With new cars averaging over $50,000, many shoppers are turning to used cars. And while in most cases you have to decide whether to buy a car right away after a quick test drive, at least one company offers a way for buyers to take more time to see whether a vehicle is a good fit.

Hertz recently rebranded its Rent2Buy program as TestDrive+. I had a chance to test the program, which lets people rent a car for three days before they have to decide whether to buy it. There's no commitment if you decide not to go forward, and the trial is processed as a regular rental.

"Buying a car is a big decision, and customers have told us they want more time and flexibility to get it right," Jeff Adams, executive vice president of Hertz Car Sales, said in a statement. "By bringing TestDrive+ to more Hertz neighborhood rental locations, we're making it easier for shoppers to experience a vehicle on their terms and choose with confidence."

I tested the program by driving a 2026 Grand Cherokee 4x4 Limited that is listed on Hertz's website for just under $42,000. The vehicle had about 6,000 miles and was in excellent condition.

How does the Hertz TestDrive+ process work?

The check-in and check-out process for Hertz's TestDrive+ works exactly like a normal rental. You can reserve a car online and pick it up at a nearby Hertz location.

The company says you can drive the car however you see fit for three days, like you would with a regular rental vehicle.

"The additional time helps shoppers understand how a vehicle fits their daily routine – from the commute and garage fit to passengers, car seats, groceries or gear," Hertz said. "Even as consumers grow more comfortable researching and purchasing vehicles online, many still value seeing a vehicle firsthand."

Hertz said it will waive the rental fees if a customer decides to buy a car. If not, they pay the same daily rate as someone renting the car.

Hertz offers a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty on certified used cars it sells at no additional charge.

What happens if you decide to buy the car?

Hertz says if a customer decides to purchase a car after their three-day test drive, it will coordinate an inspection to help finalize payment.

As with any car purchase, customers can pay cash, use their own financing or arrange financing through Hertz Car Sales. Hertz says that once payment is received in full, the rental fees are waived and the rental is closed. The company says the customer can keep the vehicle while the purchase, title and registration paperwork are processed.

Why do former rentals offer value for car shoppers?

Former rental cars have long had a reputation for being in worse shape than other used cars because drivers are thought not to care for them as well as owners or lessees do.

But Adams noted that his company has a "large selection of single-owner, near-new vehicles that are typically one year old or newer."

Consumer Reports also said in a post on its website that buyers should not automatically rule out former rentals when they are shopping for used cars.

"Used rental cars can be priced very competitively, with a wide selection of available models under $20,000," says Michael Crossen, lead technician at CR's Auto Test Center. "Depending on which company you buy from, used rental cars can also come with warranty protections that can reduce financial risk."

Crossen added: "If you're buying a used rental car, we recommend buying from one of the biggest companies for extra protection and the widest selection of models. But you still need to closely review the terms before you buy."

Consumer Reports identified benefits that people who buy used cars from major rental companies like Hertz can reap:

  • Warranty protection may be available: Consumer Reports says some used cars that were former rentals may still be covered by their original factory warranty. Major rental companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis also typically offer a 12-month/12,000-mile limited warranty from the purchase date.

  • Haggle-free price: Most rental companies offer competitive prices on used cars because they want to turn over their rental fleets.

  • Easy return options: Most rental companies let you return a used car within a week of purchase if you change your mind. Consumer Reports said Enterprise will buy the car back if you change your mind within the first week or 1,000 miles after purchase.

Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at [email protected].