7 Mistakes to Avoid When Renting a Car in Florida
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Read more →Should You Rent a Sedan or SUV in Fort Lauderdale?
At Atlas both cars cost the same — $65 a day — so this isn't a budget decision. Choose on what you're carrying.
Take the Jetta if there are one or two of you traveling light and you want the best fuel economy and the easiest parking. Take the Taos if you're carrying full-size suitcases, family gear or beach equipment, or you simply prefer sitting higher.
Fort Lauderdale's roads don't require an SUV. Your luggage might.
The two cars, side by side
2024 Volkswagen Jetta SE — sedan
- Cargo — 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space
- Fuel economy — EPA 29 city / 40 highway / 33 combined
- Seats — five
- Best for — couples, solo travellers, business trips, commuting, light luggage
2023 Volkswagen Taos S w/ IQ.DRIVE — compact SUV
- Cargo — 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 65.9 with them folded
- Fuel economy — EPA 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined
- Seats — five
- Best for — families, several large bags, strollers, beach and sports kit, higher seating position
Both are automatic, both seat five, both are $65 a day.
The number that actually decides it
The Taos holds almost twice as much luggage as the Jetta — 27.9 cubic feet against 14.1 — and that understates it, because a hatchback opening swallows awkward shapes a trunk lip won't. A folded stroller, a cooler, beach chairs or golf clubs go in without negotiation.
The cost of that space is about two miles per gallon. It's a small penalty for a large gain, which is exactly why we bought the Taos second rather than a bigger SUV.
Pick the Jetta if…
- One or two people are traveling
- You have carry-ons rather than full-size cases
- Most of your driving is local, or you'll park downtown and near the beach often
- You want the best fuel economy we offer — 40 MPG on the highway
- You need a straightforward replacement car for commuting and errands
Distance alone doesn't call for an SUV. A couple driving to Key Largo, Miami or Palm Beach is perfectly comfortable in the Jetta if the luggage already fits.
Pick the Taos if…
- Three or more of you are traveling with bags
- You're bringing several full-size suitcases
- A stroller or car seat is coming along
- You'll be carrying beach, golf or outdoor equipment
- You'd rather sit higher, or you drive an SUV at home
The same logic applies to a replacement rental. If your routine involves children, work equipment or a weekly shop, the crossover fits the routine better — regardless of what your own car is.
Parking and driving
Both work well across Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, Davie and Aventura. The Jetta has the edge in a crowded beach lot or a tight garage bay, and it's the more familiar shape if you normally drive a car rather than a crossover.
But the Taos is a compact crossover, not a large SUV — it fits hotel garages and street spaces without drama. The higher seating position and wider rear opening are easier when you're loading children or cargo. Neither car will make you circle the block.
Still not sure?
Count the people and the bags that will be in the car at the same time. That usually settles it.
If everything fits in the Jetta, take the Jetta — you'll spend less on fuel and park more easily. If you're doing arithmetic about whether it fits, take the Taos. It's the same price, and a cramped car is a bad way to spend a holiday.
Book either one
Both are $65 a day with 200 miles a day included, then $0.35 per additional mile, and a $300 deposit held rather than charged. We deliver across Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, Davie and Aventura.
Compare the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta and the 2023 Volkswagen Taos, pick your dates, and you'll see an itemized price before you book. Our FAQ covers insurance, deposits, mileage, additional drivers and delivery.
More reading: why we chose the Jetta · why we added the Taos · driving in Fort Lauderdale · how delivery works
