Which Hire Car Suits Your Perth Trip?

How to Match the Car to Your Plans

You’ve decided to book a car hire in Perth. Smart move. The harder question is the one that stalls a lot of people at the booking screen: which hire car suits your Perth trip? A tiny hatch is perfect for darting around the city and a waste of money for a wine weekend with mates. A seven‑seater is brilliant for a family holiday and overkill for a solo airport run.

This guide flips the usual advice. Instead of listing cars and hoping you work it out, we start with your trip and point you to the right car. Pick your plan below, and you’ll know what to book.

Start with the trip, not the car

The best way to choose a hire car is to answer three quick questions:

1. How many people? Count everyone, including the people who “might” come.
2. How much gear? Bags, prams, eskies, golf clubs, surfboards.
3. How far, and where? A few suburbs, or hundreds of kilometres up the coast?

Get those three right and the car almost picks itself. Below, we match the most common Perth trips to the class that fits.

Match the hire car to your Perth trip (quick guide)

Prices and exact models vary — always confirm with a live quote.

A city runaround: keep it small and cheap

If your Perth trip is mostly suburbs, the CBD, Northbridge dinners and the odd beach day, you don’t need anything big. A small car is the sweet spot.

The Kia Picanto is the pick here. It seats five, sips fuel, and slips into tight city car parks without drama. It’s also Ace Rent’s cheapest hire car, starting from $24/day. For a quick airport pickup or a week of getting around town, a small car saves you money twice — lower daily rate and less fuel.

Manual or auto? Most people choose automatic for stop‑start city traffic. The Picanto comes in both.

Ready to roll? Grab a small‑car quote in under a minute — call 08 9472 4222 or book online. No hidden fees.

A Margaret River wine weekend: comfort and boot space

The drive from Perth to Margaret River is around three hours of open road, so comfort starts to matter. For two people, a small car still works and keeps costs down. But if you want a smoother ride for the highway, or you’re bringing a few cases home, step up to a 5‑seat SUV like the MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX or Subaru Crosstrek.

The SUV’s generous boot is a bonus for this trip. Wine, picnic gear, a weekend bag each — it all fits without playing Tetris. Your seating is also elevated, which many drivers prefer for long stretches.

Planning a closer wine day instead? The Swan Valley is only about 30 minutes from the city, so a small car is plenty. Either way, sort your designated driver before you go beware of random roadside alcohol testing 

Tip: SUV rates changes with the season and the length of hire, and longer bookings unlock discounts. Ask about the 28‑day special and the 10% off bookings over 14 days.

A family holiday or group trip: seats and luggage

Five people with luggage is the point where a small car stops working. For families and groups, look at:

• 7‑seat SUV (Isuzu MU‑X or Kia Sorento) — room for the kids, the bags and a couple of extra passengers.
• Minibus (Toyota Hiace) — for bigger groups, sports teams or events, with up to 8–12 seats.

A common trap is booking five seats for five people and forgetting the luggage. Five adults plus five suitcases usually needs the boot of a seven‑seater or a van. Count seats and cargo.

Travelling with little ones? Baby seats and booster seats are available to hire — add them to your booking so they’re fitted and ready.

Got a crew? See minibus hire for group options, or call 08 9472 4222 and we’ll match the right size to your numbers.

Heading up north: long coastal drives done right

This is the trip which visitors often underestimate, so let’s be straight with you.

A long run up the Coral Coast – the Pinnacles at Cervantes, Kalbarri, Geraldton and beyond — is a brilliant Perth road trip. For big distances you want comfort and space, so a 5‑seat or 7‑seat SUV is the smart choice. Pack properly, plan your fuel stops, and it’s a great drive.

Two things you must know before you book:

1. Stay on sealed roads. Ace Rent’s rental agreement does not cover damage on unsealed roads (unsealed means: no asphalt and gravel) Third‑party cover applies on gazetted public roads only. If you damage the car off the bitumen, you can be liable for the full repair or replacement cost. Our fleet is for sealed‑highway touring — not beach driving, not bush tracks, not the Gibb River Road. If your trip genuinely needs off‑road 4WD travel on dirt, hire from a specialist 4WD outfit built for it, not a city hire car.
2. Mind the geofence. There’s a limit on how far you can travel — confirm the current boundaries when you book (the contract lists Carnarvon in the north, Kalgoorlie in the east and Esperance in the south, while the website notes coastal‑road travel north). Crossing those boundaries  carries a penalty and voids your insurance cover.

A few more long‑drive basics:

• Kilometres: Your rate includes 100 km/day. For a big trip, ask about the unlimited‑kilometre option (available on hires of three days or more) so you’re not paying $0.30 for every extra kilometre.
• Animals: Hitting a kangaroo isn’t covered. Avoid driving at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
• Tyres and fluids: On a long hire, you’re responsible for checking tyre pressure and fluid levels along the way.
• Conditions: Check Main Roads WA’s travel info for road and weather updates before you set off.

Planning a coastal road trip? Talk to our team about the right SUV and the unlimited‑kilometre option: 08 9472 4222.

Carrying gear, tools or cargo: utes and vans

Not every Perth trip is about passengers. If you’re moving house, hauling tools or loading up bikes and boards, a passenger car won’t cut it.

• Ute — the Isuzu D‑Max double cab seats five and gives you an open tray for the big, dirty or awkward loads.
• Van — the Toyota Hiace van offers a large enclosed space, handy for furniture, deliveries or keeping gear out of the weather.

Tradies and movers tend to know exactly what they need. If you’re unsure whether a ute or a van suits the job, tell us the load and we’ll point you the right way.

Need to shift a load? Compare ute hire and van hire and book the one that fits.

Fuel efficiency vs capability: the real trade‑off

Here’s the balance every booking comes down to. Bigger vehicles carry more people and gear, but they cost more per day and use more fuel. Smaller vehicles are cheaper to run but run out of room fast.

• Small car (Picanto): lowest daily rate, lowest fuel use, least space.
• SUV: more comfort and boot space, more fuel than a small car.
• 7‑seat SUV / minibus / van: most room, highest running cost.

Want to see the fuel side in dollars before you choose? Use Ace Rent’s fuel cost calculator to compare.

Hire car classes compared

Advertised starting rates that change with season and hire length. Get a live quote for your dates.

What it costs: a clear list

No surprises at the counter — here’s what is included.

What’s in the daily rate

• The daily vehicle rate
• Vehicle registration recovery fee (covers rego and compulsory third‑party insurance)
• Administration fee
• Up to 100 km per day
• 24‑hour roadside assistance
• Complimentary airport shuttle to/from the Redcliffe branch (when you select an airport terminal)

Optional extras (paid)

• Unlimited kilometres (hires of 3+ days)
• Excess reduction (lowers your liability if there’s an accident)
• Child and booster seats
• GPS navigation
• Additional drivers (charge is capped at 7 days; all drivers must be on the agreement)
• International licence fee: $6/day, capped at 7 days (NZ and UK licences exempt)

Good to know

• Security bond: a refundable bond applies (around $700, varies by vehicle).
• Excess kilometres: $0.30 per km over your daily allowance.
• Fuel: return it at the same fuel level you collected it, or pay the fuel cost plus an admin fee.
• Cleaning: return it reasonably clean; fees apply for dirty cars or pet hair.
• Late return: $50 per hour, with longer delays charged at the full daily rate.
• Cancellation: free if you cancel at least 48 hours before pickup (December bookings need more notice).

Discounts worth asking for

• 10% off bookings over 14 days
• Hire 30 days and get one day free
• Price‑beat guarantee on comparable vehicles
• Airport specials from $39/day

See the full list on the rates and charges page.

How to pick your hire car: step by step

1. Plan your trip. City, weekend away, group holiday, long drive or cargo run?
2. Accurate head and luggage count. Seats and boot space.
3. Choose auto or manual. Auto suits most city and highway driving.
4. Check the distance. Going far? Add the unlimited‑kilometre option.
5. Check where you’re going. Confirm the geofence and stay on sealed roads.
6. Add your extras. Child seats, GPS, excess reduction, extra drivers.
7. Get a quote and book direct. Quotes hold for 48 hours — confirm to lock the rate. You’ll need a valid driver’s licence and a credit card.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Booking too small or too big. Cramped conditions can dampen spirits, while empty seats cost you in rate and fuel. Match the car to the trip.
• Forgetting to calculate the luggage. Five seats doesn’t allow for passengers plus five suitcases.
• Assuming kilometres are unlimited. They’re not by default — it’s a paid add‑on.
• Planning dirt‑road or off‑road travel in a 2WD hire car. Unsealed‑road damage isn’t covered. Our fleet is not suitable. Use a specialist 4WD operator for that.
• Ignoring the geofence. Crossing the travel boundaries incurs a penalty and voids cover.
• Renting from an operator inside the airport terminal. Collecting just outside the precinct (Redcliffe) is usually cheaper, with a free shuttle.
• Returning with less fuel. You’ll pay the fuel plus an admin fee.
• Leaving extra drivers off the agreement. Only listed drivers are insured.
• Booking at the last minute in peak season. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for the best choice and price.

Frequently asked questions

Which hire car suits a Perth city trip?

A small car like the Kia Picanto is the best fit for city driving. It’s cheap to hire, light on fuel and easy to park in the CBD. Hire starts from $24/day.

What’s the best hire car for a Margaret River wine weekend?

For two people, a small car keeps costs down. For more comfort on the three‑hour drive or extra boot space for your bottles, choose a 5‑seat SUV such as the MG ZS, or Subaru Crosstrek.

Can I drive a hire car on unsealed roads or off‑road in WA?

No. Damage or accidents on unsealed or gravel roads are not covered, and you’d be liable for the full repair or replacement cost. Hire cars are for sealed public roads. For genuine off‑road or 4WD travel, use a specialist 4WD operator.

How far can I drive a hire car from Perth?

There’s a set travel boundary (a geofence). Confirm the current limits when you book — crossing the boundary brings a penalty and voids your insurance. For long trips, ask about the unlimited‑kilometre option.

Is automatic or manual better for a Perth trip?

Automatic suits most drivers for stop‑start city traffic and relaxed highway driving. 

How many kilometres are included, and do I need unlimited km?

Your daily rate includes 100 km per day. Extra kilometres are $0.30 each. For a long drive, the unlimited‑kilometre add‑on (on hires of 3+ days) usually works out cheaper.

Do I need an SUV for a Perth road trip?

Only for the comfort and space, not for capability. On sealed roads, an SUV gives you a smoother ride and a bigger boot. It does not let you drive off‑road in a hire car — that’s still not covered.

What do I need to hire a car in Perth?

A valid driver’s licence and a credit card. Drivers under 22 have some vehicle restrictions, and a small daily fee applies to most international licences.

Ready to book the right hire car?

Tell us your trip and we’ll match the car. Honest pricing, low damage excess, free airport transfers and branches at Redcliffe, Victoria Park and Mandurah.

Call 08 9472 4222, WhatsApp +61 412 118 988, or book online.