When you're looking at a car for rent for a business trip or holiday, very often you can decide the features to include and which can cost you more money or which might save you money if you went for a more stripped-down model. Chances are that you don't want to overpay for a rental car, but you also don't want to assume that a lot of those features are just luxuries. Note a few tips to help you decide on features to consider when renting a car.

GPS

You may think you don't need a GPS system if you're familiar with the area in which you're travelling or aren't going far from your hotel or airport. This might be true in some cases, but remember that a GPS can do more than give you directions to and from a location; it can alert you to shortcuts or alternative routes in case of construction on the road. Note, too, that routes may have changed since the last time you were in town; roads may have closed and new roads may have opened. A GPS can keep you updated on new routes to take in those cases.

Satellite radio

Many rental cars come with satellite radio so you can tune in to a favourite genre or a station from back home. You might assume you don't need a radio if you're not taking long car trips, but remember that, like a GPS, a radio does more than entertain; it can alert you to weather conditions, emergencies on the road, and even local attractions. You might rethink your plans if you hear an ad on the radio for a local concert or other attraction that you had not considered, or reroute your trip to avoid traffic jams that result from such an attraction, concert and so on.

Four-wheel drive

When travelling in the city only, four-wheel drive may not be something you need to consider. However, if you're new to visiting the outback, driving on beaches that allow cars, going around any type of rural or country area or are travelling during the wintertime, you may want to consider four-wheel drive. It's very easy to think that the light sand you assume will be on the beach or in the outback or desert area won't cause any hazards, but if you're not accustomed to driving in such conditions, it can be easy to get your car stuck. Four-wheel drive gives you more traction and can reduce this risk, keeping you safe on the road and when off-roading.