What type of car should I hire in Iceland?

For the Ring Road from May to September, an economy, compact or mid-size 2WD car is usually enough. Choose an approved 4×4 if you plan to drive F-roads in the Highlands or want more grip in winter. Groups of 7 to 17 people need a passenger van or minibus. Each vehicle page shows seats, luggage space and minimum age.

Which hire cars can drive on F-roads in Iceland?

Only approved 4×4 vehicles may drive on F-roads. 2WD cars are not allowed on F-roads, Kjölur (Road 35) or Kaldidalur (Road 550). Fully electric cars are never allowed on F-roads, even with 4×4. Most plug-in hybrid 4×4s are allowed, but some luxury models are not. Each vehicle page states the rule for that car.

Can I book a specific car model?

Most cars are booked by vehicle group, so you receive the model shown or a similar car from the same group. A small number of premium vehicles are Guaranteed Models: they are listed without “or similar” in their name, and you get exactly that model. Check the vehicle name before you book.

What is the minimum age to hire a car from Hertz Iceland?

The minimum hire age is 20. Some vehicles require the driver to be 23, and luxury cars require 25. The minimum age for each model is shown on its vehicle page and on its card in the catalogue. Every driver, including additional drivers, must have held a driving licence for at least one year.

Which hire car is best for a family or group in Iceland?

A family of up to five fits in a wagon such as the Hyundai i30 Wagon or a 4×4 SUV such as the Kia Sorento. For seven people, choose the VW Caddy Maxi or the Land Rover Defender 130. Groups of up to 17 can hire a passenger van; the 14- and 17-seat minibuses require a category D licence.

Iceland Car Hire: Compare Every Car Type

Hertz Iceland offers more than 50 hire car models from 17 brands, from small economy cars to 17-seat minibuses.

The fleet is grouped into 9 categories: economy, compact, mid-size, 4×4 SUVs, electric cars, luxury cars, passenger vans, campers and special vehicles, and cargo vans. Choose manual or automatic, 2WD or 4×4, petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or fully electric. Hertz Iceland is the locally run Hertz franchise in Iceland, operating since 1971 with one of the newest fleets in Iceland.

50+: car models
17: car brands
9: categories
2–17: seats per vehicle

Compare Car Types at a Glance

A 2WD car suits the paved Ring Road in summer. F-roads in the Highlands need an approved 4×4, and permission can differ between models in the same category.

Car type	Best for	Seats	F-roads and Highlands	Example models
Economy and compact	City driving, Ring Road from May to September, lower budgets	5	Not allowedIncluding the Suzuki Swift 4×4	Toyota Aygo, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i10, Suzuki Swift 4×4, VW Golf, Hyundai i30 Wagon
Compact 4×4 (Dacia Duster)	F-roads and the Ring Road all year on a budget, renters from age 20	5	Allowed	Dacia Duster, Dacia Duster (2022–2023)
Mid-size and full-size	More luggage space on long road trips	5	Not allowedSkoda Octavia 4×4: Roads 35 and 550 only	Toyota Corolla Sedan, Toyota Corolla Wagon, Mazda CX-30, Skoda Octavia Wagon 4×4
4×4 SUV	F-roads in summer, winter driving, more ground clearance	5	AllowedLuxury and electric 4×4s are listed separately, and many of them are not allowed. Check the vehicle page.	Dacia Bigster, Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Defender
Electric car (EV)	Ring Road and day trips with planned charging stops	5	Never allowedIncluding 4×4 electric cars	Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, VW ID.3, VW ID.4, Kia e-Niro, Nissan Ariya, BMW iX3
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)	Lower fuel use, with petrol as a backup	5	Depends on modelMost 4×4 plug-in hybrids allowed; some luxury models and all 2WD hybrids are not	Hyundai Tucson PHEV, Kia Sorento PHEV, Land Rover Defender PHEV, Renault Captur PHEV
Camper and motorhome	Self-drive trips with a bed on board, available all year	Sleeps 2–3	Depends on model4×4 campers allowed; the 2WD motorhome is not	Toyota Hilux Camper, Dacia Duster Camping, Fiat Benivan 120 motorhome
Passenger van and minibus	Families, groups and luggage-heavy trips	7–17	Depends on modelVW Caravelle 4×4 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter allowed; 2WD vans are not	VW Caddy Maxi, VW Caravelle, Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Luxury car	Premium comfort and space	5–7	Depends on modelToyota Land Cruiser 250 allowed; many luxury models are not	Land Rover Defender 130, Range Rover Sport PHEV, BMW X5 PHEV, Mercedes-Benz GLE PHEV, Audi Q7
Cargo van	Moving and transporting goods	2–3	Not allowed	VW Caddy Cargo, Ford Transit Custom Cargo, Ford Transit cargo box

AllowedDepends on modelNot allowedThe rule on each vehicle page is the one that applies to your hire.

Car Brands in the Hertz Iceland Fleet

Most cars are hired by vehicle group, so you receive the model shown or a similar car from the same group. A small number of premium vehicles are Guaranteed Models, listed without “or similar” in their name.