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Best Rental Cars for a Trip to the Mountains, Coast, or City

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Best Rental Cars for a Trip to the Mountains, Coast, or City


Renting a car can feel a lot like shopping for a bottle of wine. You never want to get the cheapest one, if only to prove something to yourself. The second cheapest one, though? Fair game. Oh, and it has to look good—because it’s a reflection of your taste, right? While this is how most of us approach rental cars, there are so many different factors that deserve consideration, especially if you need the vehicle for more than a ride around town. In this way, renting a car really is like hunting for the perfect wine. You wouldn’t rent a sports car for an off-roading adventure, just like you’d never serve a cabernet with flounder, right? (Right…?)

So, which vehicle is best paired with your upcoming vacation? To steer you in the right direction, we spoke with Andrew Maness, editor-in-chief of The Motoring Journal, the official magazine behind The Motoring Club.

Here are Maness’ tips on picking the best rental car. Note that we’ll try to keep this as universal and as ageless as possible. We won’t pick specific models. Instead, we’ll suggest the types of vehicles and their features that serve each type of driving experience. It’ll be up to you to apply his advice to the options you have at each rental location. His advice applies to car shopping, too, should you want to tailor your purchase toward the same criteria.

Best Rental Car for Driving in the Mountains

If you can drive manual, then you should opt for that option here, whether it’s with three pedals or two, says Maness. “The ability to take it easy on your brakes when going downhill, especially in inclement weather is ideal.” He also says that an all-wheel-drive system, plus a torque-toting engine are your best bets for the constant elevation changes.

“You’re spoiled for choice, from compact trucks, crossovers, and even most mid-size sedans,” he says. But his favorite remains the ever-reliable station wagon (or a crossover based on one). “It strikes a balance between being comfortable and economical on long drives, and is great for hauling people and stuff, too.” If you can, get one with a premium all-season tire, he says. “One that’s rated for mud and snow, while also having a good water siping tread, is the best do-it-all tire for mountain terrain. Unless you’re regularly getting after it on off-road trails, you can leave the 33s and 35s, you don’t need a wildly aggressive tire.”

Best All-Terrain Rental Car for Off-Roading and Varied Landscapes

Believe it or not, bigger is not better with all-terrain vehicles. “While they look cool all built up, light and heavy duty trucks aren’t great in most off-road trail situations, due to how large they’ve become,” Maness says. “It’s now the compact truck segment where the best options are found, though the market is still catching up on including all the features you’d hope to find in these vehicles considering the price of admission.” Among those ideal features, Maness lists a good approach and departure angles, manually operable gears, and a locking rear differential (if not front and center as well).

Don’t forget that your vehicle is not simply a vehicle; it’s a tool, especially as you push into alternate terrains. “Ground clearance, breakover angle, and underbody protection are also important considerations. But don’t be fooled by body cladding over wheel arches and some fancy badging…that won’t help you over rough trails,” Maness adds.

…As for Navigating Winter or Inclement Weather

“Perceived toughness counts for nothing when contending with foul weather,” Maness says of the vehicles that boast brawn. Really, it all comes down to the tires: “I’ll take a rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive vehicle with snow-rated / all-season or winter tires, over an all-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive vehicle on regular tires any day.”

Best Rental Car for Easy, Breezy Coasting

Let’s say you’re driving down California’s Highway 1, some windy stretch like Big Sur’s curves. You don’t need to worry about speed, but should instead prioritize how it handles. And don’t worry—a lot of convertibles stay in contention. “If you can’t get one, a ‘pillarless’ coupe with the windows rolled down is a great alternative,” Maness says. (That’s where the b-pillar, or the physical divide between the front and rear-seat windows, is removed.) “If all else fails, a hatchback with a peppy engine will do the trick. Avoid SUVs, trucks, or anything else with a big footprint that will have a lot of body roll.”

Best Compact Rental Car

Whether you’re saving on gas or simply want more places to parallel park, a compact car is an obvious choice for the solo (or even duo) traveler. “I usually go for a compact hatchback over a sedan for more cargo space, but the most important consideration overall should be visibility (your number one safety feature) and then active safety systems, driver assistance systems,” Maness says.

Most Eco-Friendly Rental Car

“Every automaker out there is talking about how eco-conscious they are and their plan to save the planet, but remember, bluster and best-laid plans don’t always yield results,” Maness reminds. “It’s important to consider the whole picture, or as much of it as you can see when evaluating how environmentally friendly a vehicle is. Hyundai and KIA lead all automakers in the number of EV and hybrid models offered and they’re legitimately great products. Subaru, Volvo, and GM also offer a number of efficient vehicles that use sustainable materials and are built using environmentally friendly production methods.” Beyond that, he stresses the importance of knowing where and how a vehicle was built, what materials were used, and how those materials were acquired. “That’s how you get a real understanding of just how environmentally friendly it is.”

Best Rental Car to Satiate Your Need for Speed

Three qualities are imperative for those long stretches of interstate: Stability, braking power, grip. “There aren’t many slow vehicles out there anymore, since pretty much everything new is quick and there’s plenty of vehicles that are fast,” Maness says. “However speed isn’t worth a thing if you can’t control it. The sports cars (or SUVs for that matter) that I enjoy the most are the ones with the option for snappy manual transmissions, but are smart enough to automatically choose the right gear for me, depending on my driving style and the selectable mode I’m in.” Maness says he would choose a light vehicle with less power and a manual transmission over a heavy vehicle with lots of power and an automatic transmission.

“Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota are the only brands currently offering what I would call a pure sports car at a reasonable rate,” he says. “Step up to a higher price point and your money is best spent with Porsche. I know it’s predictable, but nobody does a reliable and capable performance car that ticks all the enthusiast boxes like they do.”

Best Rental Car for Families

Safety should always be the top priority, but when you’re toting the kids, its importance magnifies exponentially. “Nobody does safety better than Volvo, Subaru, and Mercedes-Benz,” Maness says. “All three offer excellent three-row SUV options. Visibility and stability are major considerations here, and these brands tick both boxes.”

Best Rental Utility Vehicle

This question is as simple as “SUV or pickup”? Maness says it really boils down to whether you want to toss something in the bed or arrange it neatly inside. “Is the stuff you move regularly dirty, mildly dangerous, or otherwise not ideal to have inside a space shared with people? If so, get a truck. If not, get an SUV. Towing is a consideration too, but most new full size SUVs share tow ratings with their pickup counterparts. In many instances, a commercial van is the better choice for job site work that doesn’t involve serious payload. But vans are typically overlooked because they don’t fit the aesthetic people are looking for. Just be honest with yourself about how much utility you truly require so you don’t end up with more vehicle than you actually need.”


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10 Best Porters to Drink Right Now

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A bottle of Deschutes Black Butte Porter




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Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

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Barbell Back Squat


The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.

“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.

If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.

Directions

Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.

Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength

Circuit 1

Marius Bugge

A. Barbell Back Squat

Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts renegade row
Marius Bugge

B. Renegade Row

Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side

Circuit 2

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing renegade row Dumbbell Bentover Row in gym
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bentover Row

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 
Marius Bugge

B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised 

Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 3

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Marius Bugge

A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat

Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Marius Bugge

B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side

Circuit 4

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing pullup
Marius Bugge

A. Pullup

Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Athletic man wearing gray T-shirt and maroon shorts doing Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Marius Bugge

B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press

Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps

Circuit 5

A. Dumbbell Pushup

Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps

B. Biceps Curl

Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps


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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout

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The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout




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