Turo vs Hiyacar: Which car rental platform is right for you?

posted on 1 July 2026

Do you need to rent a car in the UK? If you’re comparing your car rental options, you might be comparing options like Turo and Hiyacar.

While both allow you to rent vehicles directly from local owners, they differ in terms of scale, vehicle selection, and even where you can take the car. In this guide, we help you understand the key difference between Turo vs Hiyacar, including how they compare, the booking experience, and how to decide which car rental platform is right for your needs.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What is Turo?

Turo is a car rental marketplace, on a mission to reinvent the car rental experience in the US, Canada, the UK, France and Australia. Instead of booking from a fixed fleet of cars, you can choose from a wide variety of vehicles available locally through the Turo mobile app.

On Turo, there are over 1,600+ unique car makes and models to choose from. The exact car you book is the one you’ll get, with delivery options and thousands of pickup locations available (including pickup at over 100 airport parking lots and garages across the US and Canada). Plus, renting a car on Turo is flexible, with long-term bookings of one month or more available.

BMW Z4 rental in United Kingdom on Turo — A luxury convertible brings open-air freedom, responsive handling and refined comfort from the Cotswolds to the Lake District. Find your perfect match on Turo and let the drive steal the show.

Car hire United Kingdom

What is Hiyacar?

Hiyacar is the UK’s longest-running peer-to-peer car sharing platform. Founded in 2014, the platform boasts over 180,000 members and allows renters to book cars directly from local owners by the hour or day via its app.

On Hiyacar, you can access cars via a unique keyless system (called Quickstart), which lets you book, unlock, and start them with your phone. The platform operates solely in the UK, including cities such as London, Bristol, Manchester, and more.

Turo vs Hiyacar: how they compare at a glance

	Turo	Hiyacar
Vehicle selection	1,600+ makes and models; book the exact car you want	Hundreds of car makes and models available to rent
Locations	Available across the UK, US, CA, AU, and France	UK only
Pricing model	Set by individual car owners; varies by vehicle and booking length	Set by individual car owners; varies by vehicle and booking length
Booking process	App or web	App-based
Pick-up/drop-off	Flexible; owner-determined locations, with custom delivery available with some vehicles	Pick up and return to the owner’s specified location; pick-ups available 6 am–10 pm only
Keyless access	Available via some cars	Yes, via Hiyacar QuickStart technology
Rental duration	From days to multiple weeks or months (many owners offer long-term car rentals of one month or more)	Hourly and daily hire; most bookings run for 30 days or less
Minimum age	21 in the UK	21 (with vehicle restrictions for drivers aged 21–24)
Can you take the car abroad?	Yes; some cars can be driven in the EU with owner approval	No, vehicles cannot be taken abroad and must remain in the UK
EV availability	Yes	Yes
iOS/Android app	Yes	Yes

Source note: Data sourced from turo.com and hiyacar.co.uk, accurate as of June 2026. Pricing and availability subject to change; check each platform directly for current details. For Turo trip cost information, see: https://help.turo.com/en_us/trip-costs-Syxm4NeNq

Turo vs Hiyacar: the key differences

Turo and Hiyacar are some of the best alternatives to traditional car rental companies. While both allow you to rent directly from a vehicle owner, there are important differences in each platform’s vehicle selection and where you can drive the car. While Hiyacar operates from major cities across the UK, Turo has a wider geographic reach extending to France, the US, Canada and Australia.

Vehicle selection: browse and book the exact car you want

Turo and Hiyacar allow you to rent cars directly from private owners, rather than being limited to a standard car rental company’s fleet. But there are significant differences in the breadth and scale of cars available for rent on each platform.

On Turo, you can browse and book from over 1,600 unique car makes and models. Each vehicle listing includes detailed information about the vehicle, giving you a clear snapshot of its exact make, model, year, and specifications before you book. You’ll also find plenty of prestigious vehicles available on Turo, including luxury cars and specialty vehicles from brands like Jaguar, Porsche, and BMW.

On Hiyacar, there are hundreds of car makes and models to choose from. On the platform, you can filter by popular car types including electric vehicles, 7-seaters, vans, 4x4s, hatchbacks, convertibles, and even sports cars. While the selection of luxury vehicles is more limited, you will find plenty of vehicles available for city driving, business trips, and even vans for moving cargo and passengers.

Luxury rental cars lined up in front of Big Ben, London — From making an entrance at your wedding to packing up for a family holiday or chasing the open road in a sports car, Turo has the perfect ride to match every milestone, mood and memorable moment.

Pricing and fees

Both Turo and Hiyacar take a similar approach to pricing. On Turo, the cost of renting a car depends on the vehicle type, location, and trip length. Individual car owners set the price, with many offering discounts for longer bookings of one month or more (ideal for anyone looking for a cost-effective alternative to traditional car leasing, with no repair costs to factor in).

On Hiyacar, pricing is also set by private car owners. No deposit is required, and the cost of renting a car depends on the car type, location, and booking length.

Turo car rental listings on a laptop with pricing notes — A savvy traveller knows every pound counts, so compare cars, find a price that fits your budget and take advantage of discounts offered by some Turo hosts on longer bookings.

Pick-up, drop-off, and car access

On Turo, car pick-ups and drop-offs are flexible. When booking a car, simply filter by your preferred location (whether that’s an airport, train station, hotel, or major attraction) and explore cars available to collect nearby. Many owners even offer custom delivery and one-way trips (meaning you can pick up your car in one location and drop it off at another). Plus, car access is flexible: some owners will meet you for an in-person exchange while others will provide instructions for how to access the car using a lockbox or app.

On Hiyacar, pick-ups and drop-offs happen at a specific location set by the car’s owner. Collection and return also need to occur between 6 am and 10 pm only. Car access is handled remotely via QuickStart technology (once installed), allowing you to book, access, and start the car using your phone.

Turo host handing car keys to a renter at pick-up — Why squeeze in an extra stop? Some local Turo hosts can deliver the car to your home, hotel or airport, so you can spend less time collecting keys and more time enjoying the day.

Where you can use each platform

Turo and Hiyacar operate in very different regions, making this one of the biggest differences between the platforms.

On Turo, you can rent cars across the UK, the US, Canada, France, and Australia. In the UK, some cars booked can be driven into the EU with the car owner’s approval.

On the flipside, Hiyacar only operates in the UK. Plus, vehicles cannot be taken abroad or driven into other parts of Europe.

People using the Turo app across the US, UK, France, Australia and Canada — Your favourite driving holiday doesn’t have to end at one border. Book with Turo across the UK, US, Canada, France and Australia, with some UK vehicles able to cross into the EU with host approval.

Rental duration and flexibility

Looking for a more flexible alternative to traditional car leases? Perhaps you need a car while relocating to a new city? Or maybe you want to test-drive your dream car for an extended period before committing to a purchase?

On Turo, there are plenty of cars available for extended bookings of one month or more. There are no minimum booking periods, and bookings can be extended via the Turo app, making it easy to customize the rental duration to suit your needs. Many owners even offer discounts for long-term bookings of one month or more.

On Hiyacar, rental durations are set by the hour or the day. Typically, most car owners allow their car to be booked for up to 30 days at a time, meaning the platform is best suited to short-term bookings.

Couple loading an SUV beside Turo long-term car rental search — Some adventures deserve more than a weekend. Filter by your favourite make or model, settle in for the long haul and enjoy discounts offered by some Turo hosts on extended bookings.

How it works: booking with Turo vs Hiyacar

Booking with Turo

Create a free account on the Turo app or website
Enter your location, dates, and preferred vehicle type
Browse individual car listings and filter by make, model, price, features, and reviews
Add a payment method
Book the exact car you want instantly, or send a booking request
Check what protection plans are available to you
Confirm your identity and enter your valid driver’s licence details

Booking with Hiyacar

Download the Hiyacar app and create an account
Verify your identity by scanning your driver’s licence and taking a selfie (takes around 90 seconds)
Search for available cars near your location
Select a car and submit a booking request for your preferred dates and times
Payment is held on your card and only taken once the car owner accepts your request
Pick up the car at the agreed location, either via key handoff or using Hiyacar QuickStart keyless technology

Which is better for you?

Turo may be the better fit if you…

Want to browse and book the exact car you want, right down to a specific make, model, and specs
Need a car for an extended period (days, weeks, or months) with no minimum booking commitment
Want flexible pick-up options, including delivery to your hotel, home, or a nearby airport
Are planning to travel beyond the UK and need a car you can take into Europe
Are looking for a wider range of vehicle types, including luxury or specialty cars

Hiyacar may be the better fit if you…

Need a car for just a few hours or a day, with flexible hourly hire available
Are based in a UK city where Hiyacar has strong local coverage
Want a fully keyless, contactless rental experience via the Hiyacar QuickStart app
Prefer a platform focused exclusively on the UK market

Tip from the author: Planning a road trip from the UK into Europe? Turo is the stronger option. Some cars booked in the UK can be driven in the EU with the car owner’s approval, something Hiyacar doesn’t currently offer. Check the individual listing and confirm with the owner before your trip.

Frequently asked questions about Turo vs Hiyacar

Is Turo available in the UK?

Yes, Turo is available at many locations across the UK and internationally in France, the US, Canada, and Australia.

What is the difference between Turo and Hiyacar?

Trip length, location availability, and car selection are some of the biggest differences between Turo and Hiyacar. Turo offers greater options when it comes to long-term bookings, a wider range of car makes and models (over 1,600), and operates beyond the UK.

Can I take a Hiyacar vehicle abroad?

No, you typically can’t drive a car rented on Hiyacar abroad. Most owners only allow you to drive vehicles throughout the UK. However, on Turo you can ask the owner for permission to drive the car into the EU.

Which platform has more cars available in the UK?

Both Turo and Hiyacar have thousands of cars available to rent in the UK. To find the exact number of cars available near you, use each platform and filter by location and dates to see vehicles available for rent.

Key takeaways

Turo is a car rental marketplace available across the UK, France, Australia, Canada and the United States. Browse and book the exact car you want from over 1,600 makes and models, with flexible pick-up options available.
Hiyacar is the UK’s longest-running peer-to-peer car sharing platform, best suited to short-term, on-demand hire by the hour or day from local owners across select UK cities
On Turo, you book a specific vehicle with the exact make, model, and specs confirmed upfront, and can access a wider range of vehicles including luxury and specialty cars. Hiyacar’s selection skews towards everyday city and practical vehicles.
Turo operates internationally and allows some UK-booked cars to be driven in the EU with owner approval, whereas Hiyacar is UK-only and vehicles cannot be taken abroad.
For longer bookings, Turo is the more flexible option, with no minimum rental period and long-term bookings of one month or more available, compared to Hiyacar’s typical maximum of 30 days.

Ready to book with Turo in the UK?

Whether you’re after a specific car for a weekend road trip, need flexible pick-up options, or just want to browse something beyond the usual rental fleet, Turo makes it easy to find the right car for your trip. Explore cars available near you and book the exact vehicle you want, on your terms.