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Rental cars aren’t cheap nowadays because of a growing demand for them. Car rental companies sold off much of their fleets during the pandemic to make ends meet. But now, as more Americans get vaccinated and yearn for time off, they’re planning their next road trip.

If you’re excited to hit the road, consider these three fun options. But don’t wait too long to book — they’re going fast.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler is a fun SUV for road trips

While rental prices vary by location, what won’t vary is the fact that the Jeep Wrangler is a fun option for a road trip. According to DriveTribe, the Wrangler is a comfortable and fun-to-drive small SUV. Most rental Wranglers will probably have the standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that gets 285-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. As such, it’s powerful enough to give you a good time on a road trip.

And surprisingly, the cabin is designed for comfort. Most of the Wrangler’s interior is cloth as standard, and it’s comfortable and supportive enough for everyday driving and vacation adventures. 

With that being said, the best part about the Jeep Wrangler is its off-road ability. However, that’s not something most rental car users will get to experience. Most rental car companies don’t allow their cars to be driven off-road, which means that renters should avoid off-roading in their Wranglers. But you’ll look cool driving to the beach or mountains in one.

Try the 2020 Mazda3 for a zippy road trip

It’s no surprise that some of the best rental cars are good cars to own, too. For example, U.S. News calls the Mazda3 one of the best rental car options of 2021. The publication also deems the Mazda3 the best compact car.

Though the Mazda3’s rear seats could be more spacious, U.S. News thinks this car is well-equipped and powerful. The Mazda3 also has plenty of smart safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. That being said, the Mazda3 is less high-tech in other ways, as it has an 8.8-inch display with physical controls rather than a touchscreen. 

In any case, its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, gives the Mazda3 great acceleration, U.S. News reports. It also boasts Mazda’s signature zippy handling. So, combined with its comfortable cabin design, the Mazda3 is a fun car to rent for any road trip.

Cruise in a 2020 Ford Mustang convertible

Road trips are supposed to be fun, so if you’re not toting a ton of people, consider renting a sports car for an exciting drive. The Ford Mustang isn’t a practical choice for daily driving, so renting one is a great way to experience America’s iconic pony car.

Most rental Mustang models pack a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but it still produces 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine allows the Mustang to cruise at a brisk pace without guzzling gas. In fact, U.S. News reports that the 2.3-liter engine gets 32 mpg on highways.

On top of that, not only is the Mustang easy on the eyes, but if you can find a convertible model for your road trip, it’ll be a great way to sightsee, too. Plus, though it’s not a huge car, U.S. News says the Mustang offers more than enough room for bags, luggage, and four passengers.

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