Turo is a strong option for budget-conscious renters seeking unique vehicles and free additional drivers, but it may have mileage restrictions. National Car Rental offers a more traditional rental experience with numerous locations and a focus on cleanliness, but it comes with additional driver fees and lower customer service ratings.
| Attribute | Turo | National Car Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Price | Up to 35% cheaper than traditional rental services; as low as $29 per day in Atlanta (May 2025) | The average rental car from National costs $62 per day. Prices in New York start from $61/day. |
| Vehicle Selection and Availability | Wide range of vehicles, including trucks, moving vans, and sports cars; over 1,600 unique makes and models; aims for sufficient options in each city | National offers a wide range of vehicles. The most frequently booked rental car type from National is Luxury (Cadillac CT6 or similar). |
| Insurance Options and Coverage | Tiered insurance plans for hosts and renters; liability coverage up to $750,000 for both hosts and renters; protection plans only cover trips booked through Turo | National provides various insurance options, including Damage Waiver (DW), Personal Effects Coverage (PEC), Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), and Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP). |
| Pickup and Drop-off Locations | Convenient pickup locations; many hosts offer delivery services to your home, hotel, or airport (typically increases the price) | National has 2,124 rental locations worldwide. Many are located at airports. |
| Customer Service Responsiveness | 24/7 for urgent matters; email support provides responses within 24 to 48 hours | National has an overall Customer Service score of 1.8 out of 5 stars. |
| Vehicle Cleanliness and Maintenance | Policies to ensure cars are well-maintained; requires all cars to have over 30% 5-star maintenance ratings from customers | National Car Rental has a 'Complete Clean Pledge'. Vehicles are thoroughly cleaned between every rental, with attention to high-touch points. Customers say National cars are fairly clean. |
| Mileage Restrictions | Some rentals have mileage caps; Turo determines minimum distance per day based on vehicle's value or location; option to increase distance allowed or offer unlimited distance | Unlimited mileage is offered on some rentals. |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund up to 24 hours before trip starts; one-hour free cancellation if booking with less than 24 hours' notice; immediate notification if host cancels with assistance in finding another car | Generally, National does not charge a cancellation fee if you don't prepay. For prepaid reservations, National typically charges $100 if you cancel less than 24 hours before the scheduled pickup time. If you cancel at least a day ahead, the fee is $50. To cancel, you can visit National's website or call 844-382-6875. |
| Late Return Policy | Grace period of approximately 29 minutes; late fees apply after grace period | National typically offers a 29-minute grace period for daily rentals. Returning the vehicle more than 2 ½ hours late may result in additional hourly or daily rental fees. |
| Additional Driver Fees | No fees for adding additional drivers, but they must be added at least 24 hours before the trip starts | There is usually a daily additional driver fee that averages $12 a day, but it can vary. Some exceptions apply. The fee is waived for spouses or domestic partners in some states (California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin). Emerald Club members may have the fee waived for a spouse, common-law spouse, or same-sex domestic partner with the same address on their driver's license. |
| Geographic Coverage Area | United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and several Canadian provinces; drive anywhere within the country where the trip originated | National has rental locations in many countries. |
| User Reviews and Ratings | Generally positive ratings and reviews; 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot with 4.4 out of 5 stars from 52K reviews (May 2025) | Overall: 4.7 stars from 194 reviews, Customer Satisfaction: 21, App Store Rating: 4.8 out of 5 |