I tried the Airbnb for cars and here’s my honest review

I have to admit, I hadn't heard of Turo before I was assigned to this review. As a perpetual traveller who has hired numerous cars through rental companies, I was intrigued to learn of an alternative.

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For those who aren't aware, Turo is a car-sharing app that operates similarly to Airbnb and is positioned as an alternative to rental car companies. Given the cost and frustration that often come with renting a car at an airport, it's a proposition that seems appealing.

I carried out this review as a legitimate customer. That meant choosing the location, booking the car, and conversing with the host – essentially experiencing the process from start to finish.

My destination was Far North Queensland, flying in and out of Cairns. With limited options in this location for the required date, I booked a Tesla Model 3, which in hindsight wasn't the smartest decision given the final destination was pretty remote.

Besides the hiccups I endured with charging stations, here's an honest account of my experience.

Turo launched in Australia in November 2022. Established in Boston in 2010, the company was initially known as RelayRides.

In November 2015, RelayRides changed its name to Turo – reflecting a shift from short-term to long-term rentals. As well as Australia, Turo operates in the UK, America, and Canada.

As you'd expect with services like Uber, Turo users in regional locations will likely have limited availability. For example, when searching in Melbourne for the middle of October, there are nearly 200 options, while just one vehicle is listed when the search is altered to Ararat, Victoria.

This doesn't present as a major issue, as it seems that a majority of Turo users are engaging with the app when arriving in a major city, before heading off on their journey.

From November 2022 to September 2023, the Turo app has been downloaded more than 94,000 times.

As of March 31, 2023, Turo has over 165,000 active hosts with 330,000 active vehicles, and 3.1 million active guests worldwide participating in our marketplace.

Users can book a car online via the Turo website or by downloading the app on a smartphone.

It works similarly to Airbnb in that you search for the desired date and destination, and available vehicles are generated. Once the booking is submitted, you're connected with your host and can converse with them in the lead-up to, and throughout, the booking period.

Unlike hiring a car through a rental company, the Turo user can align their car pick-up and drop-off to suit their schedule. This also allows the user to ask any questions about the car.

A user can book a car for hours at a time, however, will still be charged the daily rate.

Similar to Airbnb, the booking duration can be dependent on the host. However, the average Turo user reserves a car for four days.

My host was waiting for me at the airport when I landed on my flight, and even though I've piloted various Teslas in my time, I still asked for a short walkthrough. More details on this are in my verdict below.

It depends on the vehicle you're after, but Turo isn't necessarily cheaper than traditional rental companies. It does, however, offer a bigger range of cars across a broader scope of locations.

Turo's prices are set by hosts, and different prices can be set for different days, although Turo provides guidance to hosts on how to offer competitive pricing.

A trip can start and end at the time the host and user agree on; however, the smallest unit the host will charge is a day.

Let's break it down, starting with my Tesla Model 3 booking. The total of my booking was $843.74 for a two-night rental, including tax. The car itself costs $590 for the booking period, while the standard protection plan costs $177 in total, or $88.50 per day.

The remainder of the charge included a trip fee ($26.84 per day), which is essentially a delivery fee for the vehicle to your location. I booked the car from a Wednesday to Friday in August.

Comparing costs wasn't easy, as many rental car companies don't offer the Model 3 – let alone in a location like Cairns. Budget doesn't have a fleet of electric cars, while Hertz and Avis only offer a Model Y, not a Model 3.

I located a Tesla Model 3 via the rental company Sixt. Unfortunately, availability was limited as specific areas only allow a minimum of three months rental on the car, so I couldn't make the comparison with a hire in Cairns and used Sydney Airport instead.

I managed to locate a Tesla Model 3 in Sydney, priced at $139 a day, with a $110 pick-up fee and $5 trip fee. In this instance, Turo works out slightly more expensive than Sixt.

Turo also requires users to refill the tank or recharge the car's battery to the same level it was at check-in.

Prices accurate at time of comparison, but subject to change.

As a head-to-head comparison of a non-electric vehicle in another major city, I investigated the prices of renting a 2023 Kia Carnival through Hertz Car Rental and Turo.

I selected a Wednesday to Friday in October, using Melbourne Airport as the pick-up and drop-off location.

Booked with Turo, the total daily cost is $234.64. All costs have been broken down below. Oddly, the host added both a trip fee and a pick-up fee for the booking and an early bird discount of $14.20. It's worth mentioning that Turo doesn't require a bond for its vehicles.

Hertz offered the same vehicle for $401.16 per day during the same period at the same location. Optional high-level insurance will set you back $26.99 per day, while a bond payment of around $500 is also required at pick-up.

In this instance, Turo was much more cost-efficient.

Both Turo and Hertz require the user to refill the vehicle's tank upon return.

Like any rental, whether it's a holiday house or car, there can be some risk involved when using Turo.

I've spent some time reading Turo reviews. The majority are positive, while other users have endured a terrible experience, including dirty cars, accusations of damage, and so on.

As a user, we advise you to take photos of the vehicle as soon as you pick it up, and that's even before you drive away. This acts as a time stamp of proof to record any damage to the car. We also encourage you to send these directly to the host or ask them to show you any scuffs or damage on the vehicle before you head off.

If you're unfamiliar with the car, ask questions. The beauty of this app is that you get the opportunity to be guided through the car – something you don't receive when hiring from a rental car company.

Keep in mind that you're responsible for someone else's property, so treat it as you would your own car, and be respectful of the vehicle. That means returning it clean and with a sufficient amount of range or fuel.

My host revealed that, thankfully, he hadn't had any bad experiences with hiring out his vehicle. He's already supported about 30 guest trips across his three Turo cars (the Tesla Model 3, plus a BMW X5 and a Volkswagen Golf), and all of his Turo exchanges have been incident-free.

I personally had a great experience with my host. See more details of this in my verdict below.

Turo has a range of vehicles, from electric cars and people movers to small passenger and luxury cars. The type of car depends on the location and availability.

Some of the most popular vehicles include the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Ford Mustang, Audi Q5, and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Creating a search for Brisbane for a week in October, we found a range of vehicles – new and old. This included a 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo, a 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a 2022 Ford Mustang, to name a few.

Meanwhile, in Perth there's currently a 2023 Polestar 2, a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, and several new Audi Q5s up for grabs.

All protection plans through Turo include protection for theft, loss, or damage to the host's vehicle, provided by Turo Travels Mutual. When booking a car on Turo, there are three levels of coverage: Premier, Standard, or Minimum.

The protection cost is dependent on the vehicle. For example, for the Tesla Model 3 that I hired for three days, the charge was $177. I selected the highest coverage option available.

Premier (most expensive) means no out-of-pocket costs for vehicle damage or theft.

However, the Premier plan is unavailable for trips booked fewer than two days in advance, trips shorter than three days, or trips in vehicles with a total market value of more than $55,000. 

Every booking on Turo comes standard with $20,000,000 in legal liability protection for third-party property damage and 24/7 roadside assistance.

If a host's vehicle is damaged on your trip,  you can file a damage report and Turo will notify the host to respond. If your host reports damage, they'll choose a resolution path, which might mean they'll work with you directly or file a claim for Turo to manage.

Turo will then send the guest a damage report, notify the guest of their resolution choice, and ask the guest to respond. The host might resolve damage directly with the user, in which case the user can agree to do so or dispute the request.

For hosts, Turo offers mutual damage protection for vehicles on the platform when booked. Their deductible in the event of an accident is $1200.

To list your car on Turo, go to the website and select Become a Host. You'll need to create an account and provide personal details, including your name and location.

To complete the profile, you'll need to submit photos of your vehicle. To qualify, your car must be registered, and meet all state or territory legal requirements, plus you'll be required to provide proof of compulsory third-party insurance.

Turo thoroughly checks registration details before setting up a call with a potential host. The company requires all new hosts to conduct an orientation phone call with the Turo onboarding team.

During this call, Turo helps explain hosting best practices and pitfalls to avoid. This 15-minute call is mandatory for all new hosts in Australia.

Turo hosts must only complete one call, regardless of the number of cars they're listing. Once verified, the approval can be made on the spot. Note that all vehicles must be in good condition, no more than 10 years old, and have fewer than 200,000km on the odometer.

Turo says it "constantly monitors host performance, host ratings, and reviews". If a host falls below Turo's standards, Turo will warn the host, giving them a chance to improve. Hosts who consistently fall below Turo standards are subject to removal from the marketplace.

As mentioned, I hadn't heard of Turo before I undertook this review, which is surprising given how popular it apparently is in the US.

What seemed appealing to me was the fact that I didn't have to think about the hassle of going to a rental car desk at the airport. Personally, I find this experience rather annoying after a flight, especially at chaotic airports like Sydney or Melbourne.

The booking process was quick and easy. The only downside for me was that my trip started in Cairns, so limited cars were available.

Cost-wise, my Model 3 was a little pricey given it was a vehicle in high demand that you can't hire through many other rental companies.

However, after a recent trip through New York and Los Angeles where I spent an absolute fortune on daily Uber trips, something like Turo feels much more cost-effective.

If I were to book a 2021 Toyota RAV4 in Los Angeles for three days in October, it'd cost me $192, including taxes, premier protection, and the trip fee. I easily spent that on Ubers in two days.

What's more, for my trip through Far North Queensland, Turo was the smartest option, as I was in a remote area where Ubers and taxis are relatively scarce.

I have to say that the idea of meeting a stranger at the airport was a little daunting. Thankfully, my host Cameron was very friendly and accommodating. I provided my flight details, which he kept an eye on, and he was waiting for me when I arrived.

He even assisted with my luggage and paid for airport parking. I'll also add that he wasn't aware that I was writing a review of the company until we met face-to-face.

He took me through the features of the car and told me that if I had any issues, he could assist me from afar with the Tesla app on his phone. He was also happy to be available for any questions, should they arise.

I took photos of a couple of minor scuffs on the rear and rims and was sure to alert him, and he agreed they were already present when he handed the car over.

Access to the owner is a real advantage should you run into any issues or have any queries about the car after pick-up. I got a little stuck with charging stations, as the Tesla Supercharging network stops north of Cairns. The few chargers scattered around the area were slow AC chargers, or didn't work at all. As he was familiar with the area, I messaged him for assistance.

He also offered his Chargefox account details, along with charging location recommendations.

The car was clean and tidy and was handed to me fully charged. As my charging options were limited, I asked how much charge I needed to return the car with, and thankfully he was happy to accept 50km. I returned the car with close to 200km, but it was nice to know that he was understanding and flexible.

I didn't experience any issues with the car, and unlike with a regular rental car, I didn't have to worry about stopping at a petrol station near the airport and filling up the tank.

The car drop-off experience was seamless, as Cameron was waiting for me at the airport before I jetted off.

For me, I prefer to land at an airport, jump in an Uber, and use that platform to get me around. However, I'm sure a lot of people will agree when I say that Ubers are expensive and the service isn't always convenient.

So, I can see the appeal of using an app like Turo. Its pricing proposition isn't excessive and the accessibility, security, and personal nature of it are attractive.

If you don't know much about new cars – like where the cruise control is, what certain alerts mean, or how to use modern infotainment systems – booking a car through this app could be a huge help.

I can't imagine my parents landing at an airport and knowing how to put a Tesla into drive. So, it's the face-to-face element that is the big winner here.

Finally, most rental car companies can't guarantee a specific model at the time of booking – only offering a "Kia Carnival or similar".

With Turo, the certainty of getting the car you actually want, where and when you want it, is priceless.