Lava Car Rental Reviews 3,723

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.4

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Review summary

Based on reviews, created with AI

Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently highlight the smooth and hassle-free user experience, from quick airport pickups and efficient processing times to easy drop-offs. Many people found the vehicles to be in great condition, clean, and well-suited for their travels, often praising the cars' performance and suitability for local conditions. The staff is often described as friendly, helpful, and providing excellent service. However, some customers were not happy with certain aspects of the service and product. A few people reported issues with the car's condition, such as non-working headlights, faulty wipers, or non-functional USB ports. There were also occasional mentions of staff being less expressive or not fully explaining car features like gas cards. A small number of reviewers experienced significant problems with tires, including multiple flats and issues with spare tires, leading to unexpected costs.

What people talk about most

Service

Clients share ambiguous opinions on service. Many reviewers praise the quick and hassle-free airport... See more

Product

Customers had ambiguous experiences with the product. Many reviewers praised the vehicles, describing them as... See more

Staff

Users describe ambiguous interactions with staff. Many customers praise the staff for being helpful,... See more

Quality

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about quality. While some customers received cars in great condition,... See more

User experience

People report positive experiences with user experience. Many customers describe the rental process as... See more

Based on these reviews

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Booked a Mitsubishi Eclipse for 12 days and paid for all the extras which we highly recommend. Pick up/drop off at the airport was good with quick processing time at the offices. The car was great; ju... See more

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Easy process overall. No credit card required, which is a major plus. Shuttle to and from the airport was great. Overall, happy with the process. The girl who checked me in on arrival was not super ex... See more

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

The Camper was spot clean and had everything to camp and live comfortable. The included key fob for fuel discount was nice. The check in process was a bit slow (rush hour). But they were really nic... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We hired a Toyota RAV4 for our 9 days circular road trip and got a free upgrade to a Toyota Land Cruiser which was superb for 4 adults with large suitcases. This can can easily fit 6 large cases if re... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Rented a Nissan 4WD from Lava Car Rental and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Pickup from the airport was quick and hassle-free, and the car was spotless and ready within minutes... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good morning, we used LAVA Car Rental from July 27th to August 3rd, 2025. The reservations, customer service, and clear information were top-notch. The airport shuttle was quick and efficient. Pi... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent experience with Lava Car Rental! We were collected from the airport and were on the road in our car within minutes. The car was in great condition, and perfect size for 5 adults and 5 suitca... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent experience with Lava Car Rental! We were collected from the airport and were on the road in our car within minutes. The car was in great condition, tyres were good (studded in case of winter... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We had a great experience renting our vehicle with Lava Car Rental in July. Great website and booking experience, shuttle to office near airport smooth and quick, car just what was expected and drop o... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Rental experience was smooth and completely hassle-free. We received exactly what we booked — an older model 4x4 Duster (2022) with full insurance — in excellent condition and equipped with studde... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Picked us from the airport ( 7 minute transfer) A very nice man was the driver and receptionist and helped us with the key collection ( you should receive a number to get your key from a box)... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

easy pick up from the departure gate, quick process to get vehicle, clean, and got advice on some of the traffic rules. The in car wifi was wonderful, in order to use google maps, and find gas station... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We spent 2 1/2 weeks in Iceland and we had that wonderful RAV4 from Lava. It turned out to be the ideal 4x4 for the island. The experience with Lava was super easy, never had such a simple drop-off be... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Horrible! Jonah the manager was completely rude to both my partners and I. They ‘upgraded’ our car to one with something broken on the underside of the car… we of course didn’t notice until driving aw... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great experience with Lava Car Rental! We had to call to be picked up at the airport and then, in a few minutes, we were on our way with our car, Dacia Duster 4x4. The car was in great condition, th... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Swift and helpful service on arrival during night 31.7.2025 and Emmanuel kindly handled the drop-off. They have very good online guides for where to arrive for the shuttle (video) and where to cal... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent car rental. They pick you up promptly at the airport. No long lines. We got a free upgrade to a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross S-AWC. A fantastic car. In short, highly recommended and not too expe... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They gave us the car with one of the tires worn out, and although we warned them about it, they did not want to change it. As expected, that tire went flat, and when we went to change it, the spare t... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very easy pick-off and drop-off process. I rented a Dacia Duster (2022) 4x4 and I felt very secure driving it. The staff at the rental office was friendly and very informative. I can highly recommend... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quick professional transfer to pick car up and drop back to airport. staff on pick up and drop off very excellent, they made it all so easy and hassle free - l would highly recommend

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Local car rental agency that knows the weather conditions of the country and provides you with exactly the model you choose. The video to reach the shuttle is very helpful.The staff is very welcoming,... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Worked excellent with great service. You will get picked up by the Lava Car rental shuttlebus outside the departure gate. They come every 10 min’ish👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very easy pick up & drop off service. Had great vehicle, just as chosen during online booking process. Near new vehicle hired car for 12 days, no hiccups at all. Would definitely use again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

From pick up to drop off, everything was so perfect and smooth. The car that I got was in great condition. Also, shuttle service to the airport was cool. The greatest thing was the price. Lava car ren... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

They always informed us in advance, what we have to do (by pick up, and returning the car) and everything was exactly so, how they wrote! They picked us up in airport after a couple of minutes and... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Lava Rental was an important part of our trip to Iceland. Thank you for the car, which was up to the task. Special thanks to Joanna, who devoted her time and assistance to us. We will recommend you as... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The car was super comfortable, and the booking experience easy and fast. Emanuel in the counter was very helpfull and gave us lot of use full tips to go around the island

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Car had frozen brakes and boot, they gave us a new car and was driving off within minutes. Pick up and drop off was perfect. Definitely recommend this company

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A very good car rental company in Iceland Both check-in and out went smoothly. They check the car conditions before and after car rental. The staff were nice, everything was smooth. I will probabl... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

We got a free upgrade to a Toyota Land Cruiser. The handover and return went smoothly. They also asked during the rental period if everything was ok. We were very satisfied.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Transfer from airport to car station is well organized. Smooth, fast and simple handover. Returning the car was just as quick and easy.

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The shuttle signs at the airport are not clear. The driver who picked us was rude and the employee at the car rental matched the overall rudeness. The car was old and run down. Customer service is no... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A great and uncomplicated car rental experience. It all went as smooth as possible! I could only highly recommend Lava Car Rental.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything went smooth, from late pickup to late return. We drove more than 2.000 km and had no problems at all. We booked a Suzuki Vitara but got upgraded to a Suzuki S-Cross. Can totally recommend... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The car was clean and, as far as I can tell, in perfect condition. Pick-up and return went smoothly. Highly recommended.

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We rented a Mitsubishi Eclipse from Lava Car Rental in August 2025. Within just three days, the car had three separate tire failures. This clearly proves the vehicle was handed over in an u... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

If I could give a minus rating I would. It took 30 minutes for pick up and the person picking up said watch the video which was wrong. Warning lights came on in the card which i had to deal w... See more

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Easy checkin, easy check out no fuss. We waited like 10 minutes before the shuttle arrived and 15 more minutes to get the car. But apart from that everything was well arranged and car was also soli... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Emanuel in the counter was super helpfull and really nice. The car was excelent, and we didn´t have any problem in our trip.

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Pick up and drop off was easy. Loved the WiFi in the car! There is a discount on 2 gas stations when you use them.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We had an amazing road trip through Iceland, but our experience with Lava Car Rental was a major letdown. Despite purchasing their Full Protection Service, we ended up paying out of pock... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I requested GPS and wifi for our rental. We had to go back and ask for the wifi as they didn't give it to us when we picked up the car. The GPS didn't work, we paid extra for a GPS that couldn't ev... See more

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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Hired a Qashqai for 5 days. The car was great and allowed us the freedom to do what we wanted. The price was cheaper than other places but no difference in vehicle. I would recommend them to anyone.

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Very good experience, smiling and efficient service. The car was far from new but everything went well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Positive: We were upgraded to a better car. Clean and fresh car. Quick responses to emails. Negative: Long wait in the rain for the shuttle. Car not fully fueled at pick-up

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Car had more scratches than the contract showed. Lava did not want to revise the contract. Some hassle at the start but car was ok and upon return no hassle.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Most worst service. Staff behaviour was third class , even don’t know how to talk with customer!! They hv given car with so many damages and car was hybrid but their batteries were not serviced. T... See more

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They asked me for 100€ because at the return of the car, even though I had already spent an exorbitant amount even for full insurance, there were crumbs in the back seats. With three children in 10 ri... See more

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Rated 3 out of 5 stars

The rental car located away from the airport, and have to wait for their shuttle service to pick you, not the most convenient option. The car received was not at the best condition, and was not clean... See more

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have a problem with my tire. We are trying to reach the agency for 2hours ago and nobody answer the phone, call me back or answer my emails. For the moment it is a horrible experience with Lava C... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Car Rental Agency
  2. Car Leasing Service
  3. Recreational Vehicle Rental Agency
  4. Van Rental Agency

Written by the company

Experience Iceland with Lava Car Rental. We offer brand new rental cars, 4x4 and Campers for your Iceland trip. We offer a high class service and great prices.


Contact info

4.4

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4K reviews

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Replied to 63% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very poor and frustrating experience.

Very poor and frustrating experience.
Despite purchasing full protection insurance, I was given a car with over 108,000 km, with worn tires and clearly damaged tools. The wheel nut wrench provided was already worn out and could not properly grip the bolts.
When I had a flat tire, it was impossible to remove the wheel. Even a professional roadside mechanic struggled for around 20 minutes using proper equipment. The wheel was completely stuck and had to be forcefully removed. This was clearly not a normal situation and would have been impossible to handle alone, especially in a remote area.
I was charged 925€ for roadside assistance, and despite providing evidence (including video), the company refused to reimburse the cost.
This raises serious concerns about vehicle maintenance and the actual value of their “full protection” coverage.
I strongly advise anyone renting from this company to carefully check the condition of the tires, bodywork, and especially the tools provided for emergencies. Also, take detailed videos of the vehicle at pickup, as this may be essential later.
Proceed with caution when dealing with this company.

28 March 2026
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Mario,

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re really sorry to hear about the difficulty you experienced with the flat tyre – we understand how stressful that must have been, especially in such conditions.

While our vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained regardless of mileage, what you described with the wheel being stuck and the tool not performing properly is not something we expect. It’s clear this was not a typical situation.

Our roadside assistance is there to help in these cases, and the fee reflects the nature of emergency services in Iceland. That said, after reviewing your case and the evidence you provided, we agreed that this situation was exceptional, and we have refunded the roadside assistance cost accordingly.

We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, as it helps us keep improving and ensuring our vehicles and equipment meet the standards our customers expect.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quick Efficient Checkin and Checkout

Quick checkin and return process! Excellent drop off service! Helpful staff!

23 March 2026
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you found both the check-in and return process quick and easy. Making everything smooth and stress-free—especially after a flight—is exactly what we aim for.

It’s also great to know our team made a positive impression and that the drop-off service worked perfectly for you. We’ll be sure to share your feedback with them.

We’d love to welcome you back on your next trip to Iceland!

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Hired a Qashqai for 5 days

Hired a Qashqai for 5 days. The car was great and allowed us the freedom to do what we wanted. The price was cheaper than other places but no difference in vehicle. I would recommend them to anyone.

13 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that the Qashqai gave you the freedom to explore Iceland at your own pace — that’s exactly what we aim for.

It’s great to know you found good value without compromising on quality, as we work hard to offer modern, well-maintained vehicles at competitive prices.

We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on your next Iceland adventure!

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything went exactly as hoped

Everything went exactly as hoped. No problems.

1 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Robert,

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re very glad to hear that everything went exactly as hoped and that your rental experience went smoothly from start to finish. Providing reliable vehicles and an easy, hassle-free process is exactly what we aim for so our customers can simply enjoy their time exploring Iceland.

We appreciate you choosing Lava Car Rental and hope to welcome you again on your next trip.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Debit card!

I don’t have a credit card, for most of the rentals youll need a creditcard.
But at lavarental, a debit card was just enough!
That helped me a lot
Also Great contact between company an I
10/10

18 February 2026
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Quincy,

Thank you for your great review! We’re really glad to hear that being able to use a debit card made the rental process easier for you. We know that many travellers don’t always have a credit card, so offering the option to book with a debit card helps make renting a car in Iceland simpler and more accessible.

It’s also great to hear that you had good communication with our team. Providing clear and helpful support before and during the rental is something we always aim for, so it’s wonderful to know it made a difference during your trip.

We’re delighted that everything worked out so well for you, and we truly appreciate the 10/10 rating!

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fast and easy

Transfer from airport to car station is well organized. Smooth, fast and simple handover. Returning the car was just as quick and easy.

6 February 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Frifolin,

Thank you for your kind words. We’re delighted to hear that the transfer from the airport to our station was well organised and that both the handover and return process were smooth, fast and simple.

Being just 5 minutes from Keflavík Airport allows us to keep everything running efficiently, and our goal is always to make the car rental the easiest part of your trip — from arrival to departure.

We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again on your next visit to Iceland.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Rented a Nissan 4WD from Lava Car…

Rented a Nissan 4WD from Lava Car Rental and the entire experience was smooth from start to finish. Pickup from the airport was quick and hassle-free, and the car was spotless and ready within minutes. The vehicle performed perfectly across Iceland’s roads, including longer drives, with zero issues. Drop-off was just as easy, even early in the morning. Clear communication, no stress, and exactly what you want when renting a car in Iceland. Would definitely recommend.

18 January 2026
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Suriyaa,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us — we’re really glad to hear everything ran smoothly from start to finish.

It’s great to know that the airport pick-up was quick and hassle-free, and that your Nissan 4WD was spotless and ready to go within minutes. We put a lot of care into keeping our vehicles modern, clean, and well maintained, so it’s brilliant to hear the car performed perfectly across Iceland’s roads, even on longer drives.

We’re also pleased the drop-off process was just as easy, even early in the morning. Our goal is always to make the car the easiest part of the trip, with clear communication and no unnecessary stress.

Thanks again for the recommendation — it really means a lot to our team. We’d be happy to welcome you back on your next adventure in Iceland.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Car hire

Quick professional transfer to pick car up and drop back to airport. staff on pick up and drop off very excellent, they made it all so easy and hassle free - l would highly recommend

8 January 2026
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear the transfer was quick and that pick-up and drop-off went smoothly. It’s great to know our team helped make the process straightforward and hassle-free — that’s exactly what we aim for.

We appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again in Iceland.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Picked us from the airport ( 7 minute…

Picked us from the airport ( 7 minute transfer)
A very nice man was the driver and receptionist and helped us with the key collection ( you should receive a number to get your key from a box)
Car was great and even came with 2 x ice scrapers.
Drop off was easy and speedy transfer back to the airport.
No complaints!
Unfortunately we left a pair of my gloves (Rab black) in the car.
If you read this and wish to return them please do, or if you see an employee wearing them I hope they appreciate them!

30 December 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Lee,

Thank you so much for your lovely review — we’re really happy to hear that everything went smoothly, from the quick airport transfer to the easy key collection and drop-off. It’s great to know our team made you feel welcome and that the car (and ice scrapers!) did the job.

Regarding the gloves, thank you for mentioning it here. Lost items do sometimes turn up, and we’d be glad to check for you. Please feel free to get in touch with us directly by email at info@lavacarrental.is with your rental details, and we’ll do our best to help.

Thanks again for choosing us — we hope to welcome you back to Iceland one day.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very good experience, I highly recommend.

Local car rental agency that knows the weather conditions of the country and provides you with exactly the model you choose. The video to reach the shuttle is very helpful.The staff is very welcoming, as are all Icelanders by the way.

13 December 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Dino,

Thank you for the great review! We’re pleased to hear that you appreciated getting the exact model you booked and that our local knowledge of Icelandic weather made a difference to your trip.

It’s also great to know that the shuttle video was helpful and that our team made you feel welcome — we’ll happily take that Icelandic friendliness compliment.

Thanks for choosing us, and we hope to see you back in Iceland soon.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Horrible

Horrible! Jonah the manager was completely rude to both my partners and I. They ‘upgraded’ our car to one with something broken on the underside of the car… we of course didn’t notice until driving away, since we arrived in the night and had to chisel our way into the car in the middle of the night since they decided not to start any of the cars in the lot… they of course charged us for their damage. Extremely unimpressed and completely unprofessional. Use any other car service. We rent cars for travel frequently and this by far was the worst experience.

20 December 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Kelsea,

Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear how disappointing this felt and we take feedback like this seriously.

We’re concerned to read about your interaction with our team, as respectful and professional communication is something we expect at all times. Your comments have been shared internally so they can be reviewed properly.

Regarding the vehicle, any upgrade is always intended to improve the rental experience, never to cause inconvenience. If a customer notices any damage or unusual issue — whether at pick-up or shortly after driving away — we always ask that it’s reported and photographed straight away. This allows us to address the situation fairly and transparently while the rental is ongoing.

As for night-time winter pick-ups, vehicles are not kept running in the car park. With several hundred cars on site, leaving them all running would be environmentally irresponsible and unnecessary. In cold conditions, this can mean cars may need a moment to get going, but they are regularly checked and maintained to ensure they are safe and roadworthy.

We understand how frustrating this experience must have been, especially for frequent travellers. If you’d like us to review the damage charge in more detail, we’d be happy to do so if you contact us directly with your booking information.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Photography trip around…

Our eight-day photography trip around Iceland was perfect, thanks in part to the team at Lava Car Rental. Everything—from the airport transfer to picking up the car, returning the vehicle, and the shuttle back to the airport—went flawlessly. Their support when we had an issue with a tire was also excellent and extremely fast, so all praise goes to the entire team, especially Joana. We will definitely see each other again on our next adventure in Iceland.

15 November 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Tomaz,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We’re delighted to hear that your eight-day photography trip went so smoothly and that our team helped make the journey effortless from start to finish. It’s great to know the airport shuttle, pick-up and return process all worked seamlessly for you — that’s exactly the kind of ease we aim to provide.

I’m especially pleased that our team could assist quickly when you had an issue with a tyre. We truly appreciate your trust and can’t wait to welcome you back for your next Icelandic adventure.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

One of the Worst Rental Experiences of My Life — Please Read Before Choosing Lava Car Rental

I rarely write long reviews, but what happened with Lava Car Rental during my trip to Iceland absolutely needs to be shared.

1. First Breakdown – Slow Response & Unhelpful Attitude

During the first incident, when our vehicle malfunctioned, I called Lava for assistance & spoke with Joanna. Her impatience was obvious even in our brief conversation. We followed her instructions & emailed the required information immediately. We received no assistance from her. Only 30 minutes later did another staff member call us —by which time we had already solved the issue ourselves.

2. Second Breakdown – Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere

Seven days later, our car broke down again in northern Iceland. We followed the same procedure & emailed all necessary documents. After 30min with no reply, we called Lava.A staff member told us another department would handle the matter and that we would receive a call within 30min. Another 30min had passed, we still received no call.We phoned again, hearing the same promise, yet receiving no follow-up for another hour.

Meanwhile, daylight was fading, temperatures were dropping, and we were completely alone in a remote area for more than 2 hours.

When Joanna finally picked up one of our calls, she claimed she had not received our email - despite earlier confirmation from her colleague. She asked us to resend everything but refused to stay on the line, even though we were in an unsafe situation with limited roaming credit.

It was one of the most helples moments of our trip.

About 30 minutes later, we finally received instructions to drive to a partner workshop. The mechanic examined the car and told us it had to stay overnight. We were told to return the next morning at 11 a.m.

3. Unexpected Charges & Confusing Instructions
When we returned the next day, the workshop informed us that we had to pay for the repair upfront. Confused, we called Lava again and were told, “Pay first, then claim later.”

This delay and miscommunication cost us an entire travel day, forcing us into a long 6–7 hour drive afterward with limited winter daylight.

4. Vehicle Return – Misinterpretation, Hostility & Baseless Accusations

At vehicle return, a male staff member inspected the car and confirmed it was in good condition.
When I asked about the reimbursement process, Joanna - who was sitting beside him - intervened.
Without inspecting the car or having any technical knowledge, she took a photo of the repair invoice & translated the Icelandic repair notes using her phone. She then incorrectly claimed the damage was caused by “strong wind,” which was supposedly not covered by insurance.

This was a completely false statement.
The document clearly stated: “Cause of damage was unknown.” There was no mention of wind or weather.

After I corrected her, her attitude became increasingly impatient and hostile. She told me to resubmit all the documents by email—even though she already had them. When I asked why I needed to send everything again, she blamed it on emails “falling into the junk folder." However, that is not the customer’s responsibility.

What shocked me most was that instead of answering my legitimate questions, she repeatedly accused me of being “rude.” I never raised my voice, never used harsh language, and remained calm the entire time.

As a customer, I couldn’t help but wonder:
Isn’t assisting with claims part of her job?
Why blame the customer for Lava’s email system issues?
How could a frontline representative show so little empathy, especially knowing we had previously been stranded in freezing conditions for over two hours?

5. Impact on Our Trip
We spent months planning what was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Because of Lava’s repeated failures: our itinerary was severely disrupted, we lost a full travel day, we missed key destinations we were excited about, & we experienced unnecessary stress in a dangerous environment
Iceland is a beautiful place, but this experience left a lasting & unfortunate stain on our trip.

FINAL THOUGHT: I Cannot Recommend Lava Car Rental
After everything we experienced—the delays, the contradictions, the lack of responsibility, & especially the hostility - we simply cannot recommend Lava to anyone.

A rental company should help you feel safe on the road. Instead, Lava left us stranded, blamed us for their internal issues, and treated us with disrespect.

This was a painful lesson, & I sincerely hope no one else has to go through the same experience.

15 November 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Mag,

Thank you for taking the time to describe your experience in such detail. I’m sorry to hear that your trip was affected by these issues — situations like this can be stressful, and I’d like to clarify how things unfolded on our side so the full picture is clear.

For the first matter you mentioned, we received your message and began looking into it, but about ten minutes later you notified us that the issue had already been resolved on your end. As no further help was needed at that point, there wasn’t additional follow-up from our team.

For the breakdown in Húsavík, your email did reach us but was unfortunately moved within our system by mistake, which delayed the reply. That shouldn’t have happened, and we’re reviewing our internal handling to ensure incoming messages are always answered promptly. Once the garage had inspected the vehicle, we informed you that we needed their assessment before advising on next steps — and as is standard across Iceland, workshops often require travellers to pay on the spot and claim back later. We understand this can feel inconvenient, especially when travel plans are affected.

Regarding the return of the vehicle, technical matters must be assessed by trained mechanics, and their findings are reviewed by our dedicated damage team. Our staff on site are there to guide the process, not to make immediate decisions or assumptions. We’ve also taken note of the concerns raised about the tone of the conversation on both sides. Our expectation is always that interactions remain respectful and calm, even when the situation is frustrating, and we’re reinforcing this with our team. We likewise understand that unexpected costs and delays can be difficult, and emotions can run high.

Thank you again for sharing your perspective. Feedback like yours helps us improve how we communicate and support travellers during challenging moments. If you’d like us to look into your case once more, please feel free to reach out directly and we’ll be happy to assist.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Five star service

Car had frozen brakes and boot, they gave us a new car and was driving off within minutes. Pick up and drop off was perfect. Definitely recommend this company

11 November 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Brin,

Thanks so much for your kind words. We’re glad the team could sort the frozen brakes and boot straight away and get you back on the road within minutes — that’s exactly how we aim to keep things: quick, simple, and stress-free.

It’s great to hear that both pick-up and drop-off at Keflavik Airport went smoothly as well. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back on your next trip.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Can be better

The rental car located away from the airport, and have to wait for their shuttle service to pick you, not the most convenient option. The car received was not at the best condition, and was not clean up properly. Staffs services were just OK, can be nicer.

28 October 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Leroy Tan,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts — feedback like yours helps us improve. Our location is just a few minutes from Keflavík Airport, and we provide a free shuttle to make the transfer easy, though I understand it can feel less convenient than being directly on-site. We’re continually working to keep the wait as short as possible.

I’m sorry to hear the car wasn’t as clean or well-presented as it should have been. That’s not the standard we aim for, and your comment has already been passed on to our cleaning and preparation team for follow-up.

We’ll also remind our staff that a friendly, welcoming attitude makes all the difference, and we appreciate you pointing it out.

Thank you again for taking the time to review us.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Rental experience was smooth and…

Rental experience was smooth and completely hassle-free. We received exactly what we booked — an older model 4x4 Duster (2022) with full insurance — in excellent condition and equipped with studded tires, which proved extremely useful just a day after record snowfall for late October. The car also had a built-in GPS, though I preferred using Google Maps.

The return process was equally quick and straightforward. My only small remark is that the receptionist could have shown a bit more enthusiasm, but perhaps that’s just part of Iceland’s famously cool charm.

Overall, I definitely recommend this rental company.

29 October 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Faruk,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience — it’s wonderful to hear that everything went smoothly from start to finish. We’re glad the Duster served you well, especially with the studded tyres after that record snowfall. It’s always good to know the car makes the journey easier, just as we intend.

Delighted, too, that the return was quick and simple. As for the comment about the reception team, thank you for mentioning it. We’ll remind the team that a warm welcome goes a long way, even on a crisp Icelandic day.

We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on your next adventure.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Everything was good

Everything was good. Quick Service, Airport Transfer and the car was in good conditions

19 October 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi JM,

Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the quick service, smooth airport transfer from Keflavik International Airport, and that your car was in great condition for your trip in Iceland. Our goal is always to make the car the easiest part of your trip, with reliable vehicles and fast service. We hope to see you again soon.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Unbeatable price & smooth service

From pick up to drop off, everything was so perfect and smooth. The car that I got was in great condition. Also, shuttle service to the airport was cool. The greatest thing was the price. Lava car rental price was unbeatable compare to other car rental companies.

9 October 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi,

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that everything from pick-up to drop-off went perfectly. It’s great to know you enjoyed your rental car in top condition and found our shuttle service convenient. We truly appreciate your mention of our unbeatable prices — we always aim to offer the best value with modern, well-maintained vehicles and essential insurance included.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The best rent car company in iceland (…

The best rent car company in iceland ( in love with the duster )

7 October 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Lyam,

Thank you for your amazing feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had such a great experience and loved driving the Dacia Duster — it’s one of our most popular models for exploring Iceland. We always aim to keep our cars in excellent condition and make the rental process smooth and easy from start to finish.

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12 day car hire for ring road

Booked a Mitsubishi Eclipse for 12 days and paid for all the extras which we highly recommend. Pick up/drop off at the airport was good with quick processing time at the offices. The car was great; just a couple of niggles which should have been checked before assigning the car. One of the front headlights didn’t work and the back window wiper just smeared the surface! The service prior to and check in on the first day was excellent as well as providing helpful driving guides, discount fobs for fuel and vouchers for Costa. Highly recommend and would definitely use again.

17 September 2025
Unprompted review
Lava Car Rental logo

Reply from Lava Car Rental

Hi Anon,

Thank you so much for your kind review and for recommending us! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the fast and easy airport pick-up and drop-off, our driving guides, and the extra perks like fuel discounts and Costa vouchers. It’s great to know the car and service made your trip smooth overall.

We also appreciate your feedback about the headlight and rear wiper — we’ve shared this with our maintenance team to ensure every vehicle is thoroughly checked before the next rental.

We look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure in Iceland!

Warm regards,
Lava Car Rental Team.

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