You Won't Believe How Good This Is!! - Turo Review

Have you ever tried to book a rental car at an airport on vacation or a business trip? If you have, you’ve probably encountered some of the many headaches that “conveniently” come with traditional car rental services. One of my pet peeves is not getting the car I initially selected. Instead, I’d end up with something described by the company as “similar” and often far from what I had in mind. Frustrated by this, I decided to explore alternatives, and that’s how I stumbled upon Turo.

Discovering Turo: A Game-Changer

Turo is a car sharing service that allows people to rent out their own personal vehicles. My initial experience with Turo was almost too good to be true. It was as easy as selecting my pickup location, date, and time. Turo then presented me with a wide range of vehicles to choose from within the specified area. I must admit; I spent a bit too much time admiring some exotic and classy cars like the Ferrari 488s, Lamborghini Huracans, and American muscle cars. Ultimately, I set my sights on a 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance – a dream ride that cost me only $74 per day.

Turo vs. Traditional Rental Companies

One of the standout features of Turo is its pricing and selection. For the same price point as a traditional rental car company, I could book a high-end vehicle, not settle for a roll of the dice “compact” class car. This aspect, in my opinion, truly sets Turo apart. The variety of options, from luxury cars to practical choices, caters to a wide range of preferences and budgets.

Have a look at some of the amazing cars I came across on Turo:

Turo Go: Convenience at Its Best

Turo offers the option to use your personal vehicle insurance if it covers your Turo rental. However, as an international visitor, I opted for Turo‘s provided insurance policy through Travelers, which cost me $150 for the week. The setup process was a breeze. In about 10 minutes, I had everything sorted – trip payment, driver’s license verification, and a friendly message from the host confirming the booking and providing some vehicle operation instructions.

Seamless Pickup and Turo Go

Upon landing in Los Angeles, I was directed to the vehicle via the Turo app, and it was parked not far from LAX. What made it even more convenient was Turo Go, a feature that allowed me to unlock the vehicle with the app, eliminating the need for the host to be present with the key. This feature turned out to be a lifesaver as my flight was delayed by over an hour. If you’re concerned about timing or don’t want to keep the host waiting, I highly recommend checking if your chosen vehicle has Turo Go.

Unlocking the vehicle was a breeze, and once I arrived, I was within range of the vehicle, unlocked it via the app, and obtained the key from the vehicle. The Turo app even required me to take photos of the vehicle to highlight any existing damages, which I found to be a valuable feature to protect both the host and the driver from liability.

Peace of Mind and Support

Throughout the week, I enjoyed a hassle-free experience with the rental. However, I knew that I could reach out to the vehicle owner at any time if I had questions or needed assistance. Turo also provides roadside assistance, and if you opt for the protection plan when booking, they often cover the dispatch charge. They have a dedicated article on roadside assistance on their website for more in-depth details on fees and policies.

Effortless Return and No Deposit Required

Returning the vehicle was just as straightforward as the pickup. I ensured the fuel/charge level matched the host’s specifications, left the vehicle as clean and tidy as I found it, and took a series of updated photos to confirm that no new damage or marks had appeared during my rental period. After returning the key to the vehicle and locking up with Turo Go, my trip was officially over.

The final invoice arrived in my email a few hours later. I had a quick trip back to LAX and was thrilled that I didn’t have to go through the usual rental car return procedures. No waiting in queues, no lengthy vehicle inspections, no paperwork, and no deposit required. It was a resounding success! I’ve never had such a relaxed, hassle-free car rental experience.

Check out the photos of the vehicle I rented on our trip:

2022 Tesla Model Y Performance - Interior

Global Availability and Future Potential

In conclusion, my experience with Turo was exceptionally positive. I highly recommend checking it out before booking with a traditional car rental company the next time you need a vehicle in one of the countries where Turo operates. For a similar price point, I enjoyed an almost new, top-spec premium vehicle, enhancing my overall trip experience.

The only criticism I have is that Turo doesn’t operate in more countries. Currently, Turo offers its services in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. I believe that Turo‘s winning business model has the potential to expand its services to even more countries, making car rental experiences around the world as convenient as it was for me in Los Angeles.

Disclaimer and Choosing a Host

Keep in mind that your experience with Turo may vary since almost every vehicle is individually owned by a person or business. To help you navigate Turo, I’ve curated a checklist below to guide you when choosing a reputable host, especially if this is your first time exploring the platform.

On a final note, this review was solely my own opinion and does not represent Turo or an adverting companies. This Review was also not sponsored.

Have a look at how long the host has been on Turo.
Check out how many trips the host has provided so far.
Find out how long it takes typically (just incase you need immediate assistance from the host)
Check if the host is an all-star host (all-star hosts are the highest rated and most experienced on Turo)
Finally, read some of the most recent rating & reviews to ge an idea of the vehicle's current condition and to see how well looked after the vehicle is.