I write about Silvercar quite a bit, as they're my favorite company to rent cars from. Up until this week I had only ever rented an Audi A4 from them, as that car is the backbone of their fleet. However, lately they've expanded their selection of cars, and now also rent Q5s and A5 Cabriolets.…
Continue reading: Is Renting An Audi Q5 From Silvercar Worth It?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I remain shocked that as a professed travel expert you don't talk more loudly about National Car Rental.
I prefer to contribute less towards global warming and therefore always avoid renting SUVs and even refuse them when they offer to upgrade me unless it's a hybrid with excellent fuel economy
Silvercar is less about "the" car and more about renting "an" Audi with zero bullshit. I rented one in Miami and I don't plan to ever waste time on dealing with hidden fees, tolls, prices that double from reservation to drop-off again.
So . . . like . . . does it maybe have 4-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive?
Could be nice on a ski trip.
I’m so tired of you elitist people over 22....with your inexpensively rented Audi’s! I’m over here renting a UHaul because for some reason I’m allowed to drive a box truck but not a Honda Civic.
-kidding of course, but very annoying
Not sure I could continue to drive while staring at that creepy-animal-smile-looking steering column, in the photo you posted.
@Chilipalmer in the US silver cars all come with Audi’s Quattro system which is regarded as one of if not the best all wheel drive systems in the industry
Give me an SUV every time. Awesome.
You "tree-huggers" better be flying coach and not business or first. Those premium seats are so heavy and require more fuel to carry that extra weight. Enjoy the back row of the plane.
Can we finally agree that using an unanswerable question as a title is pure clickbait?
This is such an endearing article and kind of shows why this blog is soooo good. Lucky clearly knows nothing about renting cars but is still sharing whatever limited knowledge he has in the same curious and earnest way he writes about airlines and hotels.
Please never change Lucky!
I can’t speak to the Q5 Silvercar rental experience, but as a previous Q5 owner, I can say that the Q5 (based on the previous body style) is slightly roomier than the A4. I rented an A4 in Fort Lauderdale and did find the sedan very similar to my Q5 but it was a little more cramped (not to mention lower to the ground as noted). I would love to rent the new Q5 to check out the updated design. It might make me a little nostalgic but that would be quickly tempered by memories of the outrageous repair bills that prompted me to get rid of my Audi!
The Q5 was a perfect fit for my family of four on a trip from LAX to Palm Springs. It's not that much roomier than an A4, but it fit our luggage much more easily. It's not the perfect car for everyone.
I have to admit Audi’s are my favorite car, I’ve owned several A4’s in the past, and have rented A4’s from Silvercar as well, but I honestly didn’t think I got good value out of it. Granted I didn’t have the 30% discount but I really didn’t feel like it was worth the premium over another rental company. Just my unsolicited two cents
I’m currently renting a Q5 from SFO now, drove to Yosemite and I’m so glad I got the SUV. With the discount and the high car rental prices in SF, it actually came out cheaper than renting a midsize from the other big name companies. So to me this was definitely worth it!
It’s one of the rules of journalism: where the headline is a question, the answer is always “no”.
@ colleen
I do wish you hadn’t pointed that out - the creepy animal is now all I can see! 🙂
Bleh, they're just entry level Audis, what's the value in that? Give me the cheapest Priceline deal any day. I can have a lot more fun with the money.
To all those who said that Silvercar is not worth it, can you please explain????
The 50% premium to upgrade from A4 to Q5 might not be worth it, but $35 Midsize rental isn't??????
I wish they had A4 avant or A6 Avant. Luggage compartment should not be much different from SUV.
Don't forget that if you own an Audi you get a free day rental on a two day rental and two free days on a four day rental. Don't know if it's stackable with the Visa Infinite discount.
Rented an A4 from DIA last week for four days. I thought about the Q5 but decided against it because of the price differential. It was my first time with Silvercar and I will definitely be renting from them again. They were cheaper than mid-size from Hertz when you consider the add-ons like tolls, GPS etc. I Mostly drive my wife’s X1 and I wasn’t prepared to drive a Hertz Corolla thru the Rockies.
lol 70$ bucks per day for a midsize SUV - Silvercar is the Apple of rental companies
i can rent a Tahoe or Yukon at Alamo for a cheaper price and have a better and bigger SUV ...
I love SUVs and with the option, would probably opt for the Q5. Much roomier and bigger trunk for all the luggage, shopping, etc one does on vacation.
@Chris
And how often can you get an Escalade for $27, every time with Hertz?? I don't think so. (If yes, your rate is the best I've seen, kudos) I'm pretty sure you end up in Sentra, Jetta, or Camry more often than any Cadillac.
I'm trying to make a fair comparison for the mass. Good for you that you can rent at $27, not all of us are (or some pretending to be) part of a corporate account/pre-negotiated rate to rent with.
I don't think most people can get a midsize car at that price 'all the time'. True, that not every one is a Visa Infinite holder but I can say it is definitely much more accessible to people.
Wild be great if Silvercar added Q7s to their fleet for families who need more than 5 seats.
I don't go out of my way to rent from silver car. The fleet is frankly boring.
For a SUV, I like the top of the line XC90 from Hertz for hauling large loads. For off-road driving, I always rent from specialty renters.
just signed up. Used your code. You're welcome.
Thanks for the 30% off tip. I had reserved a car with Thrifty at TPA for a trip in a couple of weeks that was going to cost me $175 for a 5 day rental. With the 30% discount Silvercar came to $220. And I guess with the $25 first timer bonus that drops the price to 195. Seems like it's not unreasonable to pay $20 more for a nicer car than whatever Thrifty would have given me. Since I am BlueChip I am not sure the experience will necessarily be that much better since Silvercar is off airport. But I am willing to give them a try.
Chris I would love to see your $27 final bill from Hertz for a Cadillac. I have rented with them for years as an elite corporate with a negotiated rate and never got that rate. Silver Car is a nice alternative to the other guys. No BS, added charges, hidden fees, etc. Some of you people need to start thinking out of the box.
Just booked an SUV in DC and reserved two boosters for the kids. I even confirmed the boosters a couple weeks ago. Car showed up with no boosters because they overbooked thus leaving me in a very dangerous situation. This is super messed up.