Our Readers' Top 5 Car Rental Companies of 2021

For our latest suggestions, be sure to check out the 2023 list of our preferred car rental companies.

The World's Best Awards survey for this year was open for votes from January 11 to May 10, 2021, coinciding with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in various destinations. Survey participants were encouraged to reflect on their travel experiences over the last three years. We hope this year's winners spark your travel inspiration as you venture out again.

There's no denying it: the past year has been challenging for car rental businesses. Initially, demand plummeted due to the pandemic. Then, a surge in road trip interest led to a "carpocalypse" that resulted in soaring prices, fewer options, and frustrated customers nationwide. While voters for the World's Best Awards could draw from experiences over the past few years, recent events notably influenced their choices in 2021, with the top company scoring lower than last year's third-place contender.

Each year, T+L conducts the World's Best Awards survey, inviting readers to share their travel experiences worldwide — including their opinions on the best hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Car rental companies were evaluated based on vehicle selection, availability, rental locations, service quality, and overall value.

Even amid the challenges of the pandemic, consumers had positive feedback for their favorite brands. For instance, National Car Rental, ranked No. 2, received comments like, "They always provide excellent service and have fantastic staff," from one voter. Another respondent highlighted convenience: "I love their Emerald Aisle service, allowing me to choose the perfect car for my trip." Many readers praised National's loyalty program, Emerald Club, with one saying, "They never disappoint," and noting, "They have the newest and cleanest vehicles."

Despite numerous hurdles in the past year, 2021 brought a new champion, as Enterprise Rent-A-Car claimed the top spot. Continue reading to discover why voters deemed it the best and to view the full list of the leading car rental companies, as voted by T+L readers.

1. Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Montgomery, Alabama, Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Universal Images Group/Getty Images

After finishing second last year, Enterprise has now secured the top spot. "It’s a reliable company that consistently offers a great selection, even at smaller locations," remarked one supporter. Another fan praised, "Their service has always been exceptional. They upgraded me to an Audi for my birthday — thoughtful gestures like that keep me coming back to Enterprise. No matter which vehicle I pick, it’s always immaculate and comfortable." Many voters recounted experiences of Enterprise employees going the extra mile, leading to high praise for the brand. "They’re my preferred rental car company," shared one loyal customer. "I made the switch a decade ago, and they’ve hardly ever let me down since!"

WBA Hall of Fame inductee. Score: 78.13 More info: enterprise.com