Renting a 4R - Who?

So I will be in Miami for a few days, and need a rental. What car rental places rent out 4Runners? I KNOW I saw them at the Miami airport car rental lot the last time I was in Miami (April 2024), but had no idea what rental place they belonged to. Besides painstakingly calling each and every car rental place in Miami, does anybody here know?

 

Available inventory is probably going to be in flux at any given moment, I can’t speak for Miami but I’ve seen one as an option from Avis on my trip to a completely different city so the 4Runner is at least in their fleet somewhere.

But I hope a better answer shows up.

Edit: You're able to rent specific vehicles with Turo which runs on an Uber/Airbnb-esque business model. It can work but like Airbnb, YMMV. I tried it once in an attempt to save money putzing around in a decade-old Versa Note but it wasn't worth it. Car was mostly fine, dealing with an unknown host and hashing out returning car, paying for transportation to/from drop-off, etc. ate up the savings. But for a specific vehicle, sure.

 

All of my rental agency experience is pre-pandemic, so there is that. I was a road warrior back then, and even with the status that came with frequent travels, I despised the car rental companies. If I could find a way to not drive myself, I would take that option instead.

Any of the majors (Hertz, Avis, etc) will have 4 runners in their fleet. But, rather you can rent one on your dates where you want it is another question entirely. You don't need to call them, look up their websites and check into what is available. A good starting place to find rental agencies is via the Miami airport website.

You aren't likely to be able to specify a 4 runner, more than likely what you will see is an option for a full size SUV. What car that actually ends up being may or may not be a 4 runner. They may provide a Highlander, or GM, or Ford... no guarantees there. And even then, most of them view that as more of a suggestion and may try to put you in a Prius when you show up. (A long time ago, I had insurance provide a rental while a suburban was being repaired. The rental company tried to provide a coupe. When I objected to that, they put me in a minivan).

I haven't personally used them, but in places like Miami, LA, Vegas, etc there are rental companies that specialize in renting out more exotic cars, and my understanding is that you can specify exactly what you want with them. Do they have something as mundane as a 4runner in their fleet? no clue.

Good luck.

[edit] I've never tried to use it, but I think some Toyota dealers can offer rentals? I've always assumed that was for use while you had something in for repair, but maybe that is an option if you are dead set on a 4runner?

 

^This.

My wife and I rented from Toyota this past summer on a trip to N.C. and it was a very easy experience. She is interested in a RAV4 if/when we finally give up on her RX330 so we thought it would be an opportunity to drive one on a longer term than a test drive. I don't think you can specify trim level but they put us in a high level (marketing ploy, I suspect) but we were able to specify a hybrid vs gas. Unlimited mileage and overall it was cheaper than using a rental agency. We had it 5 days and I don't recall if they had a minimum, but I don't think think so. You do have to get yourself to the dealer and back. We did Uber/Lyft.
I suspect the program is mostly a marketing tool so I imagine they don't rent 5th gens and not sure if they have enough 6th gens on the lots yet to relegate one to rental/demo status, but it's certainly worth checking into.

 

https://floridatoyotarental.com/toyota-4runner/

https://www.championautorental.com/english/rent-toyota-4runner-7-passenger.aspx

https://www.westkendalltoyota.com/service/toyota-rent-a-car/

 

When I go to Miami I use AVIS & they were in the parking garage. My Co. won't pay for one & I could've ate the extra $$, just not worth it for my business down there & Have one @ home, plus they have A LOT of BAD drivers down there & that is enough to take what Co. pays for.

 

There’s always turo

 

Not a single one on Turo when I checked. So not an option unfortunately.

 

Before settling on which model I wanted I rented from Avis.

 

I use National when I travel for business. Join their Emerald Isle, you take your pick of what’s on the lot, hop it and drive to the exit booth.

 

I’d get something else than what I have.

 

I’m not “old” but last time I did that they gave me a 2024 Escalade, and I literally did not know how to change the radio station or adjust any of the climate controls lol. It was the first time in my life I felt like my parents

The other time they gave me an Equinox and as fine as an auto an equinox may be, it’s not my cup of tea.

Would rather stick with what I’m comfortable with.

 

Update: Success!! Enterprise had ONE 4Runner left- a red SR5 2wd base model, and I mean BASE lol.
No navigation, no moonroof… 14,500 miles. Either way, I’m just super stoked to have found one, and it was a “free upgrade” so I got it for $44 a day. Thanks everyone!

 

If your drive a 4runner. Why would you want to rent one. Try something different lol.

 

A couple years ago, even before I got my own T4R, wifey and I rented a vehicle from Hertz to drive to New Mexico. Wifey had RESERVED a sedan ahead of time, ie. Camry, Accord, etc.

Come time to go pick up the rental, they were out of those size of cars. The girl offered us some little piss ant vehicle, I forget now what it was. Some little Ford I think. I was pissed.

Lo and behold, a lady pulls in, I saw her pull in and I overheard part of her conversation next to us at the customer counter desk. Here she was returning a 4Runner, turns out it was a Limited model.

I immediately interrupted and spoke up- why can’t we rent that 4Runner? So the Hertz girl said there’s no reason why you can’t, but we’ll need time to wash it and clean it. I said OK fine but I want it at the sedan rent rate since you didn’t hold a car for us. Lol! She gave us a free upgrade.

We had to wait over an hour for them to check and clean the T4R, but it was worth it. We drove round trip to New Mexico from Austin, in style. The Limited T4R was flawless. …..spent a bit more on fuel than what a Camry would have perhaps, but oh well. Lol!