- Car rental
- United States
- Carmel
Extraordinary selection
From standard cars to supercars, find the perfect car for any occasion or budget.
Protection plans
Choose from a range of protection plans to get the level of protection that's right for you.*
Easy airport pickup
You can skip the rental counter at 20+ airports across Australia.
Top-rated Carmel rental
Average daily prices for a 3-day trip
Browse Carmel rentals by destination
Three wheels, open sky, and nothing else like it
Drive a Carmel
A Vanderhall Carmel car rental puts you in a hand-built, three-wheeled roadster from Provo, Utah. You get two seats, an open cockpit, and front-wheel drive from a turbocharged four-cylinder. Rent one through Turo's car rental marketplace and you'll sit low in the open air with 194 hp up front.
On Turo, you book the Carmel from a local vehicle owner and arrange pickup to fit your plans. Vanderhall no longer builds the Carmel, and 2024 was its final confirmed model year. Renting is an easy way to try this legacy roadster without buying one.
Carmel specs
Horsepower
194 hp
Acceleration
0-60 mph in 4.5 sec
Top speed
138 mph
Weight
1,595 lbs
Turbocharged punch in a featherweight frame
The Carmel pairs a GM 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder with a body that weighs just 1,595 lbs. That's 194 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, good for 0–60 mph in 4.5 sec (a manufacturer claim). Many trims add a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, so you can pick your own gears when the road opens up.
Three-wheeled design around an aluminum chassis
The Carmel's shape tells you what it is: two front wheels at the corners and a single rear wheel under the tapered tail. A long hood stretches ahead of the open cockpit, and LED lighting sharpens the front end. The wheels measure 18 in or 19 in, depending on trim.
Rear-hinged doors close you into the cockpit and give the open-air layout a more finished feel. Underneath it all, Vanderhall built each Carmel by hand around an aluminum chassis. The result looks like a vintage racer — expect a few photos from strangers at the gas station.
Heated seats and a cabin made for two
The Carmel seats two, and it's more comfortable than its open-air look suggests. Heated seats and a heater take the edge off cool mornings and breezy coastal evenings, while cruise control eases longer highway stretches. Bluetooth keeps your playlist and calls connected.
You'll grip a wood-trimmed steering wheel and settle into V-Tex or leather upholstery, depending on trim — a classic touch in a modern cockpit. A removable soft roof gives you shade when the sun turns intense. Take it off when you want nothing but sky overhead.
Stand out with a Carmel
The Carmel turns any weekend into an event, whether you're cruising a coastal highway or arriving at a special occasion. Expect double takes at every stoplight. It's a legacy model, so a rental is a rare way in — and you'll find more classic and specialty cars on Turo.
Top Carmel features
Hand-built heritage from Provo, Utah
Three things set the Carmel apart: its hand-built heritage, a four-trim lineup, and confidence-building brakes and handling tech.
Every Carmel came out of Provo, Utah, where Vanderhall built each one by hand. The roadster debuted in 2019 and wraps its frame in a composite body. That small-shop, hand-assembled approach gives the Carmel a character you won't find on a mass-production line.
Vanderhall now lists the Carmel as a legacy model, and 2024 is its final confirmed model year. That makes each one a small piece of American roadster history. A rental lets you drive that history for a weekend without hunting one down to buy.
Four trims: Blackjack, Carmel, GT, and GTS
The Carmel came in four trims: Blackjack, Carmel, GT, and GTS. Blackjack wears matte black and rolls on 18-in wheels, while the other trims ride on 19-in wheels. Each one keeps the same three-wheeled layout and turbocharged heart.
Higher trims step up to leather upholstery and add boost and gear-position gauges, so you can watch the turbo work as you drive. Check the listing for the year and trim before you book. It shapes the cabin you'll sit in and the details you'll see on the dash.
Four-piston brakes, ABS, and traction control
Quick acceleration calls for strong stopping power, and the Carmel brings four-piston brakes backed by ABS. ABS helps prevent wheel lockup during hard stops, so you keep steering control when you need it most.
Traction control helps manage wheelspin when you accelerate hard out of a corner or away from a light. Electric power steering keeps the wheel light at low speeds, which makes parking and tight turns easier. Together, these systems let you enjoy the Carmel's pace with more confidence — especially if it's your first time on three wheels.
Others Vanderhall models
Other popular models
Top tips and things to know before renting a Carmel
Get to know your Carmel
A little prep makes a Carmel trip smoother — here's what to check before you go.
Start by checking the year and trim on the listing, since equipment varies by trim. Three wheels and an open cockpit change how the Carmel feels. You'll notice the road, the wind, and the weather more than in a typical car.
It seats two with limited storage, so pack light. Want a little more trunk space or a fourth wheel? Browse open-air convertible rentals or sports car rentals on Turo.
Carmel driving tips
Run through these checks before you set off:
Check your state's licensing and helmet requirements for three-wheeled vehicles — rules vary by state. Dress for open air with layers, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Review the distance included with your trip before you plan a long route. Learn the paddle shifters and controls before you pull away.
How much does it cost to rent a Carmel?
The cost to rent a Carmel depends on the model year, trip length, any Extras you add, and delivery. Book four or more days ahead and you can take 10% off with a non-refundable trip.
Duration discounts unlock at three days, one week, and one month. Trips of 30 days or more carry no trip fee, except in parts of Los Angeles and New York. See how long-term car rental works on Turo.
Turo car rental vs. traditional rental
Turo Car rental
App-based experience
No waiting in line
1,600+ unique makes & models
Get the exact car you choose
Delivery options & thousands of pickup locations
Cars rented out by local small businesses
Vehicles and hosts rated by guests
Traditional rental
Standard rental counter experience
Waiting in line
Limited selection
Get a type of vehicle “or similar”
Pickup at retail locations
Owned by large corporations
No vehicle ratings
Skip the rental car counter
On the Turo car rental marketplace, you can rent the perfect car for wherever you’re going from a vibrant community of trusted hosts. Whether you're flying in from afar or looking for a car down the street, searching for a rugged truck or something smooth and swanky, Turo puts you in the driver's seat of an extraordinary selection of cars rented out by local hosts.Frequently asked questions about Carmel rentals on Turo
What documents do you need to rent a Vanderhall Carmel on Turo?
You need a physical, valid driver's license to rent a Carmel. At check-in, you'll take photos of your license and a selfie. Turo doesn't accept digital licenses, photocopies, or learner's permits.
What license do you need to drive a Carmel?
It depends on your state. The federal government classifies the Carmel as a three-wheeled motorcycle, and many states treat it as an autocycle you can drive with a standard license. Rules vary by state, so check your state's requirements before you book.
How old do you need to be to rent a Carmel?
Your minimum age depends on the vehicle's class. You'll need to be 21+ for vehicles worth more than $20,000, 25+ for Deluxe Class, and 30+ for Classic or Specialty. Check the Carmel listing to see which applies.
Do you need insurance to rent a Carmel on Turo?
No — you don't need your own insurance to book a Carmel on Turo. You'll choose a protection plan at checkout.
Are there discounts on Carmel rentals?
Yes. Book a Carmel four or more days ahead to take 10% off with a non-refundable trip. Duration discounts also unlock at three days, one week, and one month.
Can you rent a Carmel long term?
Yes, if the listing allows it. Carmel trips of 30 days or more carry no trip fee, except in parts of Los Angeles and New York.
Do Carmel rentals come with unlimited mileage?
It depends on the listing. Some Carmel listings include unlimited mileage, some offer it as an Extra, and others set a distance limit — check before you book.
Can someone else drive the Carmel?
Yes, once they're approved as an additional driver. Add them in the Turo app before they take the wheel of the Carmel.
Is the Vanderhall Carmel street legal?
Yes. The Carmel is registered for road use as a three-wheeled vehicle. Classification and licensing rules vary by state, so check your state's requirements before you drive.
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. In the US, liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance for trips in the US, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site. When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but the Turo insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.