Perhaps you are visiting family, on a holiday or maybe you just want to explore parts of the city in a luxury electric vehicle. Either way, this guide will cover everything you need to know when it comes to renting a car in Southampton.

How much does car rental in Southampton cost?

This depends greatly on the type of car you wish to hire. Our range of electric vehicles starts at £60/Day going up to £225/Day for a Tesla Model X (Excluding insurance and VAT). Whilst this is the price/day, discounts are usually given for longer rental periods.

Electric cars vs Petrol cars

Here at Volt-Age, we recommend renting electric vehicles. Not only are they extremely fun and easy to drive, but are reliable and efficient, offering great value for money.

With rising petrol prices, the additional costs of refuelling a petrol vehicle can account for a 100% increase on the original hire price.

On the other hand, there are hundreds of free charging ports for electric cars across Southampton found in shopping centres, supermarkets, hotels and car parks.

Additionally, electric vehicles are perfect for city centres with no congestion charges and offer easy mobility and parking.

Which car model should I choose?

With thousands of rental cars on the market in Southampton, it can be hard to choose a model. It depends greatly on your budget, party size and the experience you’re looking for. However, here are 3 different picks tailored to whatever experience you’re seeking in the city of Southampton:

BMW I3 The perfect inner-city compact, the BMW i3 and its sporty sister the I3s are perfect choices for Southampton’s streets. Key features include one pedal driving which allows you to accelerate and decelerate with a single movement and fancy connectivity features that allow for hands-free music and navigation.

MG ZS: If size and space are what you’re after, look no further than the MG ZS. You can easily fit 5, fully grown adults in the vehicle with plenty of leg room. Additionally, the 470 litres of boot space can come in handy for transporting luggage around Hampshire. Key features include a panoramic sunroof, perfect for the hot summer months and a large 44.5kWh battery that can last 163 miles.

Tesla Model S: The Model S is undoubtedly one of the most stylish and most exhilarating electric sports cars on the market. If performance is what you’re after, then the Model S is the way to go. It can accelerate from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and packs an industry leading battery range of 350 miles.

Requirements

Again this varies from vehicle to vehicle, and you can find a full list of FAQs here. However minimum requirements usually include:

Full UK Driving Licence – That has been held and clean for at least 2 years.

Minimum age – In the UK, most car rental providers require drivers to be at least 25 years of age. Whilst this is not the case with all companies, younger drivers are likely to occur additional fees.

Damage excess deposit - You will need to be able to cover the deposit for damage to the vehicle. You will get this back once you return the vehicle, however, this can range anywhere from £500 to £4000 depending on the car.

Tips for hiring a car in Southampton

There are a few things you can do to make your rental experience as smooth as possible.

Browse rental car options beforehand. This way you know what you want as soon as you arrive at the dealership. It is also worth booking beforehand to make sure your preferred car model is available on the date you wish to hire it.

Use a GPS. Southampton can be a busy city by car, if you’re new to the area, we recommend bringing your own GPS or picking a car with a navigation system built-in.

Places to visit

When hiring a car in Southampton, there are lots of cool and interesting places to explore by car. You can take a trip around the famous harbour, or visit one of the many nearby beaches such as the national favourite Bournemouth beach or the stunning Durdle Door beach.

Southampton is also a very historical city with both the Solent Sky Museum and the SeaCity Museum being very popular tourist attractions. Both can be accessed easily by car with city car parks and street parking available. Additionally, there are plenty of historical points of interest that you can view for free such as the Town Walls and Bargate.

Finally, if you’re interested in sports, look no further than St. Mary’s stadium, home of Premier League side Southampton F.C. Or alternatively, the newly developed Ageas Bowl, home of Hampshire cricket.

Final Thoughts

Southampton is a beautiful city to explore independently. Unfortunately, not everything is accessible within walking distance which is why it makes perfect sense to hire a vehicle. Choosing an electric vehicle is becoming an increasingly popular decision, they are fun and easy to drive, incredibly efficient and environmentally friendly, possess the latest hands-free technology and are able to save you hundreds of pounds on petrol. You can explore our extensive range of electric vehicles available to hire in Southampton here.

The Volt-Age Guide to Hiring a Car in Southampton