How to Choose the Best Car for Iceland

Planning a road trip to the incredible country of Iceland? Can we join you? From breathtaking glaciers and waterfalls, to awe-inspiring volcanic craters and geothermal lagoons, the natural wonders of Iceland are truly unbelievable!

The best way to see all these amazing landscapes is for sure by car, as many Icelandic attractions can only be reached by driving. When planning your Iceland road trip adventure, it can, however, be overwhelming to know which car to choose, especially when driving in different conditions than you may be used to at home.

So, what’s the best car to drive in Iceland? Let’s explore some of our top recommendations for the best car for Iceland, so you’ll be all set for your perfect Iceland vacation!

Which is the Best Car For Iceland? – A Quick Overview

Choosing the best car to drive in Iceland will be different for different travelers, as it’ll depend on factors such as where and when you’re planning to go on your trip and how many people you’re traveling with.

For example, if you’re planning to visit some of Iceland’s more remote and rural destinations, such as the Icelandic Highlands, you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle. If you’re planning to stick to the main Ring Road, which takes you to all the most famous of Iceland’s natural wonders, a standard or compact car will be perfect for you.

One of the most important factors to take into consideration when choosing the best car to drive in Iceland is the different road types you’ll find here. While you may only be used to paved roads in your home country, Iceland has three road types: paved, gravel and F-roads.

Paved roads and gravel roads can be driven on by any car, but it’s mandatory to drive a 4x4 vehicle on the mountainous F-roads, which can be found leading to the Icelandic Highlands in the interior of the country.

Let’s take a closer look at each vehicle type to explore which the best car to drive in Iceland is for your trip.

Best Car to Drive in Iceland For Couples or Small Groups

Couples and small groups will most likely find a compact or economy vehicle suits their needs best. As well as being small and easy to drive, these cars are cheaper to drive due to their high fuel-efficiency.

Here are some of the best car models to drive in Iceland for couples or small groups:

• Kia Picanto

• Kia Rio

• Volkswagen Polo

• Kia Ceed

• Toyota Yaris

• Toyota Aygo

Perfect for reaching all the main sights and tourist attractions across Iceland, these cars can take you longer distances, which is especially helpful if you’re planning to drive round the Ring Road (Route 1).

Just make sure to check you can fit all your luggage in the car before you decide which is the best car to drive in Iceland for you and your group!

Best Car to Drive in Iceland For Families or Large Groups

A large vehicle, such as a 7-seater sedan, may be more suitable for you if you’re traveling with a bigger group. Perfect for fitting all your bags in and giving you extra legroom, large passenger models are one of the most comfortable vehicle options for your Iceland road trip.

Some of the best cars to drive in Iceland for large groups are:

• Nissan X-Trail (7-seater)

• Renault Traffic (9-seater)

• Kia Sorento 4x4 (7-seater)

Practical, convenient and stylish, these cars are all brilliant options for exploring the incredible landscapes of Iceland with your family. An extra bonus of renting a sedan or large passenger model is that you’ll get bigger windows – perfect for enjoying an unbeatable view of Iceland’s natural wonders!

Best Car to Drive in Iceland to Visit the Main Tourist Attractions

If you’re planning to spend your time in Iceland visiting the major tourist attractions and sights, you’ll mainly be driving on Route 1, the country’s main Ring Road. This paved road is regularly maintained and easy to drive on, so any Iceland rental car will be suitable.

Any of the recommended models for both small and large groups will serve you well for a road trip to Iceland’s most popular sights, including Reykjavik and its surrounding areas, the famous Golden Circle route and the incredible Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in South Iceland.

Best Car to Drive in Iceland For Exploring the Highlands

For those travelers wanting to venture off the beaten path to Iceland’s wild and rugged Highlands in the center of the country, a 4x4 vehicle will be the best car to drive in Iceland for your trip. That’s because a 4x4 is mandatory for driving on the mountainous, unpaved, gravel F-roads that lead to the Highlands.

River crossings are also common on the way to the Icelandic Highlands, so an SUV is a great choice for this journey. Some of the best 4x4 vehicles to take a look at include the following models:

• Dacia Duster

• Nissan Qashqai

• Suzuki Vitara

• Hyundai Tucson

• Kia Sportage

• Kia Sorento

Each of these cars will be able to take you across water and gravel roads, making them perfect for avid explorers who wish to venture to more remote areas of Iceland.

We also recommend renting a 4x4 vehicle if you plan to go Northern Lights hunting in Iceland outside of the main cities and towns. The best chance to spot this incredible dancing light show is somewhere with dark skies away from light pollution, so you may choose to head to a more remote location to catch this amazing spectacle. If that’s the case, a 4x4 will serve you well, especially if you end up on any gravel roads.

Best Car to Drive in Iceland During Winter

The 4x4 vehicles for the Icelandic Highlands are also recommended for any trip to Iceland during the winter season. Snowy and icy road conditions can be dangerous, so a 4x4 vehicle is the best car for Iceland during the colder months.

4x4 vehicles will help you feel safe when driving in Iceland during winter, as you’ll be able to maneuver and maintain control of your vehicle much more easily on snow or ice in an all-wheel drive. You’ll also be pleased to know that winter tires become standard on all rental cars in Iceland starting in November.

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Car to Drive in Iceland

When picking the best car for your trip to Iceland, here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Book in advance – As Iceland becomes an increasingly popular tourist destination, hotels, restaurants and rental cars tend to book up in advance, especially during the peak tourist season of summer. It’s always a good idea to reserve your car beforehand to make sure you get your top pick of model.

• Research the rental company – Make sure you’re choosing a reputable car rental company in Iceland by reading online reviews on websites like Google and Tripadvisor. These will give you a good idea of other people’s experience with the company and the level of customer service you can expect.

• Check where you can pick up and drop off the car – Make sure the pick-up and drop-off locations are convenient for you. Most car rental companies in Iceland offer pick up at either the airport or in the capital of Reykjavik.

• Take photos and videos before and after – You’re unlikely to need these, but it’s good practice to take a picture and/or video of your car before you set off on the road. This will protect you if there’s any pre-existing damage to the vehicle.

• Find out whether insurance is included – A basic insurance package is required when driving in Iceland. Some rental companies include this in the rental price, but others may add it on to the cost. You can also choose to purchase additional insurance packages depending on where you plan to drive during your Iceland trip, so it can help to ask about insurance before you decide which car you want to drive during your vacation.

So, Which Car Should I Choose in Iceland?

We hope you feel more clued up now about which the best car to drive in Iceland is for your trip. Who’s looking forward to seeing glaciers, hot springs and volcanoes in real life?

Let’s make your dream Iceland trip a reality by exploring accommodation, flight and vehicle options. Find your perfect Iceland rental car to take you on your once-in-a-lifetime vacation here, the we can get started on planning the perfect itinerary – exciting!