We’ve got another reason to celebrate.
East Coast Car Rentals has been named Top Value Direct Car Hire in Finder’s 2026 Customer Satisfaction Awards, recognising the value and experience we deliver to customers travelling across Australia.
We also received Loved Brand recognition in the Direct Car Hire category, making this an especially exciting result for our team.
The Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards are based on feedback from Australian consumers, with more than 50,000 Australians contributing ratings across the 2026 awards program. Brands are assessed across measures including value, trust, customer service and overall satisfaction.
For us, that makes this recognition particularly meaningful: it comes directly from the experiences of Australian customers.
What does Top Value Direct Car Hire mean?
When you’re hiring a car, value isn’t simply about finding the lowest advertised daily rate.
It’s about what you get for your money – from the booking process and the vehicle you drive to the service you receive along the way.
At East Coast Car Rentals, we’ve always believed great value should come without unnecessary surprises. And when you book direct, you’re dealing directly with the people providing your rental – from booking through to getting you on the road.
Being recognised by Finder as Top Value Direct Car Hire for 2026 makes that particularly meaningful to us.
Another customer satisfaction win in 2026
This latest recognition follows another major milestone for East Coast Car Rentals earlier this year.
We were named Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Hire Cars 2026, receiving five-star ratings for overall satisfaction, customer service, value for money, vehicle condition, digital experience and process efficiency and flexibility.
Read more about our Canstar Blue 2026 award.
Together, these awards recognise something that matters enormously to us: the experience and value our customers receive when they choose East Coast.
Value that goes beyond the daily rate
For more than four decades, East Coast Car Rentals has helped Australians and international visitors get on the road and explore more of the country.
Today, we operate 14 locations across Australia with a diverse fleet spanning compact cars, SUVs, hybrids, premium vehicles, people movers, and more.
And while plenty has changed since our early days, our focus on providing customers with great value and genuinely helpful service hasn’t.
East Coast Car Rentals Chief Marketing Officer Ben Whitmore said the Finder recognition reflected the work of teams across the business.
“Value has always been about more than simply offering a competitive daily rate. It’s about the whole rental experience – what customers receive for their money, how they’re treated and how easy we can make their journey.
“To be named Finder’s Top Value Direct Car Hire, particularly following our Canstar Blue customer satisfaction recognition earlier this year, is something our entire team can be incredibly proud of.”
Thank you to our customers
Awards are lovely to receive, but knowing they’re driven by the experiences and opinions of customers makes them even more special.
So, to everyone who has chosen East Coast Car Rentals for a road trip, airport arrival, weekend away, business trip or every day journey: thank you.
And to our teams across Australia who help make those journeys happen every day, this one belongs to you too.
Here’s to plenty more kilometres ahead.