Best Car Rental Companies in the United States (2025)
Choosing a reputable car rental company ensures reliability, convenience, and excellent customer service. Based on market strength, customer satisfaction, fleet quality, and awards in 2025, here are the top contenders:
1. National Car Rental
- Ranked #1 for customer satisfaction by Travel + Leisure and Business Travel News for the 10th consecutive year.
- Emerald Club perks: Skip the counter, choose any car from the Emerald Aisle, free upgrades.
- Strong airport presence, seamless business travel, and excellent loyalty program.
- Reader Score: 86.75.
2. SIXT
- Modern fleet and luxury vehicle options.
- Award-winning for family travel and premium service: USA Today 10Best Choice (2025), multiple hospitality awards.
- Fast-growing US presence with new branches.
- Reader Score: 79.84.
3. Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Largest network: Over 4,198 US locations, excellent availability, particularly for local non-airport rentals.
- Strong customer ratings and competitive pricing.
- Offers pickup service to your location.
- Reader Score: 79.39.
4. Alamo Rent A Car
- Part of Enterprise Holdings.
- Best for families and leisure travel: Quick kiosks, easy online check-ins.
- Extensive airport locations.
- Reader Score: 77.11.
5. Hertz
- Legacy brand with established loyalty program (Gold Plus Rewards).
- Huge airport and downtown coverage.
- Recently refreshed vehicle fleet.
- Reader Score: Not ranked in Top 5 for 2025, but remains popular.
6. Avis/Budget
- Reliable for business and leisure travelers.
- Over 1,395 Avis and 1,309 Budget locations across the US.
- Flexible vehicle options, good for longer rentals.
- Reader Score: Top 10, strong industry reputation.
Quick Comparison Table
| Company | Awards & Recognition | Network Size | Specialty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | #1 in customer satisfaction, Emerald Club | 1,500+ | Loyalty, speed | Frequent travelers |
| SIXT | Multiple travel awards, modern fleet | Fast-growing | Luxury, family | Premium renters |
| Enterprise | Market leader, service awards | 4,198+ | Local, broad coverage | General use |
| Alamo | Top leisure/airport brand | 300+ airports | Family/kiosk check-in | Vacationers |
| Hertz | Legacy brand, global coverage | 2,719+ | Rewards, availability | Traditional use |
| Avis/Budget | Business/travel reliability | 2,704+ | Flexibility, deals | Work/leisure |
Other Notables
- Europcar: International travelers, growing US presence.
- Dollar, Thrifty, ACE: Budget-focused and smaller market coverage.
Tips:
- Join loyalty programs for faster check-in and rewards.
- Compare prices and vehicle options before booking, especially during peak travel times.
- Consider coverage offerings, including insurance and roadside assistance.
For a seamless car rental experience in the USA, National, SIXT, and Enterprise stand out as the top choices in 2025 for reliability, service, and value.
