Most of us know Hertz as the place we pick up a car at the airport. But Hertz also sells a steady stream of its own rental cars once they leave the fleet, and on October 15, 2026 it made that side of the business easier to try out. Hertz Car Sales announced that its three-day test-drive program, formerly called Rent2Buy, is now named TestDrive+ and is available at more than 300 participating Hertz neighborhood rental locations nationwide.
What Hertz announced
According to Hertz’s press release, the program works like this:
- Pick a car online. Browse eligible vehicles on HertzCarSales.com and schedule a pickup at a Hertz Car Sales location or a participating neighborhood rental location.
- Drive it for up to three days. You pay a daily drive fee and use the car in your normal routine: commute, parking garage, car seats, grocery run.
- Return it or buy it. If you buy the vehicle, Hertz waives the daily drive fee.
Hertz says most eligible TestDrive+ vehicles are 2025 or 2026 models from its rental fleet, pricing is no-haggle, and eligible cars include “100K Mile Protection,” a 3-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty at no additional charge (subject to program terms). You can also complete a purchase online through HertzCarSales.com, Amazon Autos or eBay. Hertz cited its own 2026 research finding that 59% of used-car buyers would seek out or use a three-day test drive.
| Detail | What Hertz says (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Program name | TestDrive+ (formerly Rent2Buy) |
| Where | 300+ participating Hertz neighborhood rental locations, plus Hertz Car Sales lots |
| Length | Up to three days |
| Cost | A daily drive fee (amount not stated in the release); waived if you buy |
| Typical vehicles | Mostly 2025 and 2026 models from the rental fleet |
| Warranty | 3-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain coverage on eligible cars |
Who this affects
This is aimed at used-car shoppers, not travelers on a trip. Note the wording: the release says neighborhood rental locations, not airports, so don’t expect to pick up a TestDrive+ car when you land. If you live near a participating Hertz branch and you’re in the market for a late-model car, though, it is a practical way to live with a specific vehicle for a long weekend before committing.
What it means for points and status
Honestly, we don’t know yet. Hertz’s release does not mention Hertz Gold Plus Rewards at all. It says TestDrive+ use is subject to the “TestDrive+ daily rental fee and Hertz rental agreement terms,” which suggests the test drive is handled like a rental contract, but the release does not say whether the fee earns Gold Plus Rewards points, counts toward elite status, or can be paid with points. Until Hertz says otherwise, assume it does not, and ask the location before you book if that matters to you.
The same goes for credit card benefits. Card rental car coverage typically has exclusions, and a test drive tied to a possible purchase may not be treated like an ordinary rental. Call your card issuer before relying on it.
Practical tips
- Get the fee in writing. The release does not state the daily drive fee, and Hertz says pricing and availability vary by location.
- Ask about insurance and mileage. Find out what coverage applies, whether there’s a mileage cap, and what happens if you return the car late.
- Read the warranty terms. “Limited powertrain” coverage isn’t bumper-to-bumper. Check the 100K Mile Protection terms and eligibility linked from Hertz’s site.
- Get an independent inspection. Three days is enough time to have your own mechanic look at the car, which is one of the best reasons to use a program like this.
- Compare the price. No-haggle isn’t the same as cheapest. Check the same model on other used-car sites before you sign.
Our take
A longer test drive is genuinely useful. A 15-minute loop around a dealer lot tells you very little about whether a car fits your garage, your kids’ car seats or your commute. The rename to TestDrive+ is mostly marketing, but the expansion to 300-plus neighborhood branches makes the program reachable for a lot more people. The downsides: the fee isn’t published in the announcement, ex-rental cars have had many drivers, and there is no word on any Gold Plus Rewards tie-in. For points collectors, this is a car-buying story more than a rewards story. Hertz reports third-quarter 2026 results on November 5, 2026, and we’ll watch for any further consumer changes then.
Sources
- Hertz newsroom: Hertz Car Sales Expands Three-Day Test-Drive Experience to 300+ Hertz Locations Nationwide (Oct. 15, 2026)
- Hertz newsroom: press releases (Q3 2026 results date)
- StockTitan: full text of the Hertz release
- Investing.com: Hertz Car Sales expands test-drive program to 300 locations
Programs, prices and terms change often; confirm details with the airline or rental company before you book. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
