Should we rent a 4 WD on Kauai. Is it necessary or would a midsize car work fine?

Thanks

Personal opinion is to go w/ the 4WD. If you shop around (go to www.flyertalk.com/milesfr and go to the various car rental forums) you should be able to find rates on a 4WD for around the same as a midsize. We had a 4WD and could get to places we'd otherwise not have seen.

Aloha...

Occasionally you may need a 4 wheel drive it you are interested in getting closer to trailheads in Waimea, driving the dirt road to Polihale, or driving waaaaaaaay up in the hills above Wailua.

Not all of the Jeeps have 4WD, so make sure if that's what you want. Also, the Jeep Wranglers have soft covers/roofs so your valuables won't be secure and there is no real trunk. But they are fun to drive. SOME of the Ford Rangers at Budget MAY have 4WD but not all of them.

I live on Kauai and have never needed a 4-wheel drive.

Just returned from Kauai for a week....had a convertible and loved it. If you can afford the extra expense, I would definitely upgrade from the midsize. Just makes seeing the beautiful scenery and enjoying the incredible weather that much easier. Found no need for a 4WD. But as vivi did say, if you plan on doing some hiking, a 4WD could come in handy....a couple of the trails we did up the canyon we could have gotten a little closer with a 4WD. But it didn't stop us from doing them.

Hi mchaney

We like getting an SUV also. First if you get a car for a couple of weeks you become aware of the space very quickly. I do anyway. I also like the view perched a bit off the grown like that. Second, SUV are very handy if you want to take advantage of some great Hiking trails. Some favorites of mine in Kokee like the Canyon trail and the Alakai swamp trails require an SUV to cut off 3 miles of the trail. Remember that you don't want anything other than a jeep on Polihale beach we watch some four whell drive trucks getting stuck on that sandy beach.

Having said this if you are not a hiker (recognize not hiking in Kauai is a big miss) then you really don't need the SUV. There are trails that don't require it but I have found it handy.

Convertibles do look alluring just remember that luggage space is limited and there are frequent short showers on Kauai even in summer so you are going up and down with that top. That is what we observed on our trips over anyway.

When are you going where are you staying mchaney? ...give us a little to live off of here.

Hey Doug I did not see a trip report when I clicked on your name. What is up with that?

Hey Sarah,

Unfortunately I haven't had time yet to put together a detailed trip report. But I've been trying my best to give back to this forum after receiving so much help in planning my honeymoon by answering any questions people may have. I'll do my best to put out a trip report soon!

I will keep my eyes out for it Doug.