The Best Rental Cars for Mountain Driving

There is a false belief that driving in the mountains is less difficult, especially if the view is beautiful and the route seemingly easy.

However, driving in the mountains, particularly during the winter months, calls for extra precautions and a car that can respond to challenging terrain and difficult surfaces. 

If you're thinking about renting a car for a road trip to mountainous areas, here are some of the best car rental options and useful tips for safe driving in mountainous areas.

Features rental cars for mountain driving should have

The perfect car for mountain driving should be flexible and capable of providing safety and stability on bumpy roads and steep inclines.

When planning a trip to mountainous regions you should take into consideration the following features of rental cars.

• Ground clearance: Cars with high ground clearance are ideal for driving in mountainous areas as it protects the vehicle from damage caused by uneven terrain.
• Good suspension system: Comfort, safety, performance. That's what a good suspension system offers. In 4X4 and SUV cars the suspensions are more durable which allows them to absorb shocks more effectively and quickly.
• Lightweight and strong construction: Lightweight yet strong construction improves performance and fuel efficiency, especially in cars that travel long distances.

Our suggestions with the best rental cars for mountain driving

Jeep Avenger

An excellent choice for both stylish urban transportation and mountain getaways. The Jeep Avenger can be a trusty companion on your mountain adventures, offering remarkable performance. It is worth mentioning that apart from its durable structure, the Jeep Avenger also offers quite a good capacity, which makes it perfect for family vacations as well.
 

VW T-Cross

The T-Cross is a contemporary compact SUV suitable for trips to mountain villages as it can easily pass small bumps and low obstacles because of its good ground clearance. In short, the VW T-Cross is not built for challenging roads or steep mountain slopes, but it can certainly handle mild mountain conditions. 
 

Dacia Duster

You should definitely take a look at the Dacia Duster if you're searching for a family SUV that can handle rough terrain. In this case, we have a car built for adventure and can easily manoeuvre hills and slopes. 

Since we've introduced you to our top 3 cars for mountainous areas, it's high time we gave you some ideas for your next mountain destination.

A city that can serve as the perfect starting point for mountain excursions is Thessaloniki. Read our article "Winter destinations near Thessaloniki", get some inspiration, rent a car from Thessaloniki airport and prepare for new experiences! On the other hand, if you want to combine mountain and sea you can check out our blog "The best villages in Rethymno".

Tips for safe mountain driving

Keep in mind our mountain driving tips. 

• Stay focused: Driving can be tiring. In case you feel tired, it is better to make a stop and continue your journey after resting.
• Keep your distance: If the road is slick or  visibility is poor it is best to keep a safe distance from the cars in front of you.
• Keep a constant speed: Respect the speed limits and pay attention to steep turns and downhills.

All that's left now is to buckle up and set off on the ultimate mountain trip!