Just as Airbnb allows enterprising individuals to provide an attractive alternative to hotel rooms, Turo replaces the boring rental cars by enabling individuals to rent out their cars.
So, instead of getting stuck behind the wheel of your usual vehicle over the next vacation, the platform makes it easy to rent and drive an exciting car.
We wanted to see the best cars in Turo for 2023, and what we found out was exciting.
We’ve broken down this Turo review into easy-to-read categories that will also help you choose what car to rent out for the holidays.
Without much ado, here are tantalizing options that are making weekend trips and staycations fun for guests and a passive income for owners.
What are the Best Cars on Turo?
These are the vehicles that are receiving the highest rental numbers on Turo.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is not only a popular rental vehicle on Turo.
It’s also one of America’s favorite compact cars.
It’s not only one of the best cars for Uber and one of the best gas mileage cars, but also one of America’s favorite compact cars.
Drivers and owners appreciate Corolla’s latest generation lineup, which brings a nice interior and improved performance.
Top reasons for its popularity on Turo include:
- It’s an affordable, high-quality vehicle for owners.
- The hatchback body style allows guests to carry extra cargo.
- The new generation Corolla is available in a 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter engine for zippy performance.
- Drivers who require a fuel saver choose the Toyota Corolla for its return of 30 mpg in city traffic and up to 38 mpg at highway speeds.
Ford Mustang
If you want a thrilling ride, the Ford Mustang is the right choice.
The Mustang badge depicts fierceness, power, and an appealing design.
Sixth-generation Mustangs offer many features that drivers and owners on Turo love, including:
- A sleeker styling.
- An optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine is available.
- A telescoping steering wheel feature allows further tilt adjustment for better driving comfort.
- The rear seats are not much different no matter the Mustang year, offering plenty of space for children or even stuff that won’t fit the trunk.
Toyota Prius
The Prius is Toyota’s hybrid standard vehicle for over 20 years, available at an affordable base price.
When it first rolled off the assembly lines in the 90s, the Prius was a four-door sedan but is now offered as a five-door cross between a hatchback and standard sedan-liftback.
Toyota Prius is one of the best cars on Turo because:
- It’s an environmentally friendly option that emits significantly lower carbon monoxide amounts into the air.
- The Prius Prime is one of the most fuel-efficient Toyota cars on roads offering 54 combined mpg for city and highway commutes.
- The Prius line comes with plenty of excellent standard features, including heated mirrors for quick defrost, LED lamps, heated front seats, and a smart-enabled infotainment system.
- 2020 Toyota Prius is one of the few hybrids offering all-wheel drivability, ensuring improved traction in rough weather.
Toyota Camry
The Camry’s outstanding passenger comfort and reliability make it one of the best cars on Turo.
AWD options are especially popular with drivers in the Snowbelt, but here are other reasons for choosing a Camry:
- The four-cylinder engine offers 202 horsepower for excellent acceleration during town driving.
- An optional V6 engine helps it achieve 301 horsepower, so the Camry hits 60 mph in 5.8 seconds.
- Rear passengers get ample knee room, making this Camry a practical car for the family or taking road trips.
- The Camry is a well-engineered automobile that ensures owners won’t have to spend a fortune on unexpected mechanical repairs.
Jeep Wrangler
Unlike many vehicles, the Jeep Wrangler can take you anywhere as long as it’s within the limits of the law.
Wranglers are an excellent option for those looking for a rugged ride because:
- The vehicle offers unrivaled off-road capability.
- It’s available in a two-door option for off-roading thanks to a shorter wheelbase and a four-door option for those who need extra space.
- The open-air capability allows an off-roading experience that connects you with the surroundings.
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is one of the best performing entry-level sports cars that continues to draw in drivers each year.
There are several reasons for the 3 Series taking the top position, including:
- A luxurious and spacious cabin.
- Exceptional tech features include a touchscreen with console buttons and voice commands for control, USB ports, IDrive with navigation, and smartphone compatibility.
- Xdrive technology changes the power distributions between the front and rear axles depending on your driving conditions.
- Multiple safety features include City Collision Mitigation, Blind-spot monitoring, Frontal Collision warning, and lane-keeping assist.
Tesla Model 3
Do you want to avoid gas stations altogether?
Then the Tesla Model 3 is a desirable option that offers excellent savings over traditional diesel or even hybrids.
Apart from zero emissions, Model 3 is a favorite for many drivers on Turo for several reasons.
These include:
- The safest car in the world with superb visibility, a giant backup camera display, lane-keeping feature, and automatic lane changing.
- The Tesla Model 3 is a joy to drive when considering quick acceleration and excellent handling.
- A beautiful design that leaves drivers in awe every time they look at it.
- The large horizontal screen is a better option for kids into Netflix, YouTube, Beach Buggy, and so much more in between running chores.
Honda Civic
Honda has a solid reputation for building practical and reliable vehicles, including the Civic.
It’s a favorite among drivers who prefer a compact sedan.
The 2021 Honda Civic, for example, brings you an aerodynamic body in a compact size and an appealing look.
Other reasons why it’s so popular include:
- The just over 106-inch high wheelbase and 56 inches height makes the Civic an excellent option for urban driving and squeezing into tight spaces.
- Honda Civic comes in LX and Sport trims and options with turbocharged engines.
- An impressive safety package that includes Honda Sensing technology.
- SiriusXM and HD Radio are standard in most Honda Civic trims.
Hyundai Elantra
The sixth and seventh-generation Hyundai Elantras are compact sedans that come with impressive safety ratings.
However, be on the lookout for the seventh generation Elantra that comes packed with a host of benefits, including:
- Generous backseat space for tall adults to feel comfortable.
- The Elantra is available in a hybrid trim that offers 50 mpg combined highway and city driving.
- Automatic smartphone wireless integration is standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you never have to carry a cord.
- A comprehensive suite of driver aids, including forward-collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assistance.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Since its arrival in 1993, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a true all-around for any renter who values comfort, efficiency, and high equipment levels.
Give the C-Class a second look if you are looking for a luxury compact car with plenty of strengths, including:
- Three body styles and powerful engine options.
- Fittings such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a backup camera, and heated seats.
- The best interiors in the class.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has high safety ratings for the 2021 version.
The Nicest Cars on Turo
Turo features a handy favorite list that lets us see the most excellent and most-favorited vehicles on the platform.
The list includes some of the biggest names in the motoring industry.
Lamborghini Huracán
This car makes it to the top of the list for its dramatic and aggressively exotic model.
Sometimes known as the baby Lambo, the Lamborghini Huracán offers drivers supercar performance with Italian flair.
Porsche 718 Boxster
Next is the convertible Boxster, currently the 718 Boxster in the current generation.
The car brings an undeniable Porsche look.
The Boxster is also easy to drive and an excellent option for supercar enthusiasts and laypeople on Turo.
BMW i8
The i8 is a plug-in hybrid that opened the way for other hybrid sports cars.
BMW i8 features a futuristic style that includes dihedral doors, a street shark shape, and flying buttresses.
Overall, this i8 is a firm favorite for cruising around on special and sunny days.
Porsche 718 Cayman
This 718 Cayman is available in two transmission choices and sits right at the affordable edge of the Porsche sportscar range.
The car is practical and comfortable enough to make a great daily driver or even for running between errands.
Each drive feels like a real adventure each minute.
Aston Martin Vantage
Aston Martins became famous after featuring in the James Bond franchise, but you don’t have to be a super spy to drive one.
The Vantage is an excellent entry-level Aston that’s as beautiful as cars should get and with impressive specs under the hood.
Handling and suspension of the car are so smooth that they may distort your perception of how fast you’re going.
Jaguar F-Type
The car comes in convertible and sleek coupe body styles and an impressive lineup of four, six, and eight-cylinder engines.
Unlike many cars in the same performance capability, you can use the Jaguar F-Type for your daily commute with no regrets and have a blast on back roads as you return it.
The car sits comfortably in traffic, with all the modern conveniences to make your ride comfortable.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
When you drive the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it doesn’t feel like you are in an SUV.
The model offers you all the benefits of SUV driving without the muscle and weight feel of a truck.
The thinner steering wheel is easy to grip and conveniently placed minimalist driver controls to ensure everything is at your fingertips.
Wheels on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio are elegant and open, making them the ideal jewelry that compliments a cocktail dress or even jeans.
Audi Q8
Another SUV on the list is the Audi Q8, which is an all-wheel-drive family hauler that boasts of its athletic and sleek design.
The Q8 is the ideal vehicle for long trips, and a quiet cabin can be deceptive as it gathers speed.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that’s sufficiently muscular for high-altitude driving without a turbo lag.
Lexus LC 500
Built on a stiff Lexus chassis, the LC 500 feels responsive, eager, substantial, and easy to drive fast.
A naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine sounds great at all RPMs, which explains the reason behind its position on this list.
The sound is disruptively loud and addictive, an excellent choice when you want to make an entrance.
Bentley Continental GTC
After 50 years in the making, the third-generation Bentley Continental GT Coupe makes getting you from one stop to the next much more fun.
The Continental GTC features a 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine, V8 petrol engine, or an electric V6 plug-in hybrid.
While Bentley interiors have always been the finest globally, infotainment technology and a new chassis make the GTC the all-around grand tourer Turo rental car.
Top Performing Cars on Turo in 2021
So, what cars are most profitable for renting out on Turo?
Out of the over 350,000 vehicles on Turo, some makes and models provide a better return than others.
Here are the top-performing vehicles in different categories on the platform.
Daily Drivers
These are vehicles that renters consider when they want to move from one point to another.
The selections are affordable and secure frequent bookings and long trips, excellent news for car owners.
Fiat 500
Despite its small size and cargo capacity, the Fiat 500 brings in a high number of drivers.
The average monthly return on the car is $474 out of 17 days of booking each month.
Ford Fiesta
An excellent driving position and supportive seats make the Ford Fiesta another daily drive favorite.
The car brings in about $497 a month with an average of 21 days of booking monthly.
A 1.9 times the average monthly payment is an excellent profit margin for car owners.
Smart ForTwo
If you’re on the market for something fuel-efficient and small enough to make it around urban traffic, the Smart ForTwo is the right choice.
ForTwo brings in an average of $407 with bookings for an average of 18 days monthly.
The average daily trip price is $31, so it will take you about 9.3 days a month to make the monthly payment.
Sport
Many Turo renters use the platform to experience sports cars they might not afford.
Others will use the service to drive sports cars they want to purchase.
In the sports car category, the leading rentals are not as expensive as you might think.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang takes the first spot with an average $796 monthly profit, which is 2.3 times more than the average monthly payment for cars in this category.
Chevy Camero
This entrant is an iconic pony car that’s popular with international guests looking to experience the United States in an American car.
It brings in an average of $755 a month from about $73 daily.
Porsche Boxster
The Boxster is another popular sports car with drivers looking for the Porsche driving experience.
A Turo host makes an average of $1,365 renting out the Boxster, which is 1.8 times the average monthly payment.
Luxury
Do you want to see what the options look like in the luxury category?
The results are fascinating.
Audi A3
The Audi A3 is easily the number one luxury car on Turo, commanding at least $738 a month.
Expect your A3 to be in the drivers’ hands for an average of 17.5 days monthly, at about $62 a day.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The CLA-Class is another German luxury car high in the luxury category.
Expect your vehicle to have a booking about 14 days a month at $80 daily, bringing you $744 at the end of the month.
BMW 3 Series
Renters can’t get enough of the BMW 3 Series as it brings in $664 monthly at $69 daily.
The popular car takes around nine days to reach the monthly payment target.
Trucks & SUVs
Turo lets renters drive vehicles of their dreams or vehicles they’ve always wanted to experience.
Renting out your truck and SUV on the platform is an excellent money-making venture, but which one?
Jeep Wrangler
Turo’s top-earning SUV is the Jeep Wrangler, which makes about $851 a month on average.
Renters booked the vehicle for an average of 14 days a month, costing renters a daily price of $91.
Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is another popular option in the trucks and SUVs category.
It earns as much as $645 a month while attracting a daily price of about $56.
It would take you an average of eight days to reach the monthly payment.
Ford Escape
Do you know that owning a Ford Escape can be a lucrative investment?
With Turo, you can make as much as $588 a month and $52 a day.
Owners rent these vehicles for an average of 17 days a month.
Vans & Minivans
The van or minivan sitting out in the yard can make you some cash on Turo.
Demand for these vehicles depends on factors such as availability, location, and price.
However, what are the top van and minivan rentals on the car-sharing platform?
Dodge Grand Caravan
The Grand Caravan is a popular choice for guests traveling with a family.
Expect an average of $537 and 14.5 days of bookings monthly.
The monthly payment is at least 2.5 times what you’d expect from renting out similar cars.
Nissan Quest
Bringing in $545 a month, the Nissan Quest is a popular choice because of its versatility.
It will take about nine days to reach the average monthly payment with your Quest.
Chrysler Town & Country
Make about $526 monthly by renting out your Chrysler Town & Country to guests.
The average daily price is $64, while the monthly payment is 1.3 times that of vehicles in the same category.
Best Cities for Turo
Before you list your car, or multiple cars, on Turo, make sure you understand the local market is going to be.
This is because your location will dictate the type of car you should list and which one does well on the Turo marketplace.
Who’s going to rent your car?
- People working or traveling to the CBD may prefer an economical car;
- Vacationers are looking for a large SUV or a convertible;
- Travelers to the mountains want either an SUV or crossover.
While evaluating your city, understand why people are looking for rentals and what cars are in demand in your area.
For example, a convertible isn’t the best personal car to rent out in an area that experiences frequent rain.
Use these indicators to evaluate what car type will do well in your location.
However, Turo offers a list of cities with the highest number of bookings.
So, get started there.
According to Turo, these are the 10 hottest markets for rentals in summer:
- Jackson, WY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Denver, CO
- San Francisco, CA
- Whitefish Mountain, MT
- Atlanta, GA
- Orlando, FL
- Newark, NJ
- Smoky Mountains, TN
After you’ve had a look at the best Turo cities, it’s time to evaluate the most rented cars in each market.
Below are some cars in popular destinations in North America.
Most Rented Cars on Turo in Hawaii
Hawaii might be one of the smallest states, but the sticker price on rentals can be shocking.
A steady increase in visitors through early 2021 has driven the traditional car rental cost from $50 to $600 a day!
This is bad news for those planning Hawaii vacations, forcing many to book small U-Haul vehicles to explore the islands.
More visitors are turning to Turo to rent private vehicles.
A search on the platform reveals vehicle options range between $30 and $1,095 in Honolulu, depending on the car make.
The most popular cars among guests on Turo in Hawaii are:
- Ford Mustang
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Tesla Model 3
- Toyota Prius
Most Rented Cars on Turo in Washington, DC
Washington, DC is in the eastern region of the U.S. on the Potomac River’s east bank.
The city has about 6.3 million residents and includes parts of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.
Statistics show that Washington DC attracted about 23 million domestic tourists and close to one million international tourists in 2019.
The biggest attractions are The White House and the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, and several Museums.
As tourism recovers, D.C. will also experience an increase in convention and meetings bookings.
This also means a notable increase in demand for rental cars.
Renting your surplus private vehicle over the Turo marketplace will net you between $23 daily for a 2012 Ford Fiesta or a 2019 Kia Optima to $1,070 daily for the sporty 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo.
The most popular vehicles among guests on Turo in Washington DC include:
- Toyota Prius
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Yaris
- Buick Roadmaster
- Porsche Boxster
Most Rented Cars on Turo in Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL is the third-largest city in the U.S., offering Michelin-starred restaurants, culture, a thriving Central Business District, and neighborhoods with a colorful history.
Carsharing apps like Turo offer locals and visitors in the city a chance to get between points A and B and explore an extensive array of sites.
Renting out your vehicle in Chicago can net you about $21 a day if you own a Smart ForTwo or Scion iQ on the lower end.
The highest-priced vehicles on Turo include a Rolls Royce Ghost which may bring in $1,080 a day, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class at $1,000 daily.
Top-rated vehicles in the Chicago area include:
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model 3
- Honda Insight
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Toyota Yaris
Most Rented Cars on Turo in Las Vegas, NV
The most common reason to rent a car in Vegas is the freedom to go anywhere you want, when you want, without dealing with a bus crowd or making small talk with Uber drivers.
A Turo car rental in Las Vegas makes it easy to explore natural sites around the city and within a day-trip range.
More people turn to Turo for private rentals to find and explore casinos off the beaten path.
You can earn as much as $3,000 a day if you rent out a Ferrari 488GTB or McLaren 570S.
But you don’t need a supercar to make money on Turo in Las Vegas.
A Chevrolet Sonic on the platform currently makes about $26 daily and a Mini Cooper about $32.
Other top-rated cars in the Las Vegas area include:
- Jaguar F-Type
- Ford Mustang
- Porsche Boxster
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Honda Accord
Can You Actually Make Money On Turo?
According to Turo, the average car owner makes $500 plus a month in the U.S.
Owners with over three vehicles earn over $3,000 monthly.
However, earnings depend on the type of car, make and model, and the demand for rentals in an area.
Signing up for Turo is otherwise a lucrative opportunity to make some passive income.
Make sure you have adequate auto insurance coverage.
Car insurance options for hosts are:
- Basic: Where you pay 15% of the total trip to Turo. However, you’ll pay 80% of a $3,000-deductible in case of an accident or claim.
- Standard plan: The standard Turo insurance plan lets you pay 25% per trip to the platform. However, Turo covers the full deductible cost of claims. You also get a replacement while your car is in the shop for repairs.
- Platinum: Car owners pay 35% per trip to Turo. However, the service level covers wear and tear and loss of income while your car is in repair.
Fun programs allow unique car owners the ability to earn more and renters to ride in the perfect car.
These programs include:
- All-Star Host program: Turo recognizes and rewards the most experienced, highest-rated hosts. All-star hosts get a special badge on their profiles and heightened visibility.
- Commercial Host program: A program for independent rental car companies and entrepreneurs who want to tap into the Turo network of guests. The car owner keeps over 90% of each rental.
Check this page regularly for Turo special deals and discounts for hosts.
Maximize your earnings by finding the sweet pricing spot.
A too-high price makes it difficult to find renters, while too low means you’re not making enough.
Consider setting up discounts and charging a delivery fee or excess distance fee.
Use the Turo Calculator to see how much you can earn based on your car and location.
Find out more about the calculator here.
Is Turo a Good Side Hustle?
Listing a car on Turo is an excellent way to earn extra cash without logging hours ridesharing or working at a part-time venture.
Popular ways to make money with your car are driving for Lyft or Uber.
But both apps require investing your time.
The ultimate best side hustle is low-stress while letting you earn a passive income.
Listing your vehicle on Turo ticks both boxes.
Turo app is available for Android and iOS devices, but your vehicle needs to meet a few conditions, including:
- Cannot be older than 12 years;
- Must have less than 130,000 on it (but there are special considerations for classics);
- A vehicle must meet safety and maintenance standards;
- And you must sign an exclusivity agreement so the car isn’t listed on any other platform.
Wrapping Up
Whew! That’s a long list of the best cars on Turo for 2023.
Many cars on the list are stereotypical rental cars.
An easy comparison to any traditional rental car company is enough to convince drivers to try Turo.
A few vehicles on the list are a surprise-you wouldn’t expect many guests to be looking at such cars.
However, some guests are taking the vehicles for extended drive tests, especially when planning to get the same one.
So, are you a vehicle owner and ready to rent out your spare?
Open the app and try it!
Or if you’re not feeling this service, check out the many great Turo alternatives that work in a similar manner.
Either way, get out there and start renting!
Great article Brett. Very informative. I am enjoying my Turo journey as I love cars so this is right up my alley!