Cars
Showing all 11 results
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23 $ / DayHonda City 2024-2026
- Class: Sedan B+
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.0 Turbo or 1.5 Hybrid
- Fuel consumption: ~4.5-6.5 L/100 km
The Honda City comes in two versions. The 1.0 litre VTEC Turbo produces 122 horsepower with strong pull from low revs, which makes overtaking on Route 402 easy. The 1.5 litre e:HEV hybrid runs on electric drive much of the time in town, so fuel use drops to about 4.5 to 5 litres per 100 km and the cabin stays silent in traffic. Tell us which one you prefer when booking.
Both versions share the same body and the same practical strengths. The boot holds about 506 litres, the largest of any compact sedan in our fleet, bigger than the Yaris ATIV and the Vios.
Honda cabins also offer more rear legroom than their Toyota rivals of the same class, which you notice on longer trips across the island.
Compared with the Toyota Corolla Altis, the Altis is larger and softer on poor tarmac while the City is easier to park. Compared with the Yaris ATIV, the City is quicker and roomier.
There are ISOFIX anchors in the rear. Fuel is ordinary Gasohol 95 and the hybrid never needs plugging in.
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23 $ / DayHonda Civic 2020-2024
- Class: Sedan C-class
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.5 VTEC Turbo
- Fuel consumption: ~6.5-7.0 L/100 km
The eleventh generation Civic is a different car from the 2020 version. The 1.5 litre turbo engine is both more powerful and more economical than the older naturally aspirated unit, and the interior has been completely redesigned with a digital instrument panel, a large media screen and clearly better materials.
For a rental that means you get an almost premium level of comfort while using about 6.5 to 7 litres per 100 km, which is close to the Honda City RS. On the highway the Civic 2024 is smooth and quiet, and overtaking needs no engine drama thanks to the turbocharger.
The boot of about 519 litres is the maximum among the sedans on this list.
What to compare it with: the Toyota Camry 2022 is larger and softer but also more noticeable to park, while the Corolla Altis 2023 is more economical thanks to its hybrid system but behind the Civic on performance and interior quality. The Honda Sensing package with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping is included.
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Hybrid
45 $ / DayToyota Camry 2022
- Hybrid
- Class: Executive sedan, hybrid
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 2.5 Hybrid
- Fuel consumption: ~5.5-6.0 L/100 km
The Camry is the most comfortable car in the fleet and probably the best option for transfers and for driving with guests. A long wheelbase gives rear passengers space that no other sedan here can match. An adult of 190 cm sits behind without complaint.
The 2.5 litre hybrid system is a rare combination: acceleration is confident while fuel use is about 5.5 to 6 litres per 100 km, less than the compact Honda City. When the car is standing with the air conditioning running, the petrol engine switches off and the cabin is completely silent.
Sound insulation is a separate argument. On the road from Patong to the airport the difference against any B class car is physical. In the Camry you can hold a conversation without raising your voice.
There is one limitation: size. At over 4.8 metres long the car needs attention on narrow streets in Phuket Town and in tight beach car parks. If motion sickness is an issue for your passengers, the long wheelbase and soft suspension make this the smoothest car here.
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Hybrid
25 $ / DayToyota Corolla Altis 2023
- Hybrid
- Class: Sedan C-class, hybrid
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.8 Hybrid
- Fuel consumption: ~4.5-5.0 L/100 km
The most economical car in the fleet. The Toyota hybrid system works in ideal conditions at Phuket town speeds. In Patong traffic the car spends a large part of the time on electric drive with the petrol engine switched off completely. Real fuel use comes out at about 4.5 to 5 litres per 100 km, roughly half of a Fortuner and a quarter less than a Honda City.
The second effect of the hybrid is often underrated: silence. Sitting in traffic on Bangla Road with the air conditioning running, you hear no engine at all. After a week on the island that feels like a separate luxury.
The Altis is larger than the City and the Yaris ATIV: more rear legroom, softer suspension and more stability on the highway. The boot of about 470 litres is barely affected by the hybrid battery.
Fuel is ordinary Gasohol 95 and the hybrid never needs plugging in.
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29 $ / Day
Toyota Corolla Altis GR Sport 2023
- Class: Sedan C-class, hybrid sport
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.8 Hybrid
- Fuel consumption: ~4.5-5.0 L/100 km
GR Sport is the version of the Corolla Altis developed with the involvement of Toyota Gazoo Racing, the company motorsport division. Visually it means an aggressive front bumper, a black grille, 18 inch wheels and model specific badges. Technically it means revised suspension, a stiffer body and more communicative steering.
The important part is that the sporty character does not cancel out hybrid economy. You get about 4.5 to 5 litres per 100 km, the best figure in the fleet, in a car that is genuinely interesting on the winding roads towards Mai Khao and Promthep Cape.
Compared with the standard Altis 2023: that car is softer and more comfortable on broken tarmac, while the GR Sport is tighter and more precise in corners but firmer over bumps. Compared with the Honda City RS 2024: the City RS is smaller, easier to park and cheaper, but clearly behind on cabin quietness and on fuel use.
The brakes and tyres are chosen for more active driving, which is a real safety margin on wet roads in the rainy season. Fuel is ordinary Gasohol 95 and no charging is required.
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Hybrid
30 $ / DayToyota Corolla Cross 2023
- Hybrid
- Class: Compact SUV, hybrid
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.8 Hybrid
- Fuel consumption: ~5.0-5.5 L/100 km
The Corolla Cross solves the main problem of every sedan in Phuket: ground clearance. Roads to the less touristic beaches, such as Ao Sane, Laem Ka and some approaches to Mai Khao, are partly unpaved and broken, and in the rainy season deep puddles and washouts appear. In a crossover you drive there calmly. In a low Civic you drive there nervously.
At the same time the Corolla Cross is a hybrid and uses about 5 to 5.5 litres per 100 km. That is less than any non hybrid sedan in the fleet, including the compact Yaris. This combination of capability and economy is unique on this list.
The seating position is higher than in a sedan. Visibility is better and getting in and out is easier, which matters for older passengers and for anyone travelling with a child seat.
The boot of about 440 litres has a flat floor with the rear seats folded, so surfboards or diving equipment fit. ISOFIX anchors are fitted and the high seating makes installing a child seat much easier.
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Diesel
50 $ / DayToyota Fortuner 2021-2024
- Diesel
- Class: Body-on-frame SUV
- Seats: 7
- Engine: 2.8 diesel
- Fuel consumption: ~9.0-10.0 L/100 km
The 2024 Fortuner is the updated version with a stronger diesel engine and a revised media system. For a rental the age of the car matters most: in the rainy season, working suspension, brakes and tyres on a heavy vehicle count for more than on a light sedan.
What the Fortuner offers that nothing else here does: seven full seats, high ground clearance and a large reserve of diesel torque. The climb to the Big Buddha with a full load, a descent to a remote beach, a trip to the north of the island on a broken road are all situations where a Civic or a Camry feels poor and the Fortuner does not notice.
Be realistic about fuel: about 9 to 10 litres per 100 km. This is the thirstiest category in the fleet, roughly twice the hybrid Altis and Camry. Diesel fuel in Thailand is cheaper than petrol, which partly offsets the difference.
Check the drivetrain version when booking. For Phuket roads two wheel drive is enough in most cases.
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Diesel
41 $ / DayToyota Hilux 2022
- Diesel
- Class: Pickup
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 2.4 diesel
- Fuel consumption: ~8.5-9.5 L/100 km
The key difference from the Fortuner is the open cargo bed instead of a third row of seats. This is a completely different use case: surfboards, suitcases, bulky items and wet diving gear, in other words everything you would rather not carry inside the cabin. The cargo bed can be washed out with a hose.
The Hilux has the same off road ability as the Fortuner. It offers high ground clearance, ladder frame construction and a diesel engine with strong torque. Descents to beaches and climbs to hill villas are routine for this vehicle.
Fuel use is about 8.5 to 9.5 litres per 100 km, slightly less than the Fortuner because the Hilux is lighter.
Please note that the cargo bed is open to the weather. If you carry items that must stay dry, bring a cover or waterproof bags, because rain in Phuket can start within five minutes.
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Hybrid
20 $ / DayToyota Vios 2020
- Hybrid
- Class: Compact sedan
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.5 petrol
- Fuel consumption: ~6.5-7.0 L/100 km
The Vios is a workhorse of Thai roads.
The main difference from the Yaris ATIV is the engine: 1.5 litres instead of 1.2. On paper the gap is small. On the climb to Karon View Point with four passengers and luggage you feel it clearly. The Vios pulls more confidently and the transmission is less noisy. You pay for this with about half a litre more fuel per 100 km.
The boot of roughly 475 litres is a proper family size: two large suitcases plus hand luggage.
The air conditioning deserves a separate note. It is powerful and built for Thai taxi duty, which means all day operation without a break. A cabin that has been standing in the sun cools down in a few minutes. White paint is the most common colour here for a reason: less heat inside and better visibility in traffic at dusk.
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Hybrid
21 $ / DayToyota Yaris 2021-2025
- Hybrid
- Class: Compact hatchback
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.2 petrol
- Fuel consumption: ~5.5-6.0 L/100 km
The 2025 Yaris is the most economical non hybrid car in the fleet. The updated version has a new media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That matters in Phuket, because you will use Google Maps constantly. Many turns towards beaches and villas are impossible to find without navigation.
The main difference from the 2021 Yaris is the condition of the car and a more modern set of driver assistance features. If you want to be sure the car is new and has not been worn down by a busy rental season, the gap between 2021 and 2025 is easy to feel.
White paint and low weight give another practical benefit. The car heats up more slowly, and the light body copes well with mountain roads such as the climb to Karon View Point. The 1.2 litre engine is enough for two people. With four passengers on steep hills the transmission works noticeably harder, and in that case the Honda City with its turbo engine is worth a look.
A rear camera is fitted, which is not a luxury here. You often reverse into narrow gaps between motorbikes.
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Hybrid
20 $ / DayToyota Yaris ATIV 2021-2025
- Hybrid
- Class: Compact sedan
- Seats: 5
- Engine: 1.2 petrol
- Fuel consumption: ~5.5-6.0 L/100 km
The newest version of the compact sedan, and probably the best balance of fuel use, boot space and running cost in the whole fleet. The updated ATIV has a modern media system with wireless Apple CarPlay, a rear camera and a quieter cabin than the 2021 car.
What that means in practice: navigation in Phuket depends on your phone, and the rear camera turns reversing into a narrow space next to a restaurant from a stressful moment into a routine one. A newer car also means air conditioning in good condition and fresh tyres, which matters for safety on wet roads in the rainy season.
On fuel use only the hybrids, the Corolla Altis and the Corolla Cross, do better. But those cars cost more to rent and are larger. If the goal is simply to drive cheaply and park easily, the ATIV is the more sensible choice.
Against the Honda City 2024: the City accelerates faster thanks to its turbo engine and feels better on long climbs with a full load. The ATIV is simpler, cheaper to run and calmer to drive.
