5 Tips for Choosing the Right Car

A trip starts long before the first kilometre on the road. Comfort, safety and the overall experience largely depend on how well the car is chosen. That's why the Payless Ukraine fleet is built so every client can find a car rental that fits their needs — from budget city trips to family holidays, business travel or hauling oversized luggage.

Today the Payless fleet includes cars of different classes:

Budget — for cost-conscious trips

The Citroen C-Elysée is a great choice for anyone looking for the most cost-effective option for city driving or intercity trips. The car is low-maintenance, fuel-efficient and easy to drive.

Economy — the universal option

The Toyota Corolla is one of the most popular cars in the world. It combines comfort, reliability and fuel economy, making it a great fit for both business trips and family travel.

Comfort — the golden mean

The new-generation Kia Ceed offers more space, modern safety systems and a high level of comfort. It's one of the best value-for-money options for multi-day trips or long routes across Ukraine.

City Crossover and SUV — for active getaways

The Renault Duster and Suzuki Vitara suit those planning trips outside the city or who want to feel confident on roads with varying surfaces. Higher ground clearance and a roomy cabin make these cars ideal for family travel.

Minivans for a large group

If a big family or group of friends is heading off together, consider the Toyota Proace Verso or Peugeot Rifter — both offer plenty of room for passengers and luggage alike.

Pickups and vans for special tasks

For active recreation, work trips or hauling gear, the Toyota Hilux and Ford Transit are available. These vehicles are often chosen for transporting equipment or organizing longer trips with a lot of cargo.

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Car

1. Count your luggage, not just your passengers

A common mistake is focusing only on the number of people. For example, four passengers might be fine in a sedan for a weekend, but a week-long trip with suitcases calls for a wagon or crossover.

Tip: if everyone's bringing a large suitcase, go for a Kia Ceed Combi, Renault Duster or Suzuki Vitara.

2. For long highway trips, comfort beats savings

For routes spanning several hundred kilometres, extra comfort pays off after the first hour on the road. Comfort-class cars offer better sound insulation, ergonomics and equipment.

Tip: for Kyiv–Lviv, Kyiv–Odesa or trips through the Carpathians, the Kia Ceed is the optimal choice. Heading to Lviv specifically? Check the terms on the car rental in Lviv page.

3. Heading into nature? Choose a crossover

Even if the route is mostly paved, a crossover gives you extra confidence on dirt roads, at resort parking lots, or in mountainous areas.

Tip: the Renault Duster is a great fit for trips through the Carpathians and areas with less predictable road surfaces.

4. Calculate the total cost of the trip

The cheapest rental isn't always the best deal. Factor in fuel consumption, vehicle capacity and comfort along the way — sometimes a higher-class car saves significantly on fuel and makes the trip much more enjoyable.

5. Planning to drive a lot? Consider unlimited mileage

Standard rentals include 150 km per day; for busier routes, an unlimited mileage option is available. This is especially useful for touring Ukraine or business trips between multiple cities.

Which car should you choose?

For two people in the city

✔ Citroen C-Elysée

For business trips

✔ Toyota Corolla
✔ Kia Ceed

For a family with a child

✔ Kia Ceed Combi
✔ Renault Duster

For active getaways

✔ Suzuki Vitara
✔ Renault Duster

For a large group

✔ Toyota Proace Verso
✔ Peugeot Rifter

For hauling cargo

✔ Ford Transit
✔ Toyota Hilux