Ford Edge or Escape for driving holiday
Hi folks,We’re having a driving holiday in Wyoming/Montana next year.
Looking to hire an SUV and looking for recommendations (and also for which company or whether through airline.)
What are peoples’ thoughts on a Ford Escape vs a Ford Edge?
With thanks,
James Last summer my parents were looking to replace a 58-plate Mondeo estate with a newer equivalent.
Then they looked at the Kuga (European Escape) and felt it a little 'narrow' inside.
They eventually found an Edge (67-plate) to the spec. my dad desired and bought that.
Edge is a US car made available RHD as a larger alternative to the Mondeo, sort of a descendant of the Granada.
On that basis I'd suggest you might find an Edge the more appropriate choice. I have found that the cost of US car rentals doesn't massively rise with the bigger car (as long as you don't head up to the true "luxury/special" level).And for a long trip - bigger is definitely better. Bear in mind that you won't be able to specify a particular vehicle - it will be "or similar", so you may not get a Ford, but depending on the company you may be allowed to choose any vehicle within the group you've booked. Even if the vehicle's pre-allocated they're usually happy to swap. . . that's how last year my Toyota Camry became a Dodge Charger!
Booking through the airline is unlikely to get you the best price, & you're insinuating a third party between you & the service provider; I always book direct with the rental company. Any of the major companies will be fine; quality of service can vary from location to location. Look for offers on the rental companies' websites - probably the best is Avis' 15% discount deal. As a UK renter you will get the necessary insurances, CDW & ALI/LIS with zero excess included at no extra cost, but to get this it's essential to book on the company's UK website or a US website which allows you to identify yourself as a UK resident.
Join the rental company's loyalty scheme, e.g. Hertz Gold Plus, Avis preferred, to save time when you collect the vehicle. Just to echo the above comments. In my experience it's rare to be given the car you've selected on the web site. You either get a car in the same group or a car from the group above if they are out of the group you want. We've learnt to select an auto suv on their website so we always end up with a nice large car. They assume that I can't drive a manual so we end up with an xtrail or similar.
Next month I've selected a terios auto so this will test the theory. Maybe we'll end up with a panda 4x4. We had the Edge in the US last year(is the escape basically a Kuga?) Great SUV(glad of the space with the family in situ) and much better than the Jeep whateva Avis tried to fob me off with. Also more practical boot space than a Hyundai Tucson. Even a bloody Ford Fusion has more usable boot space than one of those!
I usually book with a mainstream rental company via travel comparison sites. I’ve most recently used Avis, Alamo and SixT in the US and they’ve all been excellent and conveniently located. The bigger the better out there. I’d definitely out of those two go for the group the Edge is in. But if it was me I would go a group or two larger. The edge is still a compact suv, even in the UK, let alone in the US. I've always had a good experience with Holiday Autos - the last time I used them they included the SCDW so basically worry free.Cheaper than direct when I was doing price comparisons.
In my experience, renting cars in the USA is much easier than in Europe.They aren't as fussy about the tiniest marks and dinks and trying to sell you a boat load of extras you don't want or need before they'll give you the keys.
Drop off is easier too - at LAX they just took the keys off me, checked the mileage and wished me a good flight data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I'd definitely go for a larger car, even in cities like San Francisco and Boston a big car isn't much trouble and you'll appreciate it on the longer cruises. Just for the record, as I said in my first post, CDW & ALI/LIS with zero excess are included at no extra cost for UK renters, so third parties, despite what they would have people believe, are including nothing you won't get when booking direct. I should have added the caveat that there may be exceptions to this; Enterprise was one, but I believe they are now including insurances.
Another caveat: Most companies allow their vehicles to be driven anywhere in the contiguous states (the "lower 48") & Canada, but Sixt places limitations on where their vehicles can be driven, typically the state in which the vehicle is rented & adjacent states.
Personally I've never found third parties any cheaper, but that's just my limited experience; obviously many other people have had a different experience. A few years ago I found myself in a position where I needed to materially change a rental (from a simple LAX rental to a one-way LAS-LAX) at two days' notice. A quick phone call to Avis sorted it; could have been much less simple if a third party had been involved. I ordered a small suv a few years ago in Florida. When I went to the parking garage next to airport they said go and choose one. Pretty sure it was Hertz.
Anyway I went and there was. Toyota Rav 4 that looked lesd than brand new and a car i had never seen that was large by UK standards and shiny shiny.
I obviously went for that. I shat myself all the way to Kissimmee but what an amazing car. It was a Buick Enclave.
Made German cars look like toys. Had all the kit back in 2013 and was so quite even with a 3.6 litre v6 engine.
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