Most people booking a hire car in Perth start with the question: how much will it cost? That is fair enough. But the more useful question, the one that avoids an uncomfortable week in the wrong vehicle, is: what do I actually need this car to do?
Burswood Car Rentals has a fleet that ranges from fuel-efficient economy cars right through to people movers, utes, luxury vehicles, and trailers. Every category exists because different visitors to Perth have genuinely different requirements. This guide helps you match the right vehicle to your trip. Browse the full fleet online once you have a sense of what suits your needs.
Find Your Ideal Perth Hire CarEconomy, midsize, luxury, people mover, ute and trailer hire in Perth. From $25/day. No hidden fees. Instant quote available. |
Economy Cars: The Practical City Choice
Economy cars, like the Kia Rio hatch in the Burswood fleet, are the best choice for solo travellers or couples exploring the city without needing to carry large amounts of luggage or equipment.
Who it suits:
- Solo travellers or couples on a city-focused trip
- Visitors whose primary use will be commuting, exploring Perth’s beaches, and short day trips
- Budget-conscious travellers who want the lowest daily rate
- Visitors who will primarily be using the car for short urban hops rather than long highway drives
What to keep in mind: economy cars have limited boot space. If you are travelling with more than one large suitcase, the boot may be tight. Consider stepping up to a midsize if luggage is a factor.
Midsize Sedans: The Versatile All-Rounder
The midsize sedan is the most versatile category for Perth visitors and the choice that suits the widest range of trip types. In the Burswood fleet, the Toyota Corolla 4-door automatic is a representative option: comfortable on long highway drives to Margaret River or the South West, practical enough for city driving, and spacious enough for two adults with reasonable luggage.
Who it suits:
- Couples or small groups of two to four people
- Visitors planning both city driving and a longer regional drive (South West, Pinnacles, Rottnest ferry run)
- Business travellers wanting a comfortable, well-presented vehicle
- Anyone planning more than two or three hours of highway driving over their hire period
What to keep in mind: midsize sedans offer a comfortable balance of fuel economy and interior space. The Toyota Corolla in our fleet includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane keep assist, and forward collision alert, which make it an excellent companion on longer WA drives.
Large Sedans and Hybrid Cars: Comfort for Longer Drives
For visitors planning extensive driving, particularly long highway stints to regional WA, the large sedan category offers additional comfort and, in the case of hybrids like the Toyota Camry Hybrid, excellent fuel economy on the extended drives that WA highway travel demands.
Who it suits:
- Travellers covering significant distances (900km round trip to Margaret River, or longer drives north toward the Pinnacles and Geraldton)
- Those who prioritise ride comfort and cabin space for longer periods
- Business travellers or those wanting to arrive at a meeting looking polished
- Anyone towing a small trailer (check towing specifications before booking)
People Movers: The Large Group Solution
If you are travelling with a group of five or more people, or a family with children and significant luggage, the Kia Carnival 8-seater people mover is the standout vehicle in Perth hire car travel. It comfortably seats eight adults, has a large boot area, and includes the safety and technology features (Apple CarPlay, lane assist, five-star ANCAP safety rating) that make a large group vehicle feel reassuring rather than compromised.
Who it suits:
- Families with three or more children, or multiple car seats
- Groups of friends or extended family travelling together
- Sports or event groups needing to move equipment along with people
- Airport transfer groups who want to travel together rather than split across two vehicles
The people mover is consistently one of the most-requested vehicles at Burswood. Book the Kia Carnival early as availability is limited.
Utes: For Work and Practical Heavy Loads
Perth’s construction industry and outdoor lifestyle make ute hire a busy category year-round. If your Perth trip involves moving furniture, building materials, large outdoor equipment, or significant gear loads that do not fit in a standard boot, ute hire is the practical solution.
Who it suits:
- Tradespeople, contractors, or those doing renovation or property work in Perth
- Visitors moving between accommodation types and needing to shift large items
- Outdoor enthusiasts with significant gear (surfboards, camping equipment, kayaks)
Utes are tray-based vehicles, not SUVs. They carry cargo on an open tray behind the cabin rather than in an enclosed boot. If weather protection for your cargo matters, check options with the Burswood team.
Luxury Cars: When the Experience Is Part of the Trip
Perth has some of the most scenic drives in Australia. The Indian Ocean Drive north to Lancelin, the coastal route through Cottesloe and Swanbourne, and the winery roads of the Swan Valley and Margaret River are all experiences that feel different from behind the wheel of a prestige vehicle. Burswood’s luxury hire car range includes premium models for visitors who want to make the driving experience itself part of their Perth trip.
Who it suits:
- Special occasions: anniversaries, honeymoons, milestone birthdays
- Business visitors who represent a brand and need to arrive in a prestige vehicle
- Visitors doing a self-drive food and wine tour of Margaret River or the Swan Valley
- Anyone who simply loves driving a quality car and wants to enjoy it in one of Australia’s best driving environments
Trailers: Moving More Than a Car Can Carry
For visitors who need to transport oversize loads, furniture, or equipment that exceeds what any car or ute can carry, Burswood also offers trailer hire in Perth. Trailer hire is available in conjunction with a hire car booking and covers most household and commercial load requirements in the Perth metropolitan area.
Quick Reference: Matching Vehicle to Trip
| Trip type | Recommended vehicle | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller or couple, city focus | Economy (Kia Rio) | Affordable, easy to park, fuel-efficient |
| Couple or small group, mix of city and regional | Midsize sedan (Toyota Corolla) | Comfortable, spacious, great tech, easy on long drives |
| Extended highway driving | Large sedan or hybrid (Toyota Camry Hybrid) | Fuel economy, ride comfort, cabin space |
| Family of 5 to 8 or large group | People mover (Kia Carnival 8-seater) | 8 seats, large boot, five-star ANCAP safety |
| Trade, building work, large gear | Ute | Open tray for oversized or heavy loads |
| Special occasion or prestige travel | Luxury hire | Premium driving experience on scenic WA roads |
| Large loads exceeding car/ute capacity | Trailer hire | Flat-bed or enclosed trailer for oversized items |
Still not sure which vehicle suits your trip? Contact the Burswood Car Rentals team and we’ll recommend the right vehicle for your specific requirements. We have been helping Perth visitors choose the right car for over 42 years.
View the Full Burswood FleetEconomy, midsize, people mover, ute, luxury and trailers. Perth’s most trusted hire car company for over 42 years. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a small economy car big enough for two adults with luggage?
For two adults travelling light with cabin-size bags, yes. For two adults with large checked-luggage-size bags, it is tight. If you each have one large suitcase, consider the midsize sedan category which offers meaningfully more boot space. Check the full vehicle fleet or contact Burswood to discuss boot space requirements for your specific luggage.
What is the most popular hire car in Perth?
Midsize sedans are consistently the most hired category for leisure travel in Perth. They work well for couples exploring the city and regional areas, are comfortable on the longer highway drives that WA offers, and are well priced. For groups and families, the people mover category is very popular, particularly during school holidays.
Do I need a large car to drive to Margaret River?
No. The Margaret River drive is entirely on sealed, well-maintained highways and does not require a four-wheel-drive or large vehicle. Any vehicle in the Burswood fleet is suitable for the South West drive. If you are a group of four to five adults, the midsize sedan or a people mover will provide the most comfort for the approximately three-hour drive.