Dacia Duster
Manual | 4×4. An agile, fuel-efficient choice for gravel roads and light F-road tracks.
Explore Iceland with total confidence behind the wheel of a 4×4 rental car. Whether you need a 4wd rental car for the winter Ring Road or a rugged 4×4 vehicle hire for the summer Highlands, Hertz Iceland’s four-wheel-drive fleet is built to handle whatever the island throws at you — snow, gravel, wind, and unbridged rivers included.
Booking 4 by 4 car hire in Iceland is not just a comfort upgrade — for large parts of the year, and for the Highland interior, it is the only legal and practical option. Our 4wd suv rental range spans budget-friendly compacts to Land Rover Defenders, all fitted with winter tyres in season and cleared for Iceland’s toughest mountain tracks.
Whether your plan is a Ring Road circuit, a Westfjords loop, or a Highland crossing to Landmannalaugar, renting a 4wd vehicle from Hertz means driving a newer, reliable, fully-prepared car — with the freedom to go wherever the season allows.
Iceland’s weather and road network change fast, and a two-wheel-drive car can leave you stranded the moment conditions turn. Choosing 4×4 car hire means you’re prepared for gravel switchbacks, sudden crosswinds, and the ice that can appear on the Ring Road even outside deep winter. It’s the difference between reacting to Iceland’s conditions and being ready for them.
Yes — if your trip includes winter driving or any visit to the Highlands. For a summer trip confined strictly to the paved Ring Road and Golden Circle, a 2WD is technically sufficient. But a 4 by 4 car rental gives you meaningfully better traction, stability, and peace of mind on gravel and in changeable weather — and it’s the only option that’s legally allowed on F-roads.
It is mandatory by law to drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle on any F-road. For route-specific advice, see our Iceland winter driving guide and year-round weather overview.
| Trip Plan / Route | Season | Road Condition | Is a 4×4 Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík + Golden Circle | May – Sep | Paved Roads | Optional |
| Ring Road (Route 1) | May – Sep | Paved & Gravel Mix | Recommended (Comfort) |
| Highlands (F-roads) | Jun – Aug | Mountain / Unbridged Rivers | ⚠️ Mandatory (Legal) |
| Any Itinerary | Oct – Apr | Snow / Ice / Wind | Highly Recommended (Safety) |
Always check road.is for real-time road openings and closures, and vedur.is for weather warnings.
If you’re searching for an off-road car rental in Iceland, it’s worth knowing upfront: off-roading — driving outside marked roads and tracks — is illegal here, and it’s heavily fined when it happens. What you actually want is a vehicle cleared for F-roads: Iceland’s official, marked Highland mountain tracks, which are legally accessible only to properly equipped 4×4s. Every SUV and 4WD in the Hertz Iceland fleet is prepared for exactly this — so you get the rugged Highland access you’re after, on roads that are actually open to you.

Important 2026 update: as of January 1, 2026, the Icelandic government replaced older fuel taxes with a kilometre-based Road Usage Charge, which applies to every vehicle on the road — including all 4×4 and 4WD rentals.
As of January 1, 2026, the Icelandic government requires a mandatory Kilometer Tax on this vehicle type. This replaces traditional fuel taxes with a usage-based fee.
✔ Transparent Pay-Per-Km Pricing
*Approx. 0.056 USD/km (Gov) + 0.011 USD/km (Service). Charged based on actual distance driven at the end of your rental.
Questions? For inquiries regarding the Icelandic Road Tax or billing specifics, please contact our dedicated support team at: roadtax@hertz.is
Iceland’s road network splits clearly into two worlds: the paved national network — the full Ring Road, the Golden Circle, and the main routes to the South Coast and Snæfellsnes — and the unpaved F-road network across the Highland interior, only open in summer and only legal for 4WDs. A compact 4 x 4 car rental like the Dacia Duster or KIA Sportage handles standard Highland tracks with ease, while a Toyota Land Cruiser or Toyota Land Cruiser 250 gives you the ground clearance and stability for the full Ring Road and more demanding gravel stretches.
For the most technical Highland routes and deeper river crossings, the Land Rover Defender range — including the 7-seat Defender 130 — offers the strongest 4WD systems in our fleet. If comfort and premium touring matter more than off-tarmac ambition, models like the BMW X5 PHEV, Range Rover Sport PHEV, and Mercedes-Benz GLE PHEV are built for the paved and gravel network rather than F-roads.
In winter, that same four-wheel-drive advantage shifts to the paved network itself: ice, snow, and Iceland’s notorious crosswinds make traction and stability the priority. Electric 4WDs such as the Tesla Model Y, Nissan Ariya, and BMW iX3 are particularly well suited here — their low battery-mounted centre of gravity delivers excellent grip on icy Ring Road driving, even though their ground clearance rules out F-road use.
Iceland’s fuel network is dense, reliable, and simple to use — even if your road trip takes you well off the beaten path. Here’s what you need to know to keep your 4×4 rental car topped up from the moment you leave Keflavík.
Fuel becomes sparser the further you get from the Ring Road. In remote regions like the Westfjords, Eastfjords, and North Iceland, stations are only reliably found within towns themselves — so refuel before you branch off onto quieter routes. The one place in Iceland with no fuel stations at all is the Highland interior: F-roads are only open in summer, only legal for 4×4s, and have zero fuel infrastructure, so a full tank before you turn off the main highway is essential.
Every Hertz Iceland rental comes with an ÓB/Olís discount keychain attached to the key. Scan it at the pump sensor at any ÓB or Olís station for a small discount on every refill — just ask station staff if you’re not sure how to use it. For the single cheapest fill-up in the country, Iceland’s only Costco fuel station sits near Hafnarfjörður in the greater Reykjavík area, worth a stop if you’re a member and passing through before your return to KEF.


Our 4×4 rental cars and SUVs are kept under 2.5 years old on average, with modern differential locks, traction control, and driver-assist systems as standard.
Collect your 4×4 rental directly inside the Keflavík Airport arrivals hall — no shuttle buses, no waiting outside in the elements.
Every 4WD SUV in our fleet is legally cleared for Iceland’s F-roads, giving you real access to the Highlands when tracks are open.
Iceland is remote, but you’re never alone. Our breakdown assistance team is available around the clock, anywhere on the island.
Drive the full Ring Road, a Westfjords loop, or a Highland crossing — as far as your itinerary takes you, with no mileage cap.
No hidden surprises. All costs, including the 2026 kilometre tax, are disclosed upfront before you book.
Not sure which 4WD class suits your Iceland itinerary? Here’s a quick breakdown of what Hertz Iceland offers and what each is best suited for.
Affordable rental rates with the capability to handle gravel roads and light F-road tracks. Easy to park in Reykjavík, robust enough for a summer camping trip.
Generous trunk capacity and legroom, with higher ground clearance and stronger suspension to absorb Iceland’s gravel roads on long touring days.
Led by the Land Rover Defender, this class combines advanced 4WD systems for serious terrain with heated seats and premium cabin comfort.
Dual-motor AWD delivers excellent traction and a low centre of gravity for icy paved roads. Not cleared for F-roads due to battery ground clearance.
From budget-friendly compacts to F-road certified Land Cruisers and Defenders, our 4WD fleet is built for whatever Iceland’s roads throw at you. Winter tyres included. F-road ready where noted.
Manual | 4×4. An agile, fuel-efficient choice for gravel roads and light F-road tracks.
Manual | 4×4. Our value-priced older model — same reliable 4WD capability at a lower rate.
Manual | 4×4 + Rooftop Tent, Sleeps 2. Combine your 4WD rental with camping gear built in.
Manual | 4×4. A roomier step up from the Duster, with extra space for longer trips.
Manual or Automatic | 4×4. A dependable mid-range SUV, available in both transmissions.
Automatic | 4×4. High ground clearance and strong suspension for the full Ring Road.
Automatic | 4×4. Generous trunk space and legroom for families with extra luggage.
Automatic | 4×4. Combines Ring Road-ready AWD with plug-in fuel savings.
Automatic | 4×4. The latest generation Land Cruiser, built for serious Highland terrain.
Automatic | 4×4. Available in Gas or PHEV. The definitive Highland vehicle, F-road ready.
Automatic | 4×4. The 7-seat Defender for larger groups, built for paved and gravel touring.
Automatic | 4×4. Whisper-quiet plug-in luxury built for premium paved-road touring.
Automatic | 4×4. A versatile family SUV blending plug-in efficiency with on-road comfort.
Automatic | 4×4. Spacious luxury with plug-in efficiency for premium paved-road touring.
Automatic | 4×4. Our flagship premium hybrid, combining power with elite cabin comfort.
Automatic | 4×4. Efficient xDrive AWD with premium comfort in a mid-size footprint.
Automatic | 4×4. Fully electric with dual-motor AWD for stable, silent paved-road driving.
Long Range | Automatic | 4×4. Premium fully-electric AWD with extended range for touring.
Automatic | 4×4. Dual-motor AWD electric SUV, ideal for winter Ring Road stability.
Automatic | 4×4. Instant torque and a low centre of gravity for confident icy-road driving.
Not all 4x4s are built for the same terrain. Use this guide to match the vehicle’s capability to your itinerary.
Note: Prestige luxury 4×4 models and electric 4WDs are optimised for on-road comfort and safety, not Highland tracks.
| Vehicle Class | Best For | Luggage Capacity | F-Road Allowed? | Why Choose This? (Iceland Capability) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact 4×4 (e.g. Dacia Duster) |
Couples, Budget Highland Trips | 2-3 Bags | ✅ YES (Standard F-roads) |
Agility: Lightweight and fuel-efficient. Good traction on gravel, but lower clearance means avoiding deep rivers. |
| Large Family SUV (e.g. Land Cruiser, KIA Sportage) |
Families, The Full Ring Road | 4-5 Bags | ✅ YES (All F-roads) |
Clearance: High ground clearance prevents underbody damage on rough tracks. Heavy suspension absorbs pot-holes for a smooth ride. |
| Adventure Luxury (e.g. Land Rover Defender) |
Photographers, Deep Highlands | 5 Bags | ✅ YES (Advanced F-roads) |
Power: Advanced 4WD systems designed for difficult terrain, with premium interior comfort. |
| Electric 4WD (e.g. Tesla Model Y) |
Winter Ring Road, Eco-Travel | 3-4 Bags | ❌ NO (Battery Safety) |
Stability: Heavy battery provides a low centre of gravity for unmatched anti-skid safety on icy paved roads. Battery location rules out F-road use. |
The classic 4×4 road trip in Iceland. A family SUV or compact 4WD gives you the traction and clearance to handle gravel stretches and shifting weather on the full circuit, with our nationwide support a phone call away.
Iceland’s most iconic F-road route, only legally accessible with a 4WD. A Land Cruiser or Defender-class 4×4 handles the mountain terrain, though unbridged river crossings remain at your own risk and are never insurance-covered.
Fewer paved roads and more gravel switchbacks make this remote peninsula a natural fit for a 4×4. Higher ground clearance and stability keep you comfortable on the region’s winding coastal routes.
Yes, if you plan to drive in winter or visit the Highlands. For summer trips strictly on the paved Ring Road and Golden Circle, a 2WD is sufficient. For maximum safety and the freedom to explore gravel roads and F-roads, a 4×4 rental car is recommended year-round.
Off-road driving — leaving marked roads and tracks — is illegal in Iceland and carries heavy fines. What you can rent is a 4×4 legally cleared for F-roads: Iceland’s official Highland mountain tracks. Every 4WD SUV in our fleet is prepared for exactly this kind of driving, within the marked network.
Only if it’s a 4×4. It’s illegal to drive 2WD vehicles on roads marked with an “F” (e.g., F208). All Hertz 4WD SUVs and jeeps are F-road legal, provided the specific track is open. Always check conditions on road.is.
No. While our 4×4s are capable of crossing unbridged rivers, damage caused by water — including engine flooding — is never covered by any insurance policy in Iceland. Cross rivers at your own risk.
Yes, during the legal winter season. Studded winter tyres are fitted automatically when appropriate, at no extra cost.
CDW and TPL are included as standard. You can add our MAX zero-excess package for extra peace of mind.
From 20 for the smallest 4×4 class; 23–25 for larger models. Check each vehicle card for details.
Yes. One-way returns are available; fees may apply.
The 2026 Icelandic road usage charge applies to all vehicles, including every 4×4 in our fleet. The total charge is approx. 8.35 ISK per km (incl. Hertz service fee and VAT), calculated automatically based on mileage and added to your final invoice at return.
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