Had a great time booking and renting with Budget. But please bear in mind that safety comes first.

Quite good overall

Good

Spent 17 days in the USA, and this car rental company's vehicles (all Dodge 7-seat MPVs) had the worst conditions, mainly in terms of appearance and performance. I pointed out the exterior issues to the security at the exit when picking up the car, but later found that the headlights, wipers, and air conditioning all had problems. Driving in heavy rain was tough, as the wipers were noisy, the front defroster was ineffective, and there was no automatic air conditioning, so I had to adjust it manually. The fog lights didn't turn on automatically or with the wipers (unlike previous cars). The low beam headlights were almost useless in heavy rain and rural areas, making it nearly impossible to see the road, forcing me to use high beams constantly. I was worried about getting stopped by the police, especially since New Jersey does not allow unlicensed driving.

I waited in line for over an hour to pick up the car, which is understandable during peak tourist season. When it was my turn, the staff informed me that the only available model was a Hyundai Santa Fe. I didn't want to drive a Korean car and told him so, but he said I had no other choice unless I paid more. The cars he recommended all required an additional $100 per day. I agreed to downgrade to a standard SUV and was okay with a five-seater, but they only had a Kia available (I've clearly stated I don't drive Korean cars!!). In the end, I chose a Cadillac XTS, which cost an extra $25 per day. I had booked a seven-seater SUV but ended up with a five-seater sedan, and I still had to pay more?

Pick up was quick. Counter staff were extremely courteous and professional. Given a free upgrade.

Easy enough to navigate and find a car at a competitive price.