Thinking about a Jeep rental in Iceland? You've probably come across the term 'Super Jeep' and wondered if it's just marketing hype or something you actually need. Spoiler: it's not just a regular 4x4 with a cool name.
These beasts are built for Iceland's raw, rugged terrain. Think lava fields, glacial rivers, and roads that barely qualify as roads. But do you really need one? That depends on where you're going, what season it is, and how off the map you plan to get. Let's break down what a Super Jeep actually is and when it's worth shelling out for the upgrade from a normal rental car in Iceland.
Key Features of a Super Jeep
An Iceland Super Jeep isn't your average 4x4. It's a serious machine built for serious terrain. Think rough gravel, deep snow, icy hills, and glacial rivers. You'll need more than just high clearance. Here's what sets a Super Jeep apart:
- Oversized tires, often 38 to 46 inches, for traction and ground clearance on snow, sand, and ice
- Enhanced suspension that eats up bumpy roads and keeps the ride smooth
- Reinforced bodywork tough enough for Iceland's wildest tracks
- Differential lockers for better grip when things get slick or steep
- Larger fuel tanks so you can go deeper into the wilderness without hunting for a gas station
Why Super Jeeps Are Common in Iceland
Iceland doesn't make it easy. One moment, you're on smooth tarmac; the next, you're fording a glacial river or bouncing over a lava field. In winter, things get even more intense. Snowdrifts block roads, visibility drops, and the weather turns without warning.
That's where a Super Jeep comes in. Locals rely on them for rescue missions, glacier tours, and reaching remote cabins. Travelers use them to go beyond the tour bus loop and actually see Iceland off the grid.
When Do You Actually Need a Super Jeep?
Short answer? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. It all depends on when and where you're driving.
If you're sticking to the Ring Road in summer, you'll be fine with a regular 4x4. But winter flips the script. Snowstorms, icy roads, and zero visibility can hit without warning. Here's how to drive in snow. Trust us; it's not just about slowing down.
Planning to explore the Highlands or head off the main roads? Then, yes, you do need a Super Jeep. Iceland's interior is packed with gravel roads, steep climbs, and glacial rivers. Some of these areas are only open for part of the year, and you'll need the right vehicle to even get close.
The weather can shift in minutes, so always check the forecast. Our Iceland weather guide breaks it down month by month. There's also the volcano wildcard. Eruptions can mess with the terrain and change routes overnight. If you're heading into those areas, read this first. A super jeep rental in Iceland gives you the freedom to handle it all with confidence.
Which Roads Require a Super Jeep?
Not all roads in Iceland are created equal. Some are more like rocky trails with a few surprises thrown in. That's where a Super Jeep comes into play.
Let's start with the infamous F26, also known as the Sprengisandur Route. It cuts through the center of the Highlands and throws in river crossings, loose gravel, and long stretches with zero services. Without a serious vehicle, you're not getting far.
Then there’s F249 to Þórsmörk. Sounds scenic, right? It is. But it also includes the Krossá River, one of the most unpredictable crossings in Iceland. Even seasoned drivers in standard 4x4s sometimes turn back here. A Super Jeep isn't just recommended. It's the safer choice.
Other routes, like Kaldidalur (550), Kjölur (35), and Jökulhálsleið (570), are less intense but still benefit from high clearance and added stability. And don't forget, many F-roads are closed in winter and only open to well-equipped vehicles.
If you're planning to tackle any of these routes, a regular rental won't cut it. A jeep rental in Iceland that's built for rough terrain is your best bet. Read our full guide on Iceland's road types here.
Super Jeep vs. 4x4: What's the Difference?
A 4x4 and a Super Jeep might both handle rough terrain, but they're built for very different situations.
A jeep rental in Iceland with four-wheel drive is perfect for paved roads, gravel tracks, and most tourist-friendly routes. It's more affordable, easier to drive, and totally capable in good weather. You'll get around just fine if you're sticking to the Ring Road or the Golden Circle.
A super jeep rental in Iceland is on another level. These vehicles are custom-modified to handle extreme conditions. We're talking deep snow, glacial rivers, steep mountain trails, and roads that barely exist. You won't notice the difference on smooth roads, but once you're off the beaten path, it becomes obvious fast.
Super Jeep Rental in Iceland: Prices, Companies, and Requirements
Yes, you can rent a Super Jeep in Iceland. But only through a small number of specialist companies. These vehicles are costly to maintain, tricky to insure, and designed for routes most travelers never attempt. That’s why most rental providers focus on offering powerful 4x4s that can handle Iceland’s toughest roads without the extreme price tag.
A well-equipped 4x4 can manage gravel, snow, steep inclines, and shallow rivers without breaking a sweat. For most people, it’s the smarter choice. Unless you're heading deep into the Highlands or planning multiple river crossings, a fully modified Super Jeep probably isn't necessary.
Checklist: Do You Really Need a Super Jeep?
Not all 4x4 routes in Iceland require a monster truck. But if you're planning serious off-road adventures, river crossings, or tackling the Highlands in winter, a Super Jeep might be your best bet. Use this checklist to help decide!
If you’ve checked most or all of the above, go big: a Super Jeep is the right call. Otherwise, a standard 4x4 will get the job done just fine!
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Super Jeep in Iceland?
The cost typically starts around 450 USD per day and go up to around approximately 800 USD. In summer, or when extra features like snorkels and rooftop tents are included, rates climb even higher. Super Jeeps are in limited supply, so if you do want one, book early.
What Alternatives to Super Jeeps do we Recommend?
Not everyone needs a fully modified Super Jeep. At Cars Iceland, we offer powerful 4x4 vehicles built to handle real-world Icelandic driving conditions, including F-roads, snow, and changing weather.
Here are a few top choices:
- Toyota Land Cruiser 250 – 505 USD per day - High ground clearance, reliable traction, and room for all your gear. Ideal for long-distance routes with changing terrain.
- Land Rover Discovery 5 – 469 USD per day - Great for comfort without compromising capability. Handles gravel, snow, and elevation changes with ease.
- Toyota Land Cruiser 150 – 393 USD per day - A versatile choice for those tackling moderate F-roads or venturing a bit off the beaten path.
Best 4x4 Rental Vehicles in Iceland (No Super Jeep Needed)
|
Company |
Vehicle Options |
Key Features |
|
- Toyota Land Cruiser 150 4WD - Toyota Land Cruiser 250 4WD |
High ground clearance, unlimited mileage, CDW/SCDW/TP/GP insurance included |
|
|
- Land Rover Defender 4WD |
Built for F-roads, large cargo capacity, newer models |
|
|
- Jeep Renegade 4x4 - Jeep Compass 4xe - Dacia Duster 4x4 |
Smaller but capable 4x4s, budget-friendly, all with 4WD and insurance included |
Requirements to Book
Renting one of these 4x4s isn't overly complicated, but there are a few things you need to know before locking it in.
- Minimum age. Most companies require drivers to be at least 25 years old. If you're younger, you may still be able to rent, but expect added insurance or special conditions.
- Insurance. This part isn't optional if you want peace of mind. F-roads, river splashes, and strong winds are real risks. Don't guess on coverage. Read this insurance breakdown before you book.
- Driving experience. You don't need to be a pro-off-roader, but some confidence behind the wheel will go a long way. Narrow roads, blind curves, and fast-changing weather can catch first-timers off guard.
Essential Tips Before Renting a Jeep in Iceland
Before you hit 'Book Now,' make sure you've thought it through. Renting the right 4x4 for Iceland is part of your safety plan, not just a checkbox.
- Go with a trusted company. At Cars Iceland, we've earned 692 Google Reviews and hold a 4.9-star rating. That doesn't happen by chance. It comes from offering exceptional vehicles, honest service, and helping travelers avoid expensive mistakes.
- Know your route. Don't assume every 4x4 is ready for river crossings or steep mountain tracks. Read the specs, ask questions, and make sure the vehicle fits your route. If you're heading toward the Highlands, it matters.
- Book early. Super Jeeps may be rare, but capable 4x4s also sell out fast in high season. If you're traveling between June and August or during the school holidays, secure your booking well in advance. 3-6 Months in advance is ideal.
- Beware of hidden fees. Many car rental companies have hidden fees such as additional insurance charges, GPS rental, and cleaning fees. Make sure to read the fine print and ask about any potential extra costs before booking.
Need help deciding what works for your itinerary? Start with these practical rental tips for driving in Iceland.
Super Jeep Tours in Iceland: What Are Your Options?
Super Jeep rentals in Iceland are possible, but availability is limited, and the cost is high. Most travelers don’t rent one. Instead, they join guided tours. It’s the easier, safer option. You still get the full off-road experience without the pressure of navigating rough terrain on your own.
Remote routes, river crossings, and steep mountain trails are better left to the professionals. With a Super Jeep tour, a trained local does the driving while you focus on the views.
Here are three unforgettable Super Jeep tours you can book today:
Golden Circle and Glacier Super Jeep Tour
This is Iceland's most famous route, with a serious upgrade. You'll travel in a luxury Super Jeep, combining comfort with all-terrain power as you explore:
- Þingvellir National Park, where two continents literally pull apart
- The Althing, the world's oldest surviving parliament site
- Geysir Hot Springs, including Strokkur, erupting every few minutes
- Gullfoss waterfall, roaring with milky glacier melt
- Langjökull Glacier, a frozen giant you'll approach in true off-road style
Expect small group sizes for a more personal and immersive experience.
Book the Golden Circle and Glacier tour here
Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour
Forget the busloads of tourists huddled in parking lots. This tour takes you far from light pollution to chase the Aurora Borealis in peace. You'll get:
- A stylish ride through Icelandic backroads
- Exclusive access to quiet, remote viewing spots
- Cozy blankets, hot cocoa, and Icelandic chocolate
- A guide who knows the science and stories behind the lights
- Free Northern Lights photos so you can stay warm and still get the shot
You can even bundle this with an Aurora Museum visit and save 10 percent.
Book your Northern Lights adventure here
Landmannalaugar Super Jeep Tour
For something truly wild, this tour dives deep into the Icelandic Highlands. After pick-up from Reykjavik or the South Coast, you'll head out to:
- Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano
- Landmannalaugar, with colorful rhyolite mountains and geothermal hot springs
- A 4.5 km hike with views that feel like another planet
- A dip in a natural hot pool surrounded by lava fields
- Photo stops at Hnausapollur, Sigöldugljúfur Canyon, and Hjálparfoss waterfall
It's a full-day experience designed for those who want to see the raw side of Iceland.
Book the Landmannalaugar Super Jeep tour here
Wild Places to Visit in Iceland with a 4x4 Yourself - Best Routes in Iceland for 4x4 Adventures
So, you've decided to take the wheel and explore Iceland the real way. No tour bus. No crowded stops. Just you, the open road, and landscapes that feel like another planet. If that's the plan, you're going to need a capable jeep rental in Iceland and a route worth the ride.
From dramatic coastlines to volcanic highlands, here are the best 4x4 routes where you can take charge and see the wildest corners of the country on your own terms. You can also read more about road trips in our guide for a little extra inspiration.
Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland's idea of a warm-up lap. At Þingvellir National Park, you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and pretend you're splitting the planet in two. It's also where Iceland's parliament was founded back in 930.
That's not a typo. Then there's Geysir, which doesn't really do much anymore, but Strokkur makes up for it by launching boiling water up to 25 meters (82 feet) into the sky every few minutes (because why not).
Finish with Gullfoss, a glacial waterfall that drops 32 meters (105 feet) into a canyon like it's auditioning for a shampoo commercial. Most people stop there. With a 4x4, you can go beyond the tour bus crowd and hit lesser-known gems like Kerið Crater or the edge of Langjökull Glacier, where the real fun begins.
Diamond Circle
The Diamond Circle is what the Golden Circle would look like if it stopped trying to impress tourists. Start with Dettifoss, a waterfall that doesn't cascade so much as obliterate everything in its path. It drops 45 meters (148 feet) into a canyon that echoes like an angry drum.
Next up, Ásbyrgi Canyon, perfectly horseshoe-shaped and suspiciously peaceful (some say it was made by Odin's horse, but sure, let's go with that). Then comes Lake Mývatn, a volcanic wonderland filled with steaming vents, craters, and midges that don't bite but definitely test your patience.
Just nearby, Hverir geothermal area bubbles and hisses and spits out hot mud, a mystical reminder that this is one of the world's most geologically active places. A 4x4 makes the loop bearable and more importantly, lets you avoid apologizing to roadside assistance for driving a rental into the abyss.
Dimmuborgir Lava Field
Dimmuborgir is where Iceland goes full weird. You're walking through a lava field filled with arches, spires, and caves that look like the set of a dark fantasy film, and honestly, you wouldn't be surprised to see a troll or two (they're said to live here, so behave).
The formations were created when a lava lake collapsed over steam vents, which sounds chaotic because it was. Trails crisscross the area with names like 'The Church,' which somehow feels ominous and inviting.
It's not far from Grjótagjá, a lava cave hiding a geothermal spring, or Hverfjall, a crater that looks like a giant's cereal bowl. You don't need a 4x4 for the main area, but if you're planning to connect these weird and wonderful dots, it helps to have one.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Snæfellsnes is Iceland's best overachiever. In one drive, you get a glacier-topped volcano, lava fields, sea cliffs, black sand beaches, and fishing towns that look like postcards someone forgot to Photoshop.
At the center of it all is Snæfellsjökull, a glacier that looms so perfectly you'd think it was painted on. Then there's Kirkjufell, Iceland's most photogenic mountain, and it's easily over-posted (but you'll still take the photo).
Explore Djúpalónssandur, where shipwreck debris litters a surreal beach, and Arnarstapi, where basalt cliffs collapse into the sea with style. The roads swing between paved and sketchy gravel, and the wind has absolutely no chill. A 4x4 makes the difference between a scenic loop and a story that ends with, 'and that's when we got stuck.'
Westfjords
The Westfjords feel like Iceland gave up trying to impress you and just showed off. The roads are gravel, the cliffs are vertical, and your GPS stopped working about three fjords ago.
But then you reach Dynjandi, a 100-meter (328-foot) waterfall that spreads like a lacy curtain over basalt layers. You'll wonder why it's not famous, then realize you're the only one there. Head to Látrabjarg, Europe's westernmost point, where puffins nest right at the edge of a 441-meter (1,447-foot) drop (with no fences, of course).
Hot springs bubble beside the sea, and sheep roam like unpaid traffic officers. A 4x4 isn't optional here unless you're into anxiety and suspension damage.
Highlands: Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk
The Highlands aren't scenic; they're cinematic. Landmannalaugar is painted in volcanic color rhyolite mountains in orange, red, yellow, and green. The lava fields crunch underfoot like you're walking on ancient bones.
There's even a hot spring because Iceland never misses a chance to add steam. Getting there requires crossing rivers and bouncing along rocky F-roads, which is where your 4x4 earns its keep.
Then there's Thrsmork, a hidden valley surrounded by glaciers, volcanoes, and rivers that will absolutely try to eat your tires. This isn't a casual Sunday drive. Bring dry bags, waterproof boots, and preferably, a guide who knows when not to cross a river.
Eastfjords
The Eastfjords are what the South used to be before hashtags ruined everything. Roads cling to the coastline, wrapping around jagged cliffs and dipping into villages where time clearly took a nap. Seyðisfjörður is the star with colorful houses, local art, and a rainbow road that looks like it was designed by a tourism board with a Pinterest addiction.
Getting there means crossing a mountain pass with more waterfalls than guardrails. Further South is Vestrahorn, a sharp mountain rising out of the sea beside black sand dunes that shift with the wind.
Reindeer occasionally wander across the road, so watch out. Some routes are paved, others clearly forgot they were supposed to be. A 4x4 keeps you going when the pavement ends, and the weather starts getting ideas.
Best Hot Springs in Iceland: Relax After a 4x4 Adventure
After you've white-knuckled your way through river crossings and gravel roads, nothing hits better than a steaming hot soak. Iceland gets that. Here are some of the best hot springs to unwind after your off-road effort:
- Mývatn Nature Baths – North Iceland's less-hyped answer to the Blue Lagoon. Geothermal waters, fewer people, and zero overpriced cocktails.
- Vök Baths – Located in the Eastfjords, these floating pools sit directly in Lake Urriðavatn. Yes, they actually float.
- Secret Lagoon – Oldest pool in the country. Still authentic, still steamy, and far less chaotic than the tourist traps.
- Reykjadalur Hot River – A short hike from Hveragerði leads you to a steaming river where you can soak in nature. Just don't expect privacy.
How a Jeep Rental in Iceland Turns the Trip Into the Real Thing
A Jeep rental in Iceland isn't just a nice-to-have. It's the difference between sticking to the tourist trail and actually seeing Iceland. The Highlands, the Westfjords, and those hidden geothermal spots are not made for small cars or second guesses.
Rent a car in Iceland that can handle the rough stuff, then go find the good stuff. If you're unsure where to start or what kind of vehicle fits your route, reach out to us. Seriously. We love helping people make smart choices and unforgettable mistakes (the good kind). Ask us anything. Iceland's wild. You should be ready for it.
