There are so many things to do in Iceland, and as a result, there are many different types of trips people to take to Iceland. You might be keen to have an adventure holiday, drive the full Ring Road, explore the highlands, or just stick close to Reykjavik. Whatever your journey of choice, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a rental car that is suitable for your trip to Iceland.
Iceland’s terrain can be rough and the weather is unpredictable, so you’ll want to make sure that you select a car that is reliable and safe, and if you’re going to be travelling north or into the highland roads, you’ll need to take this into consideration as well. In some cases, you will need to hire a 4x4 for some of the trickier roads in the country.
Best Cars for Reykjavik
Best Cars for the Golden Circle
Best Cars for the Ring Road
Best Cars for the Highlands and F-Roads
Best Cars for Reykjavik
If you’re only visiting Iceland for a day or two, or just plan to stay close to Reykjavik, you may want a car to see some of the nearby attractions like the Blue Lagoon or Álafoss waterfall. If you are sticking close to Reykjavik, you are not likely to need to worry about renting a 4x4 vehicle as you are unlikely to encounter any difficult terrain.
For tourists staying close to Reykjavik, a smaller car will be more than appropriate for your visit. If you’re having trouble picking which car is best for your trip in and around Reykjavik, we have made recommendations for you.
Great for solo travellers: Toyota Aygo
Great for couples: Toyota Yaris
Great for groups or families: Dacia Duster
Best Cars for the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a fantastic way to see some of the top attractions in Iceland without having to venture out of the south. Since the Golden Circle is located in the southern part of the country, the terrain is more manageable than in the north or in the highlands. The roads on the Golden Circle are typically paved and well maintained, meaning that you don’t need to feel limited to a 4x4.
If you’re planning to tour the Golden Circle, we would suggest a sizable and comfortable car, as the Golden Circle requires several hours on the road. These are our top suggestions for best rental cars for driving the Golden Circle:
Great for solo travellers: Toyota Aygo
Great for couples: Toyota Yaris
Great for groups of families: Toyota Corolla
Best Cars for the Ring Road
Driving the Ring Road in Iceland is the ultimate road trip experience. The Ring Road, or Route 1, is a circular road that takes you all around the perimeter of Iceland. There are many fantastic sights and attractions on the route, making it a popular choice for people who have more time to spend in Iceland and experiencing its wonders. The Ring Road can be driven in about a week at a relaxing pace and is just over 1,300km.
The Ring Road is paved and maintained all year, including during the winter. However, the weather in the north can still be treacherous, depending on when you are travelling. We would suggest selecting a car that does have 4x4 capabilities, just in case weather conditions deem it necessary. You’ll also want to make sure the vehicle is comfortable and has the appropriate amount of luggage space, as you’ll be touring the Ring Road for at least a few days. Here are our top pics for the best cars to drive the Ring Road in Iceland:
Great for solo travellers: Suzuki Jimny
Great for couples: Toyota Rav4
Great for groups or families: Land Rover Discovery Sport
Best Cars for the Highlands and F-Roads
The Highland roads, or F-Roads in Iceland, are very rural roads that are spread throughout the country. The are gravel surfaced and the terrain is very rough. Due to the extreme weather in the areas where the F-Roads are located, they are closed each winter and are only accessible during the summer months. However, some of the sights located along the F-Roads are fantastic making it well worth the adventure.
You will need a 4x4 car to travel on the F-Roads, and this is very important as cars that are not 4x4 will not be able to cope with the terrain and you could encounter very dangerous situations in an unsuitable car. These are our top suggestions:
Great for solo travellers: Suzuki Jimny
Great for couples: Toyota Rav4
Great for families or groups: Toyota Landcruiser