location, and availability. 

A good rule of thumb is around 0.5% of the value of the car. For example, something like the Porsche Cayenne would be about $170 - $200 a day. Meanwhile, a supercar like the Lamborghini Urus might go up to $1,100 - $1,500 a day. 

Of course, this does not include tax or insurance. Expect to pay another 10 - 15% on top of the advertised rate for tax and insurance. If you want premium services like delivery, pick-up, or fueling, that’s another expense to consider. 

While these extra fees can add up, one way to reduce costs is to take advantage of special promotions. For instance, many rental companies offer deals during the weekdays, for writing a review or sharing on social media, or even for booking long-term (a week or longer). 

Where to rent luxury cars?

Finding the right places to rent a luxury car may seem difficult, but it isn’t as hard as you might think. However, there are a few things you’ll want to look for before jumping into the driver’s seat.

First off, availability. Most commercial rental services won’t have supercars or even top luxury cars in their inventory. At most, they might have a BMW or two. Instead, check out smaller rental businesses or a car sharing service where hosts (normal car owners) rent out their personal vehicles.

Secondly, terms and conditions. If you do end up going with a big name rental company, prepare for the possibility of getting a different car than the one you reserved. That’s why on their booking page the description always says something to the effect of “you will receive a [INSERT SPECIFIC CAR MODEL] or similar.” 

Other important things to note are mileage cap, cancellation policy, and customer service. Make sure you are given sufficient miles for wherever you intend to travel. Additionally, plans always change, so make sure you like their policies revolving around trip changes and cancellations. 

Last but not least, while it may not seem important at the offset, good customer service can make the difference between a good and bad rental experience. Try to find a rental service that offers fast, efficient, and competent customer support.

If all goes well, you’ll be driving off into the sunset with a beautiful luxury car that’s worth the price and the research.

If you’d like to learn more about carSHAiR’s inventory of luxury cars available to rent across the world, visit carshair.com or download the app on iOS or Android.