Driving a car in Singapore gives you the freedom to gather your kids, pets or golf clubs and hit the road at your leisure. And let’s not forget school and co-curricular runs! However, with the COE (Certificate of Entitlement) price currently so high – over $123,800 for a Category A car at the time of writing! – why buy when you could get a short- or long-term car rental? Especially if you’re not sure how long you’ll be staying. Then it’s just a matter of turning up the music, blasting the air-con and exploring the island! Here are some readers’ experiences of renting a car in Singapore.
Seamless car rental with ComfortDelGro Rent-A-Car
Adam Bozeman, American
“I have been living in Singapore with my wife and two sons for the last three and a half years, after being in Shanghai for seven years.
With its amazing public transportation system and plentiful taxis, Singapore is a place where you don’t truly need a car. We didn’t have one before May 2025, but with changes in family logistics, renting a car in Singapore has added convenience and flexibility to our busy family life.
We were looking for an affordable option with seven seats for space when family visits or for our kids’ friends – or the option to fold the back seats down for golf clubs, camping gear and so on. Finding the right car was straightforward with ComfortDelGro Rent-A-Car. The team took the time to understand our needs and our budget, and came back with a solid option.
What has stood out is how easy they are to work with – flexible around our schedule, quick to respond, and the scheduled maintenance process has been simple to arrange.
I have been leasing a 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander from them, and it has been reliable and comfortable. Overall, driving in Singapore has been a great experience and finding parking is never a challenge.”
What is your dream car? “My last car in the US was a 1999 Jeep Cherokee, which I loved as it was fun and easy to drive. But they’re hard to find, so I’ll stick with the Outlander – it has everything I could ask for in a car.”
6882 0882 | sales@cdgrentacar.com.sg | cdgrentacar.com.sg
Renting a car with FASST Leasing
Stephen Thomas McArthur, Scottish
“Having spent 24 years in Asia, including 17 wonderful years in Singapore, together with my husband Paul and our Pekingese Zoey, we are relocating to London in early July due to Paul’s job move.
For the past two years, we have been leasing a car in Singapore – an electric BYD Atto 3 – through FASST Leasing. We chose it because its space-age aesthetic, practical SUV stance, large boot and cutting-edge technology completely outshone other brands. Driving it is a joy! The fantastic voice command system lets us safely adjust the air-con, radio, windows and sunroof hands-free, while keeping our hands on the wheel when driving in Singapore.
Our outstanding experience is entirely thanks to the FASST car rental team who have exceeded our expectations from our very first conversation. The customer service is incredibly responsive and helpful, giving us complete peace of mind. They always go the extra mile, even delivering a replacement vehicle straight to our home during servicing, and returning our car within the same day. This high level of reliability ensures our daily work and personal schedules are never disrupted.
What really sets them apart is how they organise customer experience events every few months. As expats, these gatherings allow us to meet new people, build connections and try new experiences, making us feel truly settled here.
Knowing that the car rental company is backed by Sime Motors – a recognised leader in the automotive industry with a strong reputation – gives us immense confidence.”
What is your dream car? “While a Bentley remains my dream car, leasing a car with FASST has been a flawless journey. We cannot recommend them highly enough!”
1800 7344 646 | fasst.simemotors.com.sg/fasst-leasing
On the road again with XpatMotor
Launched in 2005, XpatMotor is relaunching its services this year. Founder RAINER PTASZNIK tells us what’s in store.
“When my family arrived from Australia in 1999, navigating Singapore’s complex, high-cost car market felt nearly impossible. Recognising that other expats faced these exact same headaches, I founded one of Singapore’s very first expat services for buying, selling or leasing a car in Singapore. It grew rapidly because families needed honest, transparent guidance.
Family reasons took us back to Australia, but the market gap remained. In 2026, after living in Singapore three times over 25 years, I saw families still struggling with these same challenges. I decided to step back into the driver’s seat to support our expat community.
We are launching again to make buying, selling or leasing a car in Singapore completely stress-free. It’s fuelled by a passion to give back to a community and country that has been amazing to my family. This time, I’m proud to partner with my trusted business ally, Kenneth Teo, and my son Oliver, to guide you every step of the way.
XpatMotor offers tailor-made paths to buy, sell and lease with global mobility services from our Singapore and Australian teams. We hold no inventory; instead, we scour the market to find the best car for you. You’ll still enjoy 24/7 breakdown and maintenance support for peace of mind.”
6994 2131 | WhatsApp 9383 6772
service@xpatmotor.com | xpatmotor.com
These recommendations on renting a car for driving in Singapore first appeared in the August 2026 edition of Expat Living. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.
To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free! We’ve also rounded up the best things to do in Singapore with friends and family.
Interested in our editorial options? Email us at sales@expatliving.sg.
