Hertz vs. National vs. Enterprise – Which Is the Best Car Rental Company in 2025?

Going on a weekend road trip? Or maybe your car is in the shop, and you’ve got places to go? When you need a set of wheels in a jiff, renting a car might be the perfect option. 

 And more people lease cars than you might think. It’s estimated that 567.2 million people in the U.S. used car rental services in 2024.

But with dozens of rental companies competing for your business, it might be difficult to determine which is the best. If you’re looking to rent a car in the United States, three names usually come to mind: Enterprise, Hertz, and National. And while all of these companies have many good reviews, differences in prices, rules, selection of cars, and other perks can make a big difference in your experience.

So, how do you decide? In this article, we compare the top three rental companies through the criteria that matter most. This includes cost, rental flexibility, car availability, user reviews, and reward programs. 

This guide will help you find the ideal company for your needs, whether you seek low prices, convenience, or just great service. 

Update for 2025: This year, we’ve swapped out National for Hertz in our comparison to reflect updated rankings and current market presence.  top-rated rental companies in the U.S., making it a better fit for this list.

Why Rent a Car? 

So, when is it a good idea to rent a car? Most people think of renting things for vacations or when they’re in a place they’re not familiar with (e.g. new city).  However, in many cases, it may be the best option. Here are three common situations where renting a car can pay off.

Road Trips and Vacations

Heading to Anaheim for a Disneyland weekend with the family? Or maybe you’re looking forward to a beach getaway in Miami.  Renting a car provides you with more than just a way to get around. It also provides practical benefits that make your journey easier, safer, and less expensive.

• Reliability: Rental car companies keep their fleet in good shape, so there is less of a possibility that your car will break down while you are on the road.
• Avoid Wear-and-Tear on Personal Vehicle: If you rent a car, you won’t have to worry about putting a lot of miles on your own automobile or traveling lengthy distances.
• Efficiency. Your regular car isn’t always the best choice. Need more space for your kids and luggage? Renting an SUV makes the drive more comfortable. Are you traveling alone? A little car that gets good gas mileage can help you save money on gas. If you’re moving across state lines or going on a multi-city tour, a lot of rental businesses will even let you hire a car one way.

24/7 Roadside Assistance: A lot of rental businesses offer roadside assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so help is always just a phone call away. This will save lives because 55% of drivers have had at least one problem on the road in the recent year, including a flat tire or battery trouble.

Living in a City 

Living in a city has many benefits, but owning a car isn’t always one of them. In cities with a lot of people, like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, it can be far more practical (and much cheaper) to rent a car when you need one than to own one full-time.

• Cost. When you include insurance, parking, maintenance, registration, and depreciation, owning a car in a big city can cost $8,000 to $12,000 or more a year, according to Investopedia.  In some parts of San Francisco, just parking can cost more than $400 a month. In Brooklyn, the average yearly insurance rate can range from $2,000 to almost $7,000 per year, depending on coverage type and factors.
• Flexibility. Services like Zipcar, Getaround, or Turo allow you to rent a car by the hour or day. This is great if you don’t drive very often. Zipcar costs only $11 per hour or $83 per day, and you don’t have to worry about gas or insurance.
• No maintenance. When you rent, you don’t have to worry about oil changes, renewing your registration, or unforeseen repair fees. For a lot of people who live in cities, it’s a chance to get back some time and avoid the burden of owning a car in places where public transportation or walking does most of the work.
• Savings. Renting a car once in a while can cost less than $2,000 a year, which is a lot less than the $10,000 or more that many city drivers pay each year. For instance, if a freelance designer in Boston used Getaround rentals twice a month ($90–$120 total) for their work trips instead of their leased cars and took Uber rides for $15 every now and then. This brought their monthly expenditures down to about $180, which is an 80% drop from their previous $950 lease, insurance, and parking payment.

Business Travel 

If you’re a frequent flyer for work, renting a car is typically better than using rideshares. This is a good option, especially when time, cost tracking, and convenience are important for business trips. 

• Efficiency: Renting at your destination allows you to skip long wait times and prices that go up and down without warning (surge pricing). Many business travelers also take advantage of company flat daily rates that don’t limit how far they can drive.
• Cost savings: Let’s say you’re a consultant who flies from Chicago to Dallas twice a month. If you choose to rent a car at Love Field for $45 a day using their company’s business account, which is cheaper than the 6 to 10 Uber rides per trip that cost $50 each, and easier to write off.
• Convenience: Programs like National’s Emerald Club let passengers skip the counter and pick up their car from the lot, which saves a lot of time between meetings. Enterprise’s business solutions include centralized billing, consumption reports, and the ability to use hybrid or electric vehicles when needed.
• Loyalty perks: When it comes to perks, rental car companies don’t skimp out. For example, members of the Emerald Club at a higher level can enjoy free rental days, automatic upgrades, and even give points to family or coworkers.

Comparison Methodology

We used a set of criteria that are based on real-world user needs and industry norms to evaluate the current top three rental companies in North America: Hertz, National, and Enterprise, to see which one stands out in 2025. We looked at six main areas as part of our evaluation:

What We Evaluated (and Why It Matters)

Hertz Rent a Car

Founded in 1918 and based in Florida, Hertz is one of the oldest and most well-known names in the car rental industry.  The rental car company has operations in more than 150 countries, making it a popular choice for travellers who prefer convenience.  

And while Hertz is known to have a strong presence near major airports, it has grown beyond just being a reliable car rental option for frequent flyers. The company now has a rugged range from premium vehicles to electric cars to meet the needs of today’s travellers, whether it’s for work or play. They also offer competitive pricing and frequent discounts.

Pros: 

• Extensive vehicle options: Hertz has a lot of different types of vehicles in its fleet to choose from. So whether you need economical city cars, a sleek zero-emission sedan, luxury cars, or even electric vehicles like Teslas, Hertz will most likely have one in hand for you. 
• Strong airport presence: Hertz has many rental locations at major airports, making it easy for passengers to pick up and drop off their cars.
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards: This program lets members skip the line, pick their own car, and earn points toward free rental days.

Cons:

• Higher base prices: For travellers who are looking for budget-friendly options, note that Hertz usually has higher base rental prices than budget rental businesses.
• Inconsistent customer service: Some consumers have reported that their experiences with customer service have been different, especially at smaller or less busy outlets.

Hertz’ Pricing & Fees

• Base price: Renting a standard sedan in Los Angeles costs approximately $47–$51 per day, with unlimited mileage (accurate as of March 2025). Note: We’re using a standard sedan as a common benchmark since it’s one of the most widely booked vehicle types across all rental brands.
• Additional charges: Optional services such as insurance add-ons, toll coverage, and fees for young drivers may apply.

Best for 

• Business travelers: People who want dependable service and a large range of rental vehicles at the airport.
• Loyalty Program Members:  Members of the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program are frequent renters who can take advantage of the program’s benefits.
• Renters looking for luxury or Electric Cars: Customers who want high-end or environmentally friendly cars.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is one of the biggest car rental companies in the world. It was founded in 1957 and is based in Clayton, Missouri. Enterprise Holdings owns Alamo Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental, but its main brand is Enterprise. It has more than 9,000 “home city” outlets and more than 230 airport locations globally.

Enterprise is well-known for its large network, high customer satisfaction, and wide range of vehicles that may meet different rental needs. It also offers  broader rental options for trucks, specialty vehicles, and neighborhood rentals. 

Pros: 

• A wide range of vehicles: Enterprise has a lot of different types of vehicles to choose from, such as economy cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, and luxury cars. This means that they can meet the needs of many different customers.
• Widespread availability: Enterprise has a huge network of sites, making it easy to rent cars in many cities and airports throughout the world.
• Customer service: The company prides itself for dedicated to making customers satisfied and having a good rental experience. They also regularly get good reviews for the quality of their service.
• Enterprise Plus® Loyalty Program:  This program gives points to frequent renters that they can use to get free rentals, which gives loyal customers even more value.

Cons: 

• Variable pricing: Rental fees can vary greatly depending on location, demand, and vehicle type, which might affect affordability.
• Additional fees: Optional services and add-ons, like as insurance coverage and GPS navigation systems, can raise the overall rental cost.
• Inconsistent Experiences: While many locations maintain good service standards, customer experiences often vary between branches. 

Enterprise’ Pricing & Fees 

• Base prices: The cost of renting a standard sedan in Los Angeles starts at around $35 per day 
• Additional charges: Optional services, such as insurance add-ons, toll coverage, and young driver fees, may apply.

Best for 

• Business travelers: Enterprise’s large network and diverse car fleet make it an ideal choice for corporate travel.
• Frequent renters: The Enterprise Plus® program rewards frequent renters with discounts and faster service.
• Customers looking for variety: With a large assortment of automobiles, Enterprise caters to customers looking for specific sorts of cars, ranging from economy to premium models.

National Car Rental

National Car Rental has earned its reputation for catering to frequent travelers who prioritize speed, convenience, and control. National is part of the Enterprise Holdings family (along with Enterprise and Alamo), but it leans more toward business travelers and folks who want a faster, more premium rental experience.

Like Enterprise and Hertz, National offers great flexibility in vehicle choice. With a solid presence at major airports in the U.S. and abroad, National is a go-to for renters who care more about speed and convenience than scoring the lowest rates.

Pros: 

Emerald Club Loyalty Program: In the corporate travel world, it’s one of the most recognized car rental loyalty programs. Members can bypass the counter and select any car from the Emerald Aisle, making the rental process faster and easier. Higher-tier members like Executive and Executive Elite also get additional benefits such as free upgrades and faster award accrual.

Lots of Vehicle Options: Whether you’re after a basic sedan, a roomy SUV, or something a bit more premium, National has a solid mix of cars to choose from.

Easy to Find at Airports: National has a strong presence at major airports around the world, making it super convenient for travelers who want to grab a car and go.

Cons: 

• Higher prices: National tends to charge more than budget-focused rental companies, so it may not be the best fit if you’re hunting for the lowest rates.
• Fewer budget-friendly picks: While offering a wide range of vehicles, National may have fewer budget-friendly options compared to other rental companies. 

National’s Pricing & Fees

• Base price: Renting a standard sedan in Los Angeles costs $58–$64 per day, including taxes and fees.
• Additional charges: Optional services such as insurance add-ons, toll coverage, and fees for young drivers may apply.

Best for: 

• Business travelers: People who want fast service and benefits for being loyal.
• Frequent renters: People who rent often and like what the Emerald Club program has to offer.
• Travelers who value convenience: People who want a simple rental process at big airports.

Snapshot Comparison of Major Car Rental Brands (2025)

Note: ACSI scores are rated on a 0–100 scale, with higher scores indicating greater customer satisfaction.

J.D. Power scores are based on a 1,000-point scale, reflecting overall satisfaction across multiple service factors.

ConsumerAffairs ratings are based on verified customer reviews, shown on a 1–5 scale.

Which Rental Company Should You Choose?

Choosing the right rental car company depends on what matters most to you: price, perks, or overall experience.

Go with Hertz if you’re looking for the lowest prices. It’s often the cheapest option among the brands, especially for airport rentals, and gets the job done if you don’t need extras.

Pick National if you travel often. The Emerald Club lets you skip the counter, choose your car, and rack up free rental days. It’s designed for frequent flyers who want speed and perks.

Choose Enterprise if you want the best overall experience. It has the highest customer satisfaction score, the widest vehicle selection, and a strong focus on sustainability. It’s ideal if you want reliable service every time you rent.

So what’s our final verdict? 

Lowest price? Hertz.
Best perks for frequent renters? National.
Best overall service and selection? Enterprise.

Of course, each brand has its strengths. But if you’re after reliability, choice, and consistently high satisfaction, Enterprise is the most well-rounded pick.

Need Parking for Your Rental?

Once you’ve picked your rental, it’s worth thinking about where you’re going to park it. In cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, or Boston, street parking is limited, metered spots fill up quickly, and garages can cost more than the rental itself.

Platforms like Spacer let you look for available spots close to where you’re going. You can book everything from a home driveway to a business garage, and the prices are usually lower than those of typical choices.

This can be really useful if you’re renting for a long time or if you’re staying somewhere that doesn’t have its own parking. Getting a location ahead of time means you won’t have to worry about it while you’re on your trip.

After you’ve taken care of the car, don’t forget to park it. Making plans ahead of time makes everything go more smoothly.