Why rent a SUV?

By Vroom Team • Reviewed 21 Jan 2026

There are plenty of reasons why renting a SUV might be the perfect choice for your self-drive holiday in Australia.

Whether you’re road tripping all around Australia or looking for that extra bit of comfort in an urban setting, renting a SUV can be a great choice. Read on to learn some of the best reasons for renting a SUV class hire car for your Australian road trip.

Great for long road trips
If you’re planning to go on a long road trip along the Great Ocean Road, or maybe from Darwin to the Red Centre, an SUV can make your trip that little bit more magical. Driving distances in Australia can be considerable, and by renting a medium or large SUV you can fit in all of your luggage, family and friends, all without feeling too crowded, and just sit back, relax and enjoy the drive.
Perfect for urban driving
Thinking of booking an SUV rental in Sydney or Melbourne? A small or compact SUV can be the perfect choice for zipping around either of these major cities while also providing comfort for day trips out of the big smoke. With a small or compact SUV you get the perks of a SUV but in a smaller package, making this class of hire car ideal for shorter trips when your car doesn’t need to be full of luggage. Many SUVs have built-in mapping features to help you navigate Australian cities easily.
Large capacity for luggage
Large SUVs can hold more luggage than a regular hire car, and some models even have three extra seats that can be lifted up to accommodate more passengers. It’s a win-win for those with lots of things — or people — to lug around. If you’ve travelled to Australia from overseas, chances are you’ve got quite a bit of luggage, again making a rental SUV a great choice.
Ideal for camping
If you’re planning on a camping road trip, with a hired SUV you can fit tents, supplies, food, and all those camping essentials in the boot and still enjoy a smooth ride to remote areas. With a powerful engine, an SUV is going to get you where you need to go with ease and safety. Camping in Australia is a very popular activity, and the country has plenty of stunning campsites, and an SUV can get you to some of the best of them.
Plenty of safety features
Chances are you’ll be driving your rental car a lot — that’s why you’re renting it — and while every car available for hire is filled with safety features to keep you safe and sound, some SUVs come with extra safety features. These can include Electronic Stability Control which decreases the chance of the car rolling in the event of an accident.
Well-suited for families
Have baby seats that need to fit in the car? What about teenagers who need more leg room? Equiped with a great sound system, comfy seats and enough space to reduce irritability, you’ll thank yourself later for renting an SUV rather than a smaller compact car for the family. An SUV can be a great option for families.

About the author

Vroom Team

VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.