Europcar vs Thrifty:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Europcar had more branded searches than Thrifty among car rental companies in Australia. Europcar had about 60,500 branded searches, while Thrifty had 22,200. Europcar made up 17.3% of all car rental company searches we track, and Thrifty accounted for 6.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about car rental companies, Europcar appeared in two of the five answers and Thrifty in one. Europcar and Thrifty were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Europcar, about 3 searches for every 1 for Thrifty
Who does AI mention more?
Europcar, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Thrifty in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top car rental companies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Europcar was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Thrifty was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Europcar and Thrifty were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sixt5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Budget5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
East Coast Car Rentals5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hertz4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Avis4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Europcar2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Thrifty1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about car rental companies
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which car rental company should I use in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best car hire companies in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the cheapest car hire company at Australian airports?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“car rental”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“car hire”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Europcar or Thrifty more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Europcar and Thrifty by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven car rental companies we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Europcar, Thrifty. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hertz | Europcar | Sixt | Avis | Budget | East Coast Car Rentals | Thrifty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.1% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 11.1% | 6.1% | 5% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.2% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 5.9% | 4.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.6% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 11% | 13.4% | 7.3% | 4.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.7% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 6.8% | 4.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.4% | 15.9% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 5.8% | 3.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.7% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 15.6% | 12.7% | 7% | 4.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.4% | 14.5% | 14.5% | 11.9% | 14.5% | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| May 2026 | 32% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 11.7% | 7.9% | 5.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 29% | 16% | 16% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.2% | 16.8% | 16.8% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 7.5% | 6.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 23.7% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 7.1% | 5.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 21.2% | 17.3% | 17.3% | 14.2% | 14.2% | 9.5% | 6.4% |
How has the Europcar and Thrifty comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Europcar was ahead of Thrifty in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Europcar’s share of searches among car rental companies in Australia moved from 13.6% to 17.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thrifty’s share of searches among car rental companies in Australia moved from 5% to 6.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 22.2K.
How did search popularity change for Australia car rental companies in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Europcar overtook Avis and Budget to rank 2nd among car rental companies in Australia, with 17.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, Thrifty gained share of searches among car rental companies in Australia, from 5.8% to 6.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Europcar’s and Thrifty’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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