Orlando Car Hire - Tahoe or Suburban
Discussion
I am travelling to Orlando in May. We are a party of 5 adults with lots of luggage (but only carrying luggage to and from our villa).
Looking at hiring either a Chevrolet Tahoe or Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban appears to have more boot space but looks enormous. Any advice based on experience?
Also, SIXT offer the best deals via Holiday Autos website but they are off the terminal. Any experiences of SIXT? Do they use new or old cars?
Any other recommendations welcome.
Thank you
Looking at hiring either a Chevrolet Tahoe or Chevrolet Suburban. The Suburban appears to have more boot space but looks enormous. Any advice based on experience?
Also, SIXT offer the best deals via Holiday Autos website but they are off the terminal. Any experiences of SIXT? Do they use new or old cars?
Any other recommendations welcome.
Thank you
The Suburban is huge, even the height can be an issue when parking. The Tahoe is still big and will take 3 big cases plus a couple of carry on without needing to use the cabin space. Both will use gas almost as fast as you can pump it in.
If touring then I would take the large Suburban. If you are only taking luggage to and from the airport and doing the rest as day trips thrown the Tahoe will be fine.
Sixth have a big European presence and work well. They are expanding the US fleet and have major airport locations only as far as I know. The vehicles are reasonably new and well kept. I have not heard any bad stories of “damage” being invented by Sixt though they did ding a colleague but he had just rolled a brand new E-Class in to a ditch.
Note that there will be an “or equivalent” clause in the booking so you may get offered something else. If you don’t like the alternative a quick walk around the car park will generally find you something suitable.
Check the ICE as not all US brands have CarPlay as standard (Chevy do). You could use this as a lever to get the car you want.
Join the Sixt loyalty program before you go and make sure you have that on your booking. There is generally a much shorter queue and often they send you straight to the car. Discount may apply to any upgrades etc.
If touring then I would take the large Suburban. If you are only taking luggage to and from the airport and doing the rest as day trips thrown the Tahoe will be fine.
Sixth have a big European presence and work well. They are expanding the US fleet and have major airport locations only as far as I know. The vehicles are reasonably new and well kept. I have not heard any bad stories of “damage” being invented by Sixt though they did ding a colleague but he had just rolled a brand new E-Class in to a ditch.
Note that there will be an “or equivalent” clause in the booking so you may get offered something else. If you don’t like the alternative a quick walk around the car park will generally find you something suitable.
Check the ICE as not all US brands have CarPlay as standard (Chevy do). You could use this as a lever to get the car you want.
Join the Sixt loyalty program before you go and make sure you have that on your booking. There is generally a much shorter queue and often they send you straight to the car. Discount may apply to any upgrades etc.
We are here now, and hired a Full Size SUV from Alamo, grabbed an upgrade to a Lincoln Navigator at the airport, 7 seater, and huge, I mean huge.
The seating configuration is 2-2-3, so you’ll need to drop 2 of the back 3 down to get luggage in but I’d recommend it for comedy value alone, the things enormous and American and rubbish. Great fun.
The seating configuration is 2-2-3, so you’ll need to drop 2 of the back 3 down to get luggage in but I’d recommend it for comedy value alone, the things enormous and American and rubbish. Great fun.
Sixt is so close to the northern perimeter of the airport as to not cause any inconvenience - in fact you can often get on the road faster because of its location. Their vehicles are just as up to date as everyone else's.
If you have a lot of luggage get the Suburban - it's not a huge amount longer than Tahoe, but folding down the 3rd row gives you a cavernous load space.
Vortec engine will give you around 20mpg overall and regular gas is currently around $3.00 per gallon.
I live in Orlando (close to MCO) so happy to help with any questions - particularly if it is less routinely touristy stuff.
If you have a lot of luggage get the Suburban - it's not a huge amount longer than Tahoe, but folding down the 3rd row gives you a cavernous load space.
Vortec engine will give you around 20mpg overall and regular gas is currently around $3.00 per gallon.
I live in Orlando (close to MCO) so happy to help with any questions - particularly if it is less routinely touristy stuff.
Matt Harper said:
Sixt is so close to the northern perimeter of the airport as to not cause any inconvenience - in fact you can often get on the road faster because of its location. Their vehicles are just as up to date as everyone else's.
If you have a lot of luggage get the Suburban - it's not a huge amount longer than Tahoe, but folding down the 3rd row gives you a cavernous load space.
Vortec engine will give you around 20mpg overall and regular gas is currently around $3.00 per gallon.
I live in Orlando (close to MCO) so happy to help with any questions - particularly if it is less routinely touristy stuff.
We would love some info! Here currently and we aren’t park addicts like many.If you have a lot of luggage get the Suburban - it's not a huge amount longer than Tahoe, but folding down the 3rd row gives you a cavernous load space.
Vortec engine will give you around 20mpg overall and regular gas is currently around $3.00 per gallon.
I live in Orlando (close to MCO) so happy to help with any questions - particularly if it is less routinely touristy stuff.
Would love an air boat ride but see mixed reviews.
Anything else really, we have 2 young kids 4 and 6.
Oh, and any Challenger Hellcat widebodys going cheap...?
rufmeister said:
We would love some info! Here currently and we aren’t park addicts like many.
Would love an air boat ride but see mixed reviews.
Anything else really, we have 2 young kids 4 and 6.
Oh, and any Challenger Hellcat widebodys going cheap...?
You ave numerous airboat options - the regular go-to is Boggy Creek Airboats on the south shore of Lake Toho, about 15 miles due south of the airport.Would love an air boat ride but see mixed reviews.
Anything else really, we have 2 young kids 4 and 6.
Oh, and any Challenger Hellcat widebodys going cheap...?
Lake Tohopekaliga has an abundance of wildlife and a healthy gator population, so most times you are going to get to see a variety of local fauna.
www.bcairboats.com There are plenty of others, depending on your willingness to travel further.
That said, for a more leisurely experience you might want to think about kayaking on Shingle Creek. Whenever we have family over, they all ask to do this. Contact www.paddlingcenter.com. Shingle Creek is lovely, shady and a real escape from the usual tourist tat.
Sadly, no Widebodys going cheap.
Matt Harper said:
You ave numerous airboat options - the regular go-to is Boggy Creek Airboats on the south shore of Lake Toho, about 15 miles due south of the airport.
Lake Tohopekaliga has an abundance of wildlife and a healthy gator population, so most times you are going to get to see a variety of local fauna.
www.bcairboats.com There are plenty of others, depending on your willingness to travel further.
That said, for a more leisurely experience you might want to think about kayaking on Shingle Creek. Whenever we have family over, they all ask to do this. Contact www.paddlingcenter.com. Shingle Creek is lovely, shady and a real escape from the usual tourist tat.
Sadly, no Widebodys going cheap.
We are literally next door to Shingle Creek! My wife is worried about Gators if we were kayaking. I really fancy it!Lake Tohopekaliga has an abundance of wildlife and a healthy gator population, so most times you are going to get to see a variety of local fauna.
www.bcairboats.com There are plenty of others, depending on your willingness to travel further.
That said, for a more leisurely experience you might want to think about kayaking on Shingle Creek. Whenever we have family over, they all ask to do this. Contact www.paddlingcenter.com. Shingle Creek is lovely, shady and a real escape from the usual tourist tat.
Sadly, no Widebodys going cheap.
We are off there soon, have been five times in the last two years and always use Europcar.
All the other major car hire firms try to hammer you for all the insurance add ons, but after a load of research I established that Europcar are pretty much the only ones who include them in their rates (CDW and SLI I think they are).
Anyway, on top of the Orlando trips I’ve been to the US a lot with work the last 2-3 years and swear by Europcar. Their US affiliate is Advantage, but don’t book directly with them because the insurances are then add ons and not included in the rates, book with Europcar direct.
We’ve got a large SUV for late April for approx £340 for 10 days. Sometimes I book a smaller vehicle and get an upgrade at the desk (you can only do this if you don’t pay in full before pickup) but as we have more people with us this time, I had to pony up the money upfront as I couldn’t chance not getting the upgrade.
All the other major car hire firms try to hammer you for all the insurance add ons, but after a load of research I established that Europcar are pretty much the only ones who include them in their rates (CDW and SLI I think they are).
Anyway, on top of the Orlando trips I’ve been to the US a lot with work the last 2-3 years and swear by Europcar. Their US affiliate is Advantage, but don’t book directly with them because the insurances are then add ons and not included in the rates, book with Europcar direct.
We’ve got a large SUV for late April for approx £340 for 10 days. Sometimes I book a smaller vehicle and get an upgrade at the desk (you can only do this if you don’t pay in full before pickup) but as we have more people with us this time, I had to pony up the money upfront as I couldn’t chance not getting the upgrade.
Ah, yes... Europcar
I booked a business trip rental car with them to collect in Tampa, but I had no idea who their local affiliate was, so had to ask half a dozen desks before someone told me it was Advantage, who were tucked away in a corner in the new airport rental car area!
It's good to know about their insurance differences as I wasn't aware of that, and I go to Florida for business trips a few times a year.
OP: enjoy your trip. My wife and kids (16 & 18) aren't interested in going to Florida. I always enjoy my trips there, even if it's on business.
I booked a business trip rental car with them to collect in Tampa, but I had no idea who their local affiliate was, so had to ask half a dozen desks before someone told me it was Advantage, who were tucked away in a corner in the new airport rental car area!
It's good to know about their insurance differences as I wasn't aware of that, and I go to Florida for business trips a few times a year.
OP: enjoy your trip. My wife and kids (16 & 18) aren't interested in going to Florida. I always enjoy my trips there, even if it's on business.
foobies said:
All the other major car hire firms try to hammer you for all the insurance add ons, but after a load of research I established that Europcar are pretty much the only ones who include them in their rates (CDW and SLI I think they are).
Not so. Nearly all the rental companies will include CDW & SLI at no extra cost for UK renters.foobies said:
All the other major car hire firms try to hammer you for all the insurance add ons, but after a load of research I established that Europcar are pretty much the only ones who include them in their rates (CDW and SLI I think they are).
Anyway, on top of the Orlando trips I’ve been to the US a lot with work the last 2-3 years and swear by Europcar. Their US affiliate is Advantage, but don’t book directly with them because the insurances are then add ons and not included in the rates, book with Europcar direct.
You've picked up the difference in the second paragraph - if you book on a rental companies US website then you basically only get the car because US residents car insurance covers them in rental cars.Anyway, on top of the Orlando trips I’ve been to the US a lot with work the last 2-3 years and swear by Europcar. Their US affiliate is Advantage, but don’t book directly with them because the insurances are then add ons and not included in the rates, book with Europcar direct.
If you book through a UK site, or someone like Expedia etc, then you'll get an all-inclusive rate. Likely they will still try and sell you enhanced recovery and personal injury insurance at the desk / kiosk.
foobies said:
We’ve got a large SUV for late April for approx £340 for 10 days. Sometimes I book a smaller vehicle and get an upgrade at the desk (you can only do this if you don’t pay in full before pickup) but as we have more people with us this time, I had to pony up the money upfront as I couldn’t chance not getting the upgrade.
I've no idea how much difference it makes but multple times we've been offered upgrades even though we usually pay in advance.rufmeister said:
We are here now, and hired a Full Size SUV from Alamo, grabbed an upgrade to a Lincoln Navigator at the airport, 7 seater, and huge, I mean huge.
The seating configuration is 2-2-3, so you’ll need to drop 2 of the back 3 down to get luggage in but I’d recommend it for comedy value alone, the things enormous and American and rubbish. Great fun.
That must have Captains Chairs for the second row which is an option, but maybe all the rentals are like that. We, completely randomly, were given a Cadillac Escalde by Hertz when I'd booked a standard SUV on an Expedia 'glitch' rate of about £200 for 18 days. The seating configuration is 2-2-3, so you’ll need to drop 2 of the back 3 down to get luggage in but I’d recommend it for comedy value alone, the things enormous and American and rubbish. Great fun.
That had 2/3/2 seating. To be honest I thought it was completely awesome - it took me a couple of days to be able to take-off from rest without snapping everyone's heads back! It was pretty good on MPG as it dropped into V4 mode at steady throttle - it was showing 20 (US) MPG. We had a V8 AWD Dodge Durango in the past that did 11MPG - and we did a lot of miles in that.
Got to say the full size SUV experience can be a hoot. If you're in, as we were on one trip, a very shiny black Suburban, the traffic around DC, in particular, used to part like the Red Sea.
Just noticed Ford no longer do the Excursion, that was one big bus, went all the wsy from PA to Florida, never saw much above 11mpg out of the V10, got sick of filling stations.
Just noticed Ford no longer do the Excursion, that was one big bus, went all the wsy from PA to Florida, never saw much above 11mpg out of the V10, got sick of filling stations.
Just come back from New England where there were 5 of us skiing. We were given a Tahoe, but we did not fit, especially with the weird 2-2-3 seating. No skis etc, just bags and 5 adults. We upgraded to a Suburban - would definitely recommend it, especially if a long trip. On the big wide US roads with huge parking spaces it will not seem as big as you think.
The Suburban is enormous and the back is in a different zip code to the front, but parking it in the US is no different to parking a mid to large size family car in this country. It fills the space and you have to pick one that's not got people over the line on each side but still ok to get in and out and to be honest given the Tahoe and Suburban are essentially the same vehicle just different lengths there is not much to choose from in that regard.
Driving a Suburban XL around Florida takes a few miles to get used to but not really a problem unless your really nervous and don't take to different vehicles easily. After two weeks of driving one around Naples we headed north and had no problems driving it through Washington DC and Manhattan. On the interstate cruse in V4 eco mode we saw 27MPG (US) and full chat foot to the floor on an uphill on ramp as low as 2mpg but certainly no slouch given its size.
Do you need the extra length of the Suburban, possibly, You get a very decent trunk with it so if you have a lot of luggage to go a decent distance then it might be worth it. On the other hand you can easily get 5 adults in the front two rows of a Tahoe if its just to the hotel and still have a good trunk space but how much luggage are you actually talking about. Also there are XL version which make a big difference to trunk size, the XL's usually being the larger premium SUV class.
Driving a Suburban XL around Florida takes a few miles to get used to but not really a problem unless your really nervous and don't take to different vehicles easily. After two weeks of driving one around Naples we headed north and had no problems driving it through Washington DC and Manhattan. On the interstate cruse in V4 eco mode we saw 27MPG (US) and full chat foot to the floor on an uphill on ramp as low as 2mpg but certainly no slouch given its size.
Do you need the extra length of the Suburban, possibly, You get a very decent trunk with it so if you have a lot of luggage to go a decent distance then it might be worth it. On the other hand you can easily get 5 adults in the front two rows of a Tahoe if its just to the hotel and still have a good trunk space but how much luggage are you actually talking about. Also there are XL version which make a big difference to trunk size, the XL's usually being the larger premium SUV class.
On car rental you might want to consider the express collection or whatever it’s called when you book which means you skip the deals and go straight to the car lot. You then choose from what’s available in your car category. It also means you circumvent the insurance hard-sell at the desk
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