Compact rental cars: when to choose one

Golf-class cars (VW Golf, Peugeot 208, Toyota Corolla). Enough space for two adults and luggage, efficient, and comfortable on motorways.

Compact cars in our database

A compact is the safest all-round choice for two adults and luggage on mixed roads.
Compare the fuel type on the booking: diesel suits long distances, petrol and hybrid suit shorter trips and cities.
Look at the boot figure in the spec sheet if you carry more than two suitcases.

Morocco, summer: Inland temperatures in Marrakech and the south regularly pass 40 degrees, so working air conditioning matters more than engine size.
Spain, winter: Most of Spain is mild in winter, so a compact is enough on coast and city routes.
Portugal, winter: Winters are mild on the coast but wet, so a compact with good tyres and wipers is enough.
Portugal, long road trips: Distances are short by European standards, so a compact is plenty for Lisbon to the Algarve or Porto to the Douro.
Italy, mountain roads: Passes like the Stelvio and Dolomites have hairpins and short seasons.
France, summer: A compact car is the best fit for summer roads in Provence, the Riviera and Brittany.
Greece, winter: Lowland Greece is mild in winter, so a compact is sufficient.
Greece, long road trips: The main routes between Athens, Thessaloniki and the Peloponnese are tolled motorways in good condition, and a compact car is comfortable enough for those distances.
Turkey, summer: Antalya and the Aegean coast get very hot, so a compact with strong air conditioning is a comfortable and economical choice for coastal roads.
United Arab Emirates, summer: Summer is about A/C and reliability, not size.
Iceland, summer: On the paved Ring Road and main tourist routes, a small car is cheaper and easier to drive.