Choosing the best car for Réunion Island depends more on your plans than on whether the island is mountainous. Most tourist routes use maintained national and departmental roads, and you can reach Cilaos and Salazie on normal paved roads. The main exception is the volcanic approach beyond Pas des Sables, where the surface is rougher.
Your choice usually comes down to passengers, luggage, parking, road conditions, and confidence on steep bends. A hatchback is practical for paved routes, while an SUV is more useful when you need more space or ground clearance.
When renting a car in Réunion, focus on the entire itinerary rather than a single dramatic mountain drive. Our guide compares hatchbacks and SUVs across Réunion’s main routes, parking needs, luggage space, transmission choices, and rougher road sections.
Here's how hatchbacks and SUVs can work well in Réunion:
A hatchback is often practical when your itinerary stays on the main paved road network. Most major roads are maintained and signposted. Some highland routes are narrow and winding, so shorter dimensions can help around bends and village streets.
Parking is another reason to consider a hatchback rental in Réunion. Stops around town, hotel car parks, and busy tourist areas often have limited space. Do not choose only by body size because engine power still matters on steep climbs. A heavily loaded small car may need more gear changes and higher engine speeds uphill.
An SUV makes more sense when space is your priority. Four adults, large suitcases, child equipment, walking boots, and hiking packs can quickly fill a small hatchback. Many SUVs also have a higher seating position. Some drivers prefer the clearer view ahead on longer mountain drives. Extra rear-seat space also helps when you cross the island several times.
Ground clearance can help on uneven surfaces, especially after Pas des Sables on the Route du Volcan. The latter Plaine des Sables approach includes dust and gravel before Pas de Bellecombe. However, extra clearance does not mean every SUV is suitable for off-road driving. Your rental agreement still applies.
Width is the trade-off. A larger SUV needs more space through narrow bends, villages, and car parks. On RN5 to Cilaos, compact exterior dimensions can be more useful than extra height.
If you are comparing an SUV rental in Réunion, focus on boot space and passenger comfort. Choosing the largest option does not always make it easy to drive in the mountains.
When choosing the best car for Réunion Island, compare the actual roads on your itinerary. Routes vary in width, gradient, surface, altitude, parking availability, and traffic.
RN5 is the only road into the heart of Cilaos, and a compact car has clear benefits here. The route has around 400 bends as it climbs through a deep valley and passes several tunnels.
A short hatchback needs less space through repeated bends. Drivers may also find narrow sections easier when meeting traffic from the opposite direction. In an SUV, you sit higher and may have a better forward view. However, the wider body needs more careful road positioning. Bigger does not always mean easier on RN5.
Approach the tunnels carefully as well. The route includes three tricky tunnels, so check whether another vehicle has already entered before you continue.
The drive into Salazie follows RD48 from the Saint-André side. You pass through the Rivière du Mât gorge towards Salazie. The route has steep slopes, dense vegetation, and waterfalls.
Both hatchbacks and SUVs are suitable for the route to the main villages. Your choice depends more on passengers and bags than on off-road ability. A compact car can be easier to navigate through winding sections. It also needs less space when you turn or park in villages. An SUV offers more cabin and luggage space for families or groups spending a full day exploring.
Salazie gets substantial rainfall, which feeds its waterfalls and dense vegetation. Drive smoothly on wet roads and leave more braking distance.
You should consider ground clearance on Route du Volcan. From Bourg-Murat, the road climbs through the highlands towards Piton de la Fournaise and Pas de Bellecombe. Most of the journey uses an ordinary paved road, and the road has a steadier climb than RN5 and fewer tight bends. You do not need an SUV simply to drive from Bourg-Murat towards the volcano.
The road surface changes near Plaine des Sables. After Pas des Sables, the approach continues over dust and gravel towards Pas de Bellecombe. Extra clearance can help on uneven sections.
For a trip that includes both coastal and mountain drives, book a car rental in Réunion with Final Rentals. You can compare compact, economy, and standard groups, with unlimited mileage included. Collision Damage Waiver and Third-Party Liability Insurance are also included.
Maïdo involves another long climb, but you can reach the viewpoint by car. The drive rises from the west coast towards about 2,200 metres. You pass villages and highland forest before reaching the viewpoint area. A hatchback with suitable engine power is normally enough.
RN3, also called Route des Plaines, links Saint-Pierre and Saint-Benoît across the highlands. It passes La Plaine-des-Palmistes and Bourg-Murat over about 58 kilometres. Higher sections can bring fog and cooler conditions than the coast. On the coast, priorities change. Around Saint-Denis, Saint-Gilles, and Saint-Pierre, parking and traffic matter more than ground clearance.
For a couple, a hatchback is usually practical with one or two normal suitcases. You keep compact dimensions while still reaching the main mountain driving routes. Families should check rear-seat space and boot capacity together. Child seats, pushchairs, and suitcases can quickly use up space. Make sure everyone can travel comfortably without filling the entire cabin. For four or five adults, actual cabin space matters more than a SUV. A very small crossover may offer little more luggage room than a conventional hatchback.
Réunion has public parking near beaches, hiking areas, and highland attractions. Larger towns can have both free and paid parking, depending on the location. A smaller car is easier to park in Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. An SUV can offer more passenger comfort when several people spend hours in the car. Decide whether you would rather manage less storage or a larger car at each stop.
Check each planned route before choosing the right car for Réunion. Mountain scenery does not automatically mean you need an SUV. Tourist roads can also have very different surfaces. Check whether each final approach is paved. The volcano route is the clearest example, as the section after Pas des Sables contains gravel and dust.
Read the rental contract before driving on rough surfaces. Ground clearance does not override road restrictions or insurance terms. Check what your booking permits before you leave paved roads. Before your mountain trip, check the current access information.
When choosing the best car for Réunion Island, aim for enough space, adequate power, and manageable dimensions. A smaller car can make narrow roads and parking simpler, but extra space may matter more for families and hikers.
Rent a car in Réunion with Final Rentals and choose a car type that fits your route, luggage, and passenger needs. Unlimited mileage is included, so you can plan longer mountain and coastal drives without worrying about distance limits. You also get a 1-hour grace period when returning the car. Book and manage your car rental anytime. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
For most tourists, a compact hatchback with adequate power is the best car for Réunion Island because the main tourist roads are generally suitable for normal cars. Choose an SUV when you need more luggage capacity, passenger room, or clearance for permitted rougher sections, such as the later volcano approach.
No. You do not normally need an SUV simply to reach Cilaos or Salazie. Both use established roads, although Cilaos has numerous bends and tunnels, and Salazie has winding mountain sections. A hatchback can suit both routes, provided it has adequate power for steep gradients, and your passengers and luggage fit comfortably.
Driving an automatic car is often easier if you want fewer gear changes on steep, winding roads, while a manual gives you direct control of the selected gear. Whichever you choose, use appropriate gearing and engine braking on long descents instead of relying continuously on the brakes. Choose the transmission you already know best when both options are available.
