Full-Size SUV Rental in Iceland

Searching for a full-size car rental in Iceland and wondering why every result seems to be an SUV rather than a sedan? You’re not imagining things — and it’s worth explaining upfront, because it genuinely changes what you should expect to book.

Elsewhere in Europe, “full-size car” usually means a larger 4-door sedan or estate for up to 5 adults with extra luggage space — one step above standard or midsize, and a separate category from SUVs and vans entirely. In Iceland, the driving environment is different: long distances, changeable weather, gravel roads, and occasional F-roads mean most visitors choose larger SUVs or 4×4 vehicles instead. That’s why “full-size” gets used loosely here to mean “big, spacious car,” and travellers often picture an SUV — even though rental size charts elsewhere list SUVs and 4×4s as their own separate categories.

At Hertz Iceland, our full size suv rental category reflects that Icelandic reality directly: with one exception (a 2WD motorhome), every vehicle in this class is a full-size 4×4 SUV. If you came here searching for a large car rental or full size sedan rental, what you actually want for Iceland’s roads is almost certainly in this category — and here’s exactly why.

Why “Full-Size” Means SUV in Iceland

A full size vehicle rental anywhere else might be a large estate car — comfortable, spacious, and built for smooth highway driving. Iceland’s roads ask for something different. The Ring Road alone covers 1,332 km of paved and gravel surfaces, weather can shift from calm to gale-force crosswinds within hours, and any Highland detour legally requires four-wheel drive. A sedan, however large, isn’t built for that combination.

That’s why Icelandic rental fleets — ours included — use “full-size” to describe the biggest, most capable vehicles available, and those are almost universally SUVs and 4×4s. If you’re comparing an suv rental Iceland against a traditional full-size sedan from your home country, the SUV is very likely the closer match to what “full-size” actually means once you land at Keflavík.

Trunk Capacity · Full-Size

See How Much Actually Fits

Shown: Toyota Land Cruiser or similar

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Empty Trunk

5 Large Bags Capacity

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With One 28″ Suitcase

Room remaining for 4 more large bags

Large Bags 5

Seats 5

F-Road ✅ Allowed

*Photos shown are representative of this vehicle class. Actual boot shape and capacity may vary slightly by “or similar” model.

Do I Need a Full-Size 4×4 for Iceland?

Yes — and for most travellers beyond a solo or two-person city trip, it’s not really optional. A full-size 4×4 rental gives you four concrete advantages over a smaller car:

• Stability in wind. Iceland’s crosswinds are strong enough to genuinely affect smaller, lighter vehicles, sometimes making them difficult to control on exposed coastal stretches. A full-size SUV’s weight and stance handle this far better.
• Highland access where certified. If your itinerary includes F-roads, a 4×4 is a legal requirement — and only certain models in this category are F-road rated (see the breakdown below).
• Space that actually matters. Long driving days are more comfortable with real legroom and enough luggage capacity that nobody’s bags are stacked on their lap.
• Winter road conditions. From October through April, Iceland’s main roads regularly see ice, packed snow, and sudden visibility drops. A full-size 4×4’s higher ground clearance, weight, and traction make a real difference in these conditions — this is the season where the case for a 4×4 stops being about comfort and becomes about safety.

One honest note on capacity: while most full-size SUVs officially seat 5, the comfortable maximum is really 4 adults plus one baby with a baby seat. Once you’re at 5 full-size adults with luggage, expect a noticeably tighter fit — legroom and boot space get real with the fifth passenger and their bags. If you’re a group of 5 adults, consider the 7-seat Land Rover Defender 130 instead.

Taking all of this together: a full-size 4×4 SUV is the best rental car choice for Iceland, in any season. Summer or winter, city touring or full Ring Road, it’s the vehicle type built for how Iceland’s roads and weather actually behave — not just for the trips where a smaller car would clearly fall short.

Explore Our Full-Size Rental Fleet

F-road certification varies by model — some are fully cleared, some are not certified at all, and a few sit in between: not F-road certified generally, but specifically permitted on Road 35 and Road 550. Check each card carefully if Highland access matters to your itinerary.

F-Road Certified Full-Size SUVs

Land Rover Defender

Automatic | 4×4. The definitive Highland-ready full-size SUV, combining serious 4WD capability with a comfortable cabin.

Seats 5

Luggage 3

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

Land Rover Defender Plug-in Hybrid

Automatic | 4×4. All the Defender’s Highland capability, with plug-in hybrid efficiency for lower running costs.

Seats 5

Luggage 3

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

Toyota Land Cruiser 250

Automatic | 4×4. The latest generation Land Cruiser, with the largest luggage capacity in our full-size range.

Seats 5

Luggage 5

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

Toyota Land Cruiser

Automatic | 4×4. High ground clearance and strong suspension, proven on the full Ring Road and beyond.

Seats 5

Luggage 5

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

KIA Sorento

Automatic | 4×4. Generous space for families, with the traction to handle F-road tracks when open.

Seats 5

Luggage 4

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

Premium Comfort SUVs

BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid

Automatic | 4×4. Our flagship premium hybrid, combining power with elite cabin comfort for paved-road touring.

Seats 5

Luggage 4

⚠️ Not F-Road Certified — Roads 35 & 550 Only View Details & Pricing

Range Rover Sport Plug-in Hybrid

Automatic | 4×4. Whisper-quiet plug-in luxury, built for premium comfort on Iceland’s main paved routes.

Seats 5

Luggage 4

⚠️ Not F-Road Certified — Roads 35 & 550 Only View Details & Pricing

Land Rover Defender 130 (7-Seater)

Automatic | 4×4. The 7-seat Defender for larger groups, built for paved and gravel touring in comfort.

Seats 7

Luggage 4

⚠️ Not F-Road Certified — Roads 35 & 550 Only View Details & Pricing

Land Rover Discovery Sport Plug-in Hybrid

Automatic | 4×4. A versatile family SUV blending plug-in efficiency with confident on-road handling.

Seats 5

Luggage 4

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

Land Rover Discovery

Automatic | 4×4. Refined British engineering with the largest luggage capacity of our Premium Comfort range.

Seats 5

Luggage 5

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

Audi Q7

Automatic | 4×4. Quattro all-wheel drive and a long wheelbase cabin, ideal for smooth main-road touring.

Seats 5

Luggage 4

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

Campers & Motorhomes

Toyota Hilux Camper

Manual | 4×4. Sleeps 3 adults maximum. Genuine F-road capability combined with built-in camping functionality.

Seats 5

Luggage 3

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

Fiat Benivan 160 Motorhome

Manual | 2WD. Sleeps 3, seats 3. Our only 2WD model in this category — built for comfort-focused paved-road camping trips, not Highland routes.

Seats 3

Luggage 4

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

*Fleet availability varies by season. F-road status reflects Hertz Iceland policy per model and is subject to insurance terms. Roads 35 (Kjölur) and 550 (Kaldidalur) are the specific routes referenced for the “limited” category above — always confirm current conditions on road.is before travelling.

The Real Cost: 2026 Road Usage Charge

As of January 1, 2026, the Icelandic government replaced older fuel taxes with a kilometre-based Road Usage Charge, which applies to every vehicle — including all full-size rentals.

Full-Size Availability and Road Conditions in Iceland

On paved routes — the full Ring Road, the Golden Circle, and the main roads to the South Coast — every model in our full-size fleet handles the driving comfortably, with the added benefit of extra stability against crosswinds. For F-roads and the Highland interior, only the certified models above are legally permitted; the Premium Comfort SUVs, while equally capable on paved and gravel roads, are not built or insured for Highland tracks.

The one exception worth noting is our two “limited” models — the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport PHEV are not F-road certified in general, but are specifically permitted on Road 35 (Kjölur) and Road 550 (Kaldidalur), two of Iceland’s more accessible mountain routes. This isn’t the same as full F-road clearance, so always confirm your exact route is covered before assuming access.

Because full-size SUVs are our largest and most in-demand category for groups, availability tightens noticeably during summer (June–August) — booking 4–8 weeks ahead is a reasonable target if your dates are fixed.

Tips on Renting a Full-Size SUV in Iceland

• Confirm F-road status before booking if the Highlands are on your itinerary. Not every full-size SUV is Highland-certified — check the badge on each vehicle card, including the Road 35/550 exception.
• Check the minimum age for your model. Most full-size SUVs require drivers to be 23+; premium models like the Defender 130 require 25+.
• Consider Gravel Protection and Sand & Ash Protection. Even paved South Coast roads carry loose gravel and volcanic sand exposure that standard coverage doesn’t include.
• Book 4–8 weeks ahead for summer. Full-size SUVs are our most requested category for groups and families, and availability tightens fastest here.
• River crossings are never covered. Regardless of F-road certification, water damage from river crossings voids all insurance in Iceland.
• Plan for the unexpected. Even with the right vehicle and coverage, a flat tyre or a dead battery on a remote stretch of road can still happen — our Roadside Assistance Service covers the towing fee in exactly these situations, and it’s worth adding when you book rather than deciding at pickup.

Quick Comparison: Which Full-Size SUV Suits You?

Full-Size Rental Requirements in Iceland

• Valid driver’s licence: held for a minimum of 1 year. If not in the Roman alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required alongside your original licence.
• Passport: required for identity verification at the time of rental.
• Credit card in the main driver’s name: required for rental payment.
• Minimum age: 23 for most full-size SUVs (e.g. KIA Sorento, Toyota Land Cruiser); 25 for premium models such as the Land Rover Defender 130. Drivers under 23 should consider our Economy or Compact categories, available from age 20.
• Insurance: CDW and Third-Party Liability included as standard. Gravel Protection (GP) and Sand & Ash Protection (SAAP) are strongly recommended; MAX Coverage brings your deductible to zero for most covered incidents.
• Never covered, regardless of coverage level: underbody damage, water/river-crossing damage, off-road driving (illegal in Iceland), and towing or roadside assistance fees.
• One-way rentals available: pick up at Keflavík International Airport and return to Reykjavík Downtown or other locations for a one-way fee, subject to vehicle availability.

Pick Up Locations for Your Full-Size SUV

For the fastest start to your trip, pick up directly at Keflavík International Airport — our counter is inside the Arrivals Hall, so you can collect your full-size SUV immediately after clearing customs with no shuttle wait. If you’re spending time in Reykjavík first, our downtown office is the more convenient option, and both locations connect to our full network of 11 stations across Iceland for one-way returns.