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If you're planning a driving trip, choosing the right car hire company can make a big difference, not just to your bank account but also to your rental experience.
Sixt and Enterprise are both well known for their budget-friendly rentals, but which is the best choice? We've compared both company's cars, locations, rates, booking systems, policies, inclusions, deals and more to help you decide.
The winner: Even though Sixt comes out cheaper we reckon Enterprise wins as it offers better extras for travellers. It charges much less for car rental excess, offers to pick you up in select locations and allows for free additional drivers so long as they meet specific requirements.
| Feature | Sixt | Enterprise | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where can I hire a car? | Sixt has over 4,000 branches across:
| Enterprise has over 7,600 locations in:
| Sixt |
| What type of cars does it have? |
|
| Sixt |
| Does it require a deposit? | No. However, paying a deposit decreases the overall price. | No | Both |
| Is insurance included? | Yes. Standard rental cover consists of third party liability and a loss damage waiver to reduce your liability for vehicle loss or damage. Additional insurance packages are available. | Yes. Standard cover is included in all rentals, including loss or damage liability. Additional insurance is also available to purchase. | Both |
| How much is excess? | Sixt charges $5,500 for all vehicles. | $2,750 for compact and sedan-type vehicles and $3,850 for full-size SUVs, all vans and all pick-ups. | Enterprise |
| Do I need to wash the car? | No, but it must be in a reasonable state of cleanliness. An $11 cleaning fee applies. | No, but the vehicle should not be returned in an excessively dirty or smelly state. | Both |
| Rental requirements | Drivers must be aged 21–80 with a valid driver's licence. If the licence isn't written in English, it may require an International Driving Permit (IDP). | Renters must be 21+ years with a valid driver's licence held for at least 12 months. Overseas licences must be accompanied by an IDP. | Both |
| Does it charge per mile/kilometre? | No, but some rentals have limited mileage and fees for exceeding the limit may be calculated by the mile/kilometre. | No, but on rentals with a mileage limit, you may be charged per mile/kilometre for exceeding the limit. | Both |
| Is there unlimited mileage? | Yes. Sixt rentals typically come with unlimited mileage. If mileage is limited, this will be outlined in the rental agreement. | Usually, yes. Sometimes a limit is imposed, depending on the pick-up time, location and vehicle size. | Both |
| Does it rent to under 25s? | Yes. The minimum rental age is 21. However, renters under 25 are subject to an underage fee. Car types are also limited for under 25s. | Yes. Drivers under 25 must pay a daily fee and limits to vehicle type and liability reductions apply. Drivers with a probationary licence must also pay a daily fee. | Both |
| Does it accept cash? | Yes | No | Sixt |
| Does it price match? | No. Sixt has a Best Price Guarantee but this only guarantees that you're viewing the best price at the time of search. It doesn't guarantee it'll price match against other quotes. | No | Both |
| Does it pick you up? | No | Yes. Free pick-up services operate during normal business hours from non-airport locations. | Enterprise |
| What are my payment options? |
|
| Sixt |
| Does it accept debit cards? | Yes | Yes | Both |
| Does it allow for cancellations/changes? | Yes. Free cancellations for pay-on-the-day rentals cancelled before the hire date and prepaid rentals cancelled three days prior to hire. | Yes. Refunds are given in most circumstances, minus cancellation fees. Changes to the return date, location and time can be made online. | Both |
| How long does it hold reservations? | Sixt holds prepaid rentals for 24 hours and pay-on-the-day rentals for 1 hour. | Vehicle reservations are typically held for the remainder of the business day. If you know you will arrive after close of business, you should change the pick-up time and date accordingly. | Both |
| Can I add an extra driver? | Yes. Additional drivers can be added provided they meet the age and licence requirements. Additional driver fees cost $11 per day for 1-day rentals or less per day for longer rentals. | Yes. Additional drivers are included on Australian rentals for free if they're a spouse or domestic partner. Fees may apply otherwise. | Enterprise |
| Does it have manual and automatic cars? | Yes | Yes | Both |
| Is there a loyalty programme? | The Sixt Express Card comes with the ability to reserve a car anytime through the SixtMobile app, upgrade opportunities, discounts, faster pick-ups and the chance to earn points with airline and hotel partners. | Enterprise Plus allows members to earn points, which can be redeemed for free rental days. | Both |
| Is there GPS? | Yes, for a fee. | Yes, for a fee. | Both |
| Can I return the car early? | Yes, but if your rental is prepaid you won't be refunded for the unused hire time. For non-prepaid rentals, different rates and additional charges may apply. | Yes, but Enterprise does not offer refunds on prepaid rentals. If your rental was not prepaid, you will only pay for the days that you had the car. | Both |
| Book | Book your car with Sixt | Book your car with Enterprise |
To answer this question we made the same rental search on both the Sixt and Enterprise websites. That's the same pick-up and drop-off location, rental dates and number of days as well as age of the renter. We did this on 9 November 2018.
The verdict?
Sixt gave us the cheaper price with a 3-day car hire for $139.69. This was for a Hyundai i20 paid on pick-up. Enterprise offered us a Kia Rio for $192.84 all up.
If we were to compare the same car, Enterprise also has a Hyundai i20 for hire. This is for $222.87 which is more than $80 extra than Sixt. Clearly the winner is Sixt.
Want to check out prices for your trip?
Sixt's rental deals cover particular vehicles in specific locations. Enterprise has more location-specific deals.
Catch the latest deals from both below:
Up to 25% off business car rental
All things considered Enterprise comes out on top. Sure it might not be cheaper in our comparison but its excess comes up cheaper as does its additional driver policy which allows spouses and domestic partners to be added onto policies for free.
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