800 yen a day, really? How is it this different from other companies!?
We’ve mentioned several times before that “カルノリレンタカー is cheap,” but… some of you might still be wondering, is it really this much of a price breaker?
So here’s a big comparison of the daily rates for カルノリ versus major car-sharing services and major rental car companies!
| Service | Daily rate (approx.) |
|---|---|
| カルノリ | 800円 (per day when renting for 1 month) |
| Major car-sharing service | 6,600円 |
| Major rental car company | 7,260円 |
You’re probably thinking, “Wait, that’s a difference of more than 5,000 yen per day compared with other companies!” The secret is in the pricing system: the longer you rent, the cheaper it gets.
(※If you rent for just one day, it’s 4,000円; for one week, it’s 8,000円.)
目次
Detailed comparison of prices and vehicle classes
カルノリレンタカー has several vehicle classes, such as A Class, B Class, E Class, and F1 Class, with a wide range of options from “compact kei cars” to “family-friendly one-box vans.”
(This is an E Class Prius)
That said, “you generally can’t choose the specific model,” so think of these as examples of the kinds of cars you might get.
| Class | 1 day | 1 week | 1 month | Typical vehicle examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Class | 4,000円 (before tax) | 8,000円 1,143円 per day | 24,000円 800円 per day | Daihatsu Mira Cocoa, etc. (kei car) |
| B Class | 5,000円 (before tax) | 9,000円 1,285円 per day | 27,000円 900円 per day | Daihatsu Move, etc. (kei car) |
| E Class | 7,000円 (before tax) | Around 21,000円 3,857円 per day | 63,000円 2,100円 per day | Toyota Prius, etc. (standard car) |
| F1 Class | 7,000円 (before tax) | Around 21,000円 3,857円 per day | 63,000円 2,100円 per day | Nissan Serena, etc. (minivan type) |
In other words,
with A Class, even a 1-month rental is 24,000円 (800円 per day)
and with B Class, it’s 27,000円 for 1 month (900円 per day).
So basically, it’s a system where the longer you use it, the cheaper it gets.
Some of you might be worried, “If it’s that cheap, are the cars beat-up?” But…
Here’s what the cars I’ve driven have been like. I’ll show you several
As part of the collaboration between カルノリ and Nishitsu, Shachomi has switched between quite a few cars as reporting vehicles, so take a look.
Most of the cars had very few noticeable scratches. There are tiny scratches here and there, but hardly anything that bothers you.
They’re generally clean like this.
Every now and then, there’s a car with a somewhat noticeable scratch.
The inside looks like this. You can feel its age, but there’s no problem driving it.
Some cars also come with things like a steering wheel cover or smartphone holder.
This is A Class, but it’s roomy. And this clean.
The Serena is really spacious.
Apparently, the seats can be laid flat too.
Not bad at all.
I’ve driven quite a few of them, and because they’re inexpensive, they definitely aren’t brand-new. They do have the feel you’d expect from older cars, but basically, no problem at all. Considering the low price, I’m fully satisfied.
Common questions about カルノリレンタカー, summarized
I’ve put together some common questions and concerns.
(This condenses points we’ve covered in past articles too.)
- Q1: “Can you really not choose the vehicle model?”
A. That’s right. You can’t specify the exact model. For example, the categories are only things like “A Class means a kei car” or “E Class means a standard passenger car.” However, if you want something general like A Class = Mira Cocoa or Alto, B Class = Move or Wagon R, or if you want to “roughly get a kei car” or “use a minivan,” then choosing by class is fine. - Q2: “It’s almost too cheap. Is it really okay? Will it break down?”
A. As part of the Nishitsu collaboration, Shachomi has changed cars through カルノリ more than 8 times by now, and there has been not a single problem! Of course, they’re used cars, so there are some scratches and signs of age, but maintenance for safety is solid. Right before you rent, they also check the battery voltage and vehicle condition, so you can feel at ease. - Q3: “What about insurance?”
A. This is fine too, since the cars are covered by insurance based on the rental car regulations. Basic coverage is included, but there may be cases where a deductible applies in the event of an accident, so please confirm in advance.
(They’ll explain the important details at the shop, so ask your questions there!) - Q4: “What about ETC or navigation?”
