5 Reasons to Rent a Subaru Instead of a Regular Car

Choosing a car for a trip around Montenegro isn't just a comfort question — it directly affects how safe and relaxed you'll feel on serpentine roads, mountain passes, and narrow coastal lanes. Here's why Subaru consistently comes out ahead.

1. Symmetrical AWD as standard, not an add-on

Most rental cars in the economy and mid-range segments are front-wheel drive — plenty for a flat highway, but limited on steep climbs and wet corners. On Subaru, all-wheel drive is a standard feature across the whole range, not an option you pay extra for.

2. More clearance for Montenegro's roads

Some rural and mountain roads in Montenegro aren't perfectly smooth, with surface damage or unevenness here and there. Extra ground clearance reduces the risk of damage to the car and gives the driver more confidence on that kind of terrain.

3. Reliability that doesn't change with the season

Subaru is known for mechanical reliability regardless of conditions — from a hot summer drive along the coast to a cold morning on Durmitor. That means less worrying about the car and more time for the trip itself.

4. Safety systems that actually help

Vehicles fitted with the EyeSight safety suite include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and pre-collision braking — systems that really earn their keep on long drives and unfamiliar roads.

5. Confidence on cobblestones and wet old-town streets

Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi — all have narrow cobbled lanes that turn slick when wet. Better traction means an easier time getting in and out of those zones, especially with luggage or a family in tow.

Which Subaru model fits which trip

If you're mostly staying on the coast and planning shorter trips between nearby towns, a more compact AWD model is plenty, and it's easier to park on the narrow streets of the old towns. If you're planning longer routes north, toward Durmitor or Bjelasica, a larger model with more luggage space and a setup built for longer drives suits that kind of trip better, especially with several people and luggage on board.

Where AWD makes the biggest difference

• Pulling away uphill on wet or icy surfaces: all-wheel drive cuts down on wheel slip when starting from a stop
• Crossing gravel or unpaved stretches: some rural roads in the interior aren't fully paved
• Driving in the rain on coastal switchbacks: better traction means a more secure line through bends
• Getting in and out of uneven parking areas or accommodation driveways — particularly in more rural areas where access roads aren't always in top condition

What to check when comparing rental offers

When choosing a car, don't just look at the daily rate — check whether AWD is genuinely standard on the model you're booking or offered as a pricier upgrade, what the insurance excess situation looks like, and whether the car is an older generation without modern safety systems. The difference in driving experience between a base model and a car with full safety equipment shows up most on longer or more demanding routes.

Who gets the most out of a Subaru

If you plan to stay strictly on the flat coastal road between a few towns, the difference between vehicles is smaller. But if your plans include even one trip inland — Durmitor, Skadar Lake, Lovćen, or the mountain viewpoints above the bay — a car with AWD and higher ground clearance makes the drive noticeably more relaxed and predictable, whatever the weather does that day.

Bottom line

For a flat highway drive, almost any car will do. But for real Montenegro driving — climbs, serpentines, and changeable weather — a Subaru with AWD isn't a luxury. It's the sensible choice. Virage Montecito rents several Subaru models, from more compact cars suited to the coast to roomier models for longer routes inland — choose based on the kind of trip you're planning.