Why rent a 4x4 in Georgia?
Georgia is a mountain country. The best-known trips — Kazbegi and the Jvari Pass, the Gudauri ski resort, Svaneti — climb well above 2,000 metres, and the weather up there changes quickly. An all-wheel-drive car gives you better grip on steep climbs, wet asphalt, gravel stretches and snow, and a higher car sees you more comfortably over rough patches.
For city driving and the main highway between Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi a regular sedan is fine. If your plans include the mountains — especially outside summer — a 4x4 is the calmer choice.
Our 4x4 cars
| Car | Type | From |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback 2017 Premium 2.5 | Wagon, raised ground clearance | $45 / day |
| Subaru Outback 2014 Limited 2.5 | Wagon, raised ground clearance | $45 / day |
| Subaru Outback 2016 Touring 3.6 | Wagon, bigger 3.6 engine | $45 / day |
| Chevrolet Equinox 2020 LT | Compact SUV | $45 / day |
| Subaru Legacy 2020 Touring | Sedan with all-wheel drive | $40 / day |
All five are automatic. The Subaru Outback is the classic choice for Georgian road trips: a long boot for suitcases and ski bags, all-wheel drive and more ground clearance than a normal car. The Equinox gives you the higher seating position of an SUV, and the Legacy is the most comfortable on long highway days while still having 4x4 for bad weather.
Where you can go
- Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) and the Jvari Pass — about 150 km north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Road. Read our Tbilisi to Kazbegi guide.
- Gudauri — Georgia's main ski resort, on the same road. A 4x4 makes winter trips much easier.
- Svaneti: Mestia — the road from Zugdidi to Mestia is paved but long and winding.
- Ushguli — allowed for an extra fee; contact us for the price. Read our Svaneti, Mestia and Ushguli guide.
- Borjomi, Bakuriani, Kakheti, the Black Sea coast — all fine by 4x4 or sedan.
Not allowed: Tusheti (the road over the Abano Pass), and driving outside Georgia. See the full rental terms.
Tips for mountain driving
- Leave early. Mountain roads are slower than the map suggests, and you'll want daylight for the last stretch.
- Fill up before you climb — petrol stations become rare high in the mountains.
- In winter, check the weather before you set off. The Jvari Pass and the road to Ushguli can close for a while after heavy snow. Message us and we'll tell you what we know.
- Watch for cows on the road. In the mountains they have right of way in practice, if not in law.
