Buyer’s Guide: Take an Extended Test Drive

According to research conducted by Cox Automotive Research & Market Intelligence, people typically spend over 9 hours researching vehicles and shopping online for a suitable vehicle.  However, learning what different cars have to offer is only the beginning. To truly determine whether a car can meet your needs, you should always aim to spend some time inside of it to test it out first-hand. 

That's where a test drive comes in. Like a first date, a typical test drive only gives you a limited amount of information about a vehicle. It takes hours – not just a few minutes – to decide if the seats are comfortable enough or if the handling leaves something to be desired.

One of the best ways to really get to know a car is to take an extended test drive. It's a great way to spend time learning about all the bells and whistles - and it's the most fun you’ll ever have conducting car-buying research.

Renting a Car for an Extended Test Drive

Once you’ve narrowed your choice down to two or three vehicles that have ticked your list, spend some quality time with each car. One of the most effective ways to do this is by renting a car to experience an extended test drive. This may cost you some money upfront, but it could save you from buying a car that won't meet your needs in the long run.

Even if the specific trim level is different in the rental compared to the car you want to buy, you can still experience how the vehicle handles and performs for different types of driving. The specifics, like color, fabric vs. leather seats, and other optional features, don't matter on a test drive. Focus on what the car delivers in terms of comfort and performance.

If your weekday and weekend driving habits are different, make sure your rental time includes both types of days.

Things to consider during a test drive

On a standard test drive, you only have enough time to decide if the car handles well under limited circumstances. Take advantage of an extended test drive to dive deeper into the car's features. Play with the interface of the entertainment system, assessing the placement and ease of use of the controls for features like cruise control and the stereo.

Create a checklist of things that are important to you and use and evaluate those features in each car. Some important things to consider include:

• Noise: Listen for the level of road noise in the car while driving. Does road noise make it difficult to carry on a conversation with others in the car or to hear the radio? Even at low speeds, is the engine too loud for you?
• Adjustability: Can you customize settings to make the seats and other features comfortable? Take into consideration the seat angle and height, cup holder and armrest positioning, as well as the fit of the seat belt. Taking a car for a long drive can reveal design features that could move a vehicle to the top or bottom of your list.
• Safety: Do you feel secure in the car? Does the vehicle feel solid with smooth movement, particularly at cruising speed on the highway? It’s essential that you feel safe in your car. Checking safety ratings is important, but you also need to feel personally secure in the vehicle.
• Power: The trick is to get enough power to do the job but not so much that you feel out of control or burn fuel needlessly. Does the vehicle make it up steep hills without feeling like it's struggling? Some drivers are content with 140 horsepower, while others would never consider anything less than 200. If you don't have a preference, then factor in fuel efficiency, and choose the smallest engine that effectively handles the job.

As you spend more time driving a rental, you'll develop a better idea of how well the vehicle suits you. This will help you determine whether the car in question is suitable for your lifestyle and driving demands. After all, the last thing you want is to be stuck with a car that struggles to meet your needs. Test drive a car of your choice with Hertz car hire today.

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