While many flock to the French Riviera and other sophisticated, culturally rich regions of the Mediterranean each summer, knowledgeable world travelers know that Britain’s southern countryside offers charms all its own. Better still, commercial flights to Heathrow or private jet charters to Stansted or London City from the East Coast are quick and seamless. Even jaunts from Chicago, Houston, or Los Angeles can touch down in 8, 9.5, or 10.5 hours, respectively.
Yet, historically, the pampered service that begins a trip to the U.K. in a premium airline cabin—be it first class, business class, or even premium economy—is always interrupted as travelers wait in sometimes painfully long queues and are forced to suffer the tedious paperwork required to take possession of a rental car. Adding insult to injury, those temporary wheels are often uninspiring (and sometimes unfamiliar)—brands such as Skoda, Citroen, Peugeot, and Vauxhall.
Fortunately, that’s where THE OUT comes in.
Motivated to remedy all those aforementioned hassles and detriments that can at least temporarily mar a British holiday—especially for discerning American jet-setters—THE OUT, which was powered by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), offers a luxurious, white-glove service that makes renting a vehicle in Great Britain just that: a great experience. “This is what car rental should be,” says Managing Director John Murphy. “You. A road trip. And the car you actually wanted to drive.”
That brings us to the vehicles that make up THE OUT’s fleet.
As a subsidiary of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), THE OUT can offer access to a slew of modern, luxury 4x4s, including all iterations of the Range Rover (the original, sport, Velar, Evoque, and the seven-seat LWB model), not to mention all Land Rover variants (Discovery, Discovery Sport, Defender 90, Defender 110, and Defender 130). The Defenders, in particular, have proven to be exceptionally popular—and for good reason. With a quintessential British style, these rugged SUVs blend seamlessly into the British countryside, and there’s a model to fit any size family and any amount of luggage that you may be bringing across the pond.
Think of it this way: If you’re renting a car to drive some of America’s most epochal highways, like Route 66, you don’t want to do it in a Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, or Toyota Camry. For those journeys, you want to slip behind the wheel of something assuredly American—a Ford Mustang, a Chevy Corvette, or a Dodge Challenger. Better still if you can accelerate down quintessential American interstates in a vintage model of those iconic cars.
And wouldn’t you know, THE OUT can deliver on that front too. While its collection of classic JLR vehicles is modest as of now, Britain’s most discerning and luxurious rental car service boasts access to five distinct, classic models—a 1989 Land Rover Defender 110 V8, a 1993 Range Rover Vogue, a 1997 Jaguar XJS, a 2014 Jaguar XK150, and a 2014 Land Rover Defender 110 XS.
In the case of the rental company’s modern vehicles, when you book with THE OUT, you’ll enjoy unlimited mileage; direct delivery and collection of the vehicle; the ability to add additional drivers free of charge; access to Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation; and full comprehensive insurance, regardless of which vehicle you choose. Also, thanks to the company’s digital booking process, you only need to flash your driver’s license, then you’re handed the keys and you’re on your way. In other words, you get peace of mind, plenty of bells and whistles, and the type of dedicated, first-class service that you’ve come to expect in all other facets of travel.
Suddenly, golfing getaways to the famous heathland courses scattered throughout Surrey’s sandbelt region are all the more attractive, as are the bucket-list jaunts to Sandwich Bay to play the region’s trio of Open Championship courses: Prince’s Golf Club, Royal Cinque Ports, and Royal St. George’s.
Maybe you’re keen to venture to the golden sandy beaches, rolling hills, and quaint seaside villages that characterize South Devon. If you yearn for exploration of hidden coves or the chance to unwind in a charming, British town full of its own fascinating history, doing so behind the wheel of a sophisticated and luxurious British SUV only elevates the experience.
Then again, the Cotswolds might be calling your name. The tranquil countryside, dotted with honey-colored stone cottages, has long been the destination for leisurely road trips of the well-informed. And, as you can probably expect, the many scenic routes that traverse the region are that much prettier when you can drive them while behind the wheel of a modern Land Rover, Range Rover, or—perhaps—a classic Jaguar.
What it all comes down to is the fact that vacations to Britain’s storied and sophisticated countryside are that much better when your rental car experience can match the elegance of your jet travel, not to mention the five-star resorts and luxurious estates and manors that you’ll temporarily call home. And when it comes to delivering that experience, THE OUT is your in to a brand-new rental car reality.