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Hertz vs Europcar vs Sixt: Europe Comparison

🔍 Our Testing Methodology
🚗 Car Rental · Updated March 2026 · 1 min read

Hertz, Europcar, and Sixt are the three dominant car rental brands across Europe, each with thousands of locations. We compared them across 20+ European cities on price, fleet quality, cross-border policies, and customer experience to help you pick the right one for your trip.

Comparison Table

ProviderPriceFleet QualityCustomer ServiceCross-Border PolicyLoyalty Program
Hertz★★★☆☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★
Europcar★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Sixt★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★☆
ℹ️ Good to Know

Scores are based on our hands-on testing, user reviews, and price monitoring across multiple European countries.

1. Hertz

Pros

  • Hertz Gold Plus Rewards is the best loyalty program — free upgrades and skip-the-counter pickup
  • Strong cross-border policy allowing travel across most EU countries
  • Well-maintained fleet with newer vehicles averaging under 18 months old
  • Widest US-to-Europe booking integration — easy to manage from one account

Cons

  • Consistently 10-20% more expensive than Sixt and Europcar for the same class
  • Airport surcharges in Southern Europe can be steep
  • Limited automatic transmission availability at smaller stations
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2. Europcar

Pros

  • Best cross-border flexibility — allows travel to Eastern Europe including Croatia, Slovenia, and the Balkans
  • Competitive pricing especially when booked through aggregators
  • Largest European network with locations in smaller towns and cities
  • Good selection of station wagons and diesel vehicles popular in Europe

Cons

  • Fleet age tends to be older — vehicles averaging 24+ months
  • Inconsistent customer service quality between franchise and corporate locations
  • Upselling at the counter is aggressive at many Southern European branches
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3. Sixt

Pros

  • Best fleet quality in Europe — premium German vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) as standard
  • Most competitive pricing, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
  • Excellent mobile app with digital check-in and vehicle selection
  • Sixt+ subscription model offers great value for frequent renters

Cons

  • Strictest cross-border policy — many Eastern European countries restricted or require expensive add-ons
  • Damage inspection at return can be overly thorough — photograph everything
  • Limited presence in smaller Mediterranean towns compared to Europcar
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Our Verdict

For pure value and fleet quality, Sixt is the clear winner — you often get a BMW or Mercedes for the price of a basic sedan elsewhere. If your road trip crosses multiple borders, especially into Eastern Europe, Europcar has the most permissive policies and widest reach. Hertz is the premium choice for frequent renters who value the Gold Plus loyalty program and consistent service quality. Our advice: book through an aggregator to compare real-time prices, then factor in your specific route's cross-border requirements before committing.

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BTS

BestTravelScout Editorial Team

Our editorial team researches and tests travel products hands-on, comparing prices and policies across dozens of providers to bring you honest, data-backed recommendations.

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