What is considered a premium car rental?
Looking to rent a car in style? A premium vehicle could be just what you're looking for. Learn what's considered a premium rental in our guide.
Why rent a car? The answer you give will depend on your specific requirements.
But whatever your needs, one powerful reason is this: renting lets you enjoy a vehicle with better performance and features than you could otherwise afford.
Comfy seats, crisp sound, convenient parking sensors… These are just a few advantages of renting a higher-end vehicle for business, pleasure or a bit of both.
Not only that, but the car itself will be made from superior materials and provide you and your travel-mates with a quieter ride.
These kinds of car rental agreements are sometimes referred to as "premium car rentals". These offer a car with luxury features at a below luxury price.
Premium cars and luxury cars aren't, however, the same thing. To put the difference into focus, let's first look at some examples of premium cars available on the market.
Examples of premium cars on the market in 2025
All sorts of brands provide premium cars with almost-luxury features and performance.
These brands include household names like Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Porsche and Tesla.
Specific premium models include:
- The Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class and GLA
- The Jaguar XJ
- The Audi A4 Avant
- Volvo's V60 SW, XC60 and V40
All these vehicles provide a higher level of performance and better features than their standard counterparts. They don't, however, provide the all-out prestige of a luxury car.
What's the difference between a premium car rental and a luxury car rental?
As the name suggests, a luxury car provides pure luxury. Renters can expect the highest level of comfort, performance and technology on the market from the world's most exclusive brands.
Luxury cars on the market in 2025 include:
- The BMW X7
- The Range Rover Sport
- The Audi Q7
- The Rolls-Royce Ghost
Naturally, these vehicles come with a hefty price tag. But if such vehicles exceed your budget, you needn't despair. Premium cars give you a taste of this kind of luxury for less.
At its most basic, this is the definition of a premium car: one that offers superior features at a lower price than a luxury vehicle.
What are the pros and cons of hiring a premium car?
Perhaps the biggest advantage of hiring a premium car is that you get to travel in style for less.
It's not just a matter of style, however. As well as looking the part, premium cars typically offer a more comfortable experience for passengers and drivers.
And like all car rentals, you get to enjoy these benefits without going all in and having to deal with maintenance, depreciation and insurance. (However, it's best to choose a company like ours that includes insurance as standard.)
Not every renter needs a premium car, though. It may be that you need something more straightforwardly functional on a lower budget. In this case, there's little point in paying extra for a premium vehicle.
One of the main disadvantages of renting a premium car is that it will cost more upfront. Most of the time, however, this will be justified by what you're getting.
On top of this, car rental means you don't get the long-term benefits of owning a vehicle. But whether you're driving to a business meeting or a weekend away, a car rental can still be a great choice.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of going premium is that it will give you a taste for luxury. Once you've enjoyed that superior look and comfort, you may find it hard to go back to standard cars!
What are some common reasons for renting a premium car?
There are two main reasons for renting a premium car – and they often overlap.
The first reason to go premium is a wish to travel in style for less. The second is to make an impression.
In the business world, these reasons often go hand in hand. Perhaps you're driving to a client or partner meeting. Or maybe you're attending a corporate event.
Either way, a premium car can help show that you mean business – literally.
Both reasons apply in the very different world of special occasions. Celebrating a wedding, anniversary or birthday? A premium car can help you celebrate in style without emptying your wallet.
In other situations, a premium car has the key advantage of giving you a first-class travel experience. It's not about making an impression – just tasting the high life for a little while.
A premium car rental could enhance a scenic drive or weekend getaway. No need to commit to long-term ownership. Instead, you get to live the dream on a budget, enjoying one of the best vehicles on the market.
And, of course, you can rent a premium car for the sheer fun of it. If you've got a bit of spare cash, why not treat yourself to a spot of first-class driving?
Last but not least, premium car rentals are sometimes used by photographers and filmmakers who want to add a bit of glamour to their shoot.
Whatever the nature of the shoot, it's not always possible to afford a luxury car. In this situation, a premium car gives you the high-end you need without the high price.
How we can help
Here at MVH Rental, we've provided drivers in the North East with cars of all makes, models and styles for years.
Our customers can expect affordable rates and friendly service. On top of this, all our car rentals include a full valet and safety check, insurance, breakdown cover and a price match guarantee.
So if you're looking for a luxury ride for less, get in touch with us today for a quick, competitive quote – or explore our premium car rental options online.
