Madeira guide · Choosing a car
Which car should you rent for Madeira's mountain roads?
Steep climbs and tight bends need the right car. Here is how we help customers choose.
With so many car rental companies on Madeira, choosing a car can be confusing. Many agents never ask where you plan to drive, and that is the question that matters most.
Why the destination matters
Madeira's mountain roads are steep, with tight bends and long climbs. A very small, low-powered car struggles on them, and drivers end up riding the clutch. That can damage the clutch and lead to costs nobody planned for.
Small car or more power?
- Funchal and the coast: a small car is easy to park and cheap to run.
- Mountain trips, such as the peaks and viewpoints in the centre of the island: choose a car with more power. The difference in price is usually small.
- Not used to hill starts? Ask whether an automatic is available for your dates. It makes steep streets much less stressful.
Ask us before you book
Our team knows the island and will suggest the best places to visit. Tell us your plans and we will recommend a car that suits them. Sometimes paying a little more for the right car avoids a much larger cost later.