These calculations are based on picking the vehicle up at an airport in spring 2010 and returning it to the same location. They do not include any discount coupons but do include estimated taxes and fees. Each quote includes unlimited miles and is based on prices provided by Expedia.
These prices are based on a Thursday pickup and Tuesday return at O'Hare airport.
Compact car: While the average price was $228.91, most rentals were actually about $200, but one company's super-high rate bumped up the average. Cars in this class include the Nissan Versa, Ford Focus and Dodge Caliber.
Midsize car: The average was $256.54, pushed higher by a quote from one company that was $100 above the second-highest price. Cars in this category include the Ford Fusion, Pontiac G5 and Toyota Corolla.
Full-size SUV: Only two companies out of the five researched offered a full-size sport-utility vehicle at O'Hare. The average price of $727.02, but one company's rental was $513.91, and the other company's nearly double that. The company with the lower cost said its SUV would hold 7 passengers, while the more expensive rental would hold eight.
These prices are based on a Monday pickup and Thursday return.
Economy car: The average price was $220.70, but costs ranged from $148 to $295. Cars in this category include the Hyundai Accent and Chevrolet Aveo.
Full-size car: Costs varied widely in this category, with an average of $286.27. You might get a Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus or Dodge Charger.
Premium car: Four of the five companies checked at the Seattle airport offered a car in this class. The gap between the cheapest and most-expensive rentals was about $200, with an average price of $530.48. The Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria and Chrysler 300 fall into this category.
These one-day rates are at William P. Hobby Airport.
Standard car: The average cost of $84.40 can be deceiving. Three rental firms had prices around $52, while the others charged about $133 for the same period. You might get a Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Malibu or Ford Fusion.
Minivan: The average price of $152.77 could get you a Toyota Sienna, Ford Freestar or Dodge Grand Caravan.
Midsize SUV: These rentals average $147.30 for vehicles such as the Toyota Rav4, Ford Escape and Saturn Vue.
These rates are based on picking a car up on a Wednesday and returning it on a Wednesday two weeks later.
Standard SUV: The average was $1,107.46. You might receive the Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer.
Standard convertible: Only one company offered this option; the price was $1,322.99.
Midsize car: Plan on an average of $470.59.
