Fleet
SUV Rental in Aruba: Which Size for Families and Groups
Guljar Hosen
Updated 26 Sep 2026 · 5 min read
The right size SUV in Aruba depends on two numbers: how many people ride, and how many bags come with them.
This guide matches Real Deal's SUVs and minivan to family and group sizes, with the seats, the luggage and the from-rates.
Key takeaways
- The Ford Explorer seats 6, the Kia Sorento seats 7, and the Ford Expedition and Kia Carnival each seat 8.
- For 9 to 12 people, the Hyundai H-1 van seats 12.
- The booking system lists 2 luggage for the SUVs, so a full group with big suitcases should size up.
- Seven-day rates start at $114.99 a day (Sorento) in low season, before tax, and fall as the rental gets longer.
- Every vehicle is an automatic with A/C, and delivery to your hotel or the airport is free.
The short answer
Count the people first, then count the suitcases.
Up to 6 people, book the Ford Explorer. For 7, the Kia Sorento. For 8, the Ford Expedition or the Kia Carnival. For 9 to 12, the Hyundai H-1 van. If everyone has a large suitcase, go one size up, because the booking system lists 2 luggage for each SUV.
Seats, luggage and rates are from Real Deal's booking system, low-season rates before tax, checked 22 Sep 2026. Your exact price for your dates shows at booking.
Seats, luggage and rates side by side
All five are automatics with A/C, so the choice is about space and price.
| Vehicle | Seats | Luggage (booking system) | 1 day | 7 days, per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer | 6 | 2 | from $159.99 | from $124.99 |
| Kia Sorento | 7 | 2 | from $149.99 | from $114.99 |
| Ford Expedition | 8 | 2 | from $169.99 | from $119.99 |
| Kia Carnival | 8 | 2 | from $169.99 | from $119.99 |
| Hyundai H-1 van | 12 | 2 | from $179.99 | from $119.99 |
Low season, before tax. High-season rates are higher and your exact price shows for your dates. See the fleet page for the current list.
Which size for which group
Match the vehicle to the group, not the other way round.
1: 2 to 4 people
An SUV is more space than you need. Look at the Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator if you want an open-air ride, or the Explorer if you want the back seats free for bags.
2: 5 to 6 people
The 6-seat Ford Explorer works, and the 7-seat Kia Sorento leaves a seat spare for the beach bags and the cooler.
3: 7 to 8 people
The Kia Sorento takes 7. The Ford Expedition and the Kia Carnival take 8, and they cost the same on a 7-day rental.
4: 9 to 12 people
The Hyundai H-1 van seats 12, so one vehicle can carry a wedding party, a reunion or two families together.
Groups often ask whether two smaller cars beat one big one. Two cars need two drivers and two parking spots at the hotel, so check the hotel's parking before you decide. Our guide to renting a car in Palm Beach, Aruba covers hotel parking and pick-up.
Luggage: the number that surprises groups
Seats are not the limit. Suitcases are.
Count large bags, not people.
The booking system lists 2 luggage for each SUV, so a group of 7 with 7 suitcases will not fit the back of a Sorento.
Fold-down seats change the answer.
In the larger SUVs the back rows can hold luggage when you are not full. Tell us your group size and bags before you book and we will confirm the fit.
Coming from a cruise ship?
You carry a day bag, not suitcases, so an Explorer or Sorento covers most cruise groups. See renting a car in Aruba from a cruise ship.
Arriving by air with a big group?
Read renting a car at Aruba airport for the pick-up steps, and choose the delivery option that suits your flight.
SUV, Jeep or van?
A Jeep is for fun, an SUV is for space, a van is for numbers.
Jeeps are open-air and popular for the coast, but they seat fewer people and have less room for bags. If the priority is a group that rides together in comfort, an SUV or the van is the better choice. For the full comparison, read Should I rent a car in Aruba? and How to choose a car rental in Aruba. Rules on driving and parking are in our guide to driving in Aruba.
Frequently asked questions
What size SUV do I need for a family of five in Aruba?
A 6-seat Ford Explorer or 7-seat Kia Sorento fits five people, and the spare seats give the bags somewhere to go. Book the Sorento if you want a seat to spare.
Which Real Deal vehicle seats the most people?
The Hyundai H-1 van seats 12. Among the SUVs, the Ford Expedition and the Kia Carnival seat 8 each.
How much does an SUV rental cost in Aruba?
In low season, the seven-day rate starts at $114.99 a day for the Sorento and $124.99 for the Explorer, before tax. One-day rates start at $149.99 and the price falls as you add days. Your exact price for your dates shows before you pay.
Are the SUVs automatic?
Yes. Every SUV and the van are automatic and come with air conditioning.
Can you deliver an SUV to my hotel?
Yes. Real Deal delivers free to hotels and to the airport, and you can also choose the cruise port. Add the address when you book.
Should I rent a Jeep or an SUV for a group?
Choose an SUV or the van when seats and luggage matter most. Jeeps are open-air and better for a couple or small group. See the [fleet page](/fleet) to compare.
Written by
Founder and CEO of NeoDimensional LLC, the software engineer and designer behind Real Deal's website and booking system.
