Avis - Which of these is an SUV? (SAN - PHX rental)

Am on avis.co.uk trying to compare costs for an Avis one-way rental between San Diego and Phoenix in August, for 9 days. But instead of the usual terminology of Standard SUV and Large SUV, its giving some frankly odd listings - and none of which use the term "SUV" or "4x4". Would you presume any of these are 100% going to be an SUV or would you call to make the booking by phone, to be sure?

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae229/747_kirki/Avis.jpg

I'm an Avis Preferred member and always book with Avis. However, prices seem a little steep for 9 days - can anyone recomend a different AWD number I could use (currently using the BA Silver card N744300)? Tried some of the recent ones from the Sticky but none seem to have much impact for me.

Or, I saw via some dummy searches on Expedia (at least I think it was them) that they offered some Avis rates which were pretty good value. Would you "risk" booking via a third party website and try those? Guess all it means is I wouldn't benefit from my Avis Preferred 'perks'?

Thanks for any advice... Have had to cut our holiday back from 17 days to 9, as we're trying to save money this year, so any help/advice to get a good deal on a quality SUV would be appreciated.

Based on the example vehicles, I would expect these to be E, F, W, V, and S.

The one-way nature certainly isn't helping the price. Are you leaving SAN on the first day and arriving at PHX at the last minute? If not, you might be better off breaking it up into 2 or 3 rentals, such as SAN-PHX and then PHX-PHX.

Based on the example vehicles, I would expect these to be E, F, W, V, and S.

The one-way nature certainly isn't helping the price. Are you leaving SAN on the first day and arriving at PHX at the last minute? If not, you might be better off breaking it up into 2 or 3 rentals, such as SAN-PHX and then PHX-PHX.

Pretty much, yes. So of those codes, which is the standard size SUV? Is it the one they are incorrectly labelling a Station Wagon?

Thanks for your help.

The Ford Escape (large station wagon on the UK page) is U.S. Avis' typical midsize SUV. These are commonly AWD although FWD is possible, as is substitution of a 'similar' vehicle that may not be all that similar.

The Chevy Traverse is a 3-row crossover, commonly FWD but can be AWD. This is U.S. Avis' typical standard elite SUV.

The Ford Escape (large station wagon on the UK page) is U.S. Avis' typical midsize SUV. These are commonly AWD although FWD is possible, as is substitution of a 'similar' vehicle that may not be all that similar.

The Chevy Traverse is a 3-row crossover, commonly FWD but can be AWD. This is U.S. Avis' typical standard elite SUV.

What do you recommend to guarentee an AWD SUV? Look at other rental companies to see if they are offering the likes of a Chevy Blazer / Jeep Grand Cherokee etc?

U.S. rental car fleets have followed the same pattern as consumer choices: volumes of truck-based four-wheel drive SUVs have cratered and sales of car-based crossover vehicles FWD/AWD have soared.

This is a good time to remind you that driving off paved roads violates the rental contract in the U.S.A...

The Chevy Tahoe is a truck-based old-school SUV. It's the exemplar for Avis' full size SUV. Perhaps reserving that class with a phone call will yield what you seek. (Substitution of a Jeep Grand Cherokee - if you can deal with less room - should be welcomed at time of vehicle pick up.)

This is a good time to remind you that driving off paved roads violates the rental contract in the U.S.A...

I'll be sticking to the blacktop for this road trip, but drive a 4x4 back home in the UK and like the high-seating position and reasurance of four driven wheels.

When I am heading off the road, that's where Farabees Jeep Rental in Furnace Creek, CA, and the Moab Adventure Center, UT, come in very handy! Past holiday snaps below: (and there is a Jeep in the bottom shot - I'd just hiked a fair distance from it to get the photo)...

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae229/747_kirki/CIMG8424.jpg

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/ae229/747_kirki/Death%20Valley%202012/CIMG9338.jpg