Starting a Turo hosting business can be incredibly profitable — but only if you pick the right car. Studies show that over 60% of new Turo hosts end up losing money, often because they choose vehicles without properly calculating their Return on Investment. ROI is the most important metric for anyone renting cars on Turo, as it directly reflects how much profit you can expect compared to what you spend.
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Without careful ROI analysis, many hosts buy cars that look appealing but fail to generate enough bookings or cover maintenance costs. That’s why knowing how to accurately estimate your potential income and expenses before buying is key to success.
What Most Turo ROI Calculators Get Wrong
You might have seen Turo’s official ROI calculator — their “Carculator” — which you can find here: Turo Carculator. While it looks helpful, it has several important limitations that can mislead you:
- Outdated Data: The calculator relies on data mainly from 2022–2023 and hasn’t been updated to reflect the latest market changes.
- Limited City Coverage: It covers only about 20 major cities, leaving out many markets where Turo is growing rapidly.
- “Average” Numbers: The tool shows broad average values, which can be misleading. It doesn’t account for local demand or specific car models accurately.
- No Seasonality or Competition Adjustments: It ignores fluctuations in bookings across seasons and how competitive a market is.
- Annual, Not Monthly Data: The results are yearly estimates, missing out on monthly trends crucial for planning cash flow.
- No Depreciation Forecast: It doesn’t consider how much value your car will lose over time.
- No Repair or Maintenance Costs: Essential expenses like upkeep or unexpected repairs are absent from their calculations.
What You Actually Need to Calculate Turo ROI
To get a realistic ROI, you must consider:
- Income by Specific Car Model in Your City
Different cars perform very differently depending on where you are. Some models are hot sellers in one city but underperform elsewhere. - Depreciation (Value Loss Over Time)
Cars lose value as they age, but not all equally. Some models hold their value well, while others depreciate quickly. Ignoring this can turn a profitable-looking car into a money sink. - Insurance, Maintenance, and Turo Fees
These recurring costs vary by location and car type but significantly impact net profit. For example, off-trip insurance might start at around $56 per month, but repair costs can fluctuate widely. - Monthly Booking Volume (Demand)
Knowing how many times a car typically rents per month in your market helps you project actual income, not just theoretical maximums. - Average Rental Price
The going rate per day or trip shapes your gross revenue potential.
A Smarter Way to Analyze ROI — With RentScout
This is where RentScout shines. Our Chrome extension plugs directly into your browser and analyzes real market data in real time, unlike outdated calculators that guess or average numbers. Here’s what RentScout offers:
- Live Market Data
RentScout pulls recent bookings, prices, demand, and fees data from Turo to give you an up-to-date snapshot. - Detailed Breakdown of Income, ROI, and Demand
See exactly how much a car earns, its profitability percentage, and how in-demand it is. - Maintenance & Depreciation Estimates
We provide predicted depreciation and maintenance costs per car, helping you avoid hidden expenses. - Visual Graphs & Filters
Customize how you view the data, breaking it down by time periods, trims, or locations for deeper insight. - Trusted by Experienced Hosts & Fleet Managers
RentScout’s data-driven approach has helped pros optimize their fleets and avoid costly mistakes.
🧲 Ready to take control?
👉 Install RentScout for free and start analyzing real ROI before you invest in your next Turo car.
Example: Toyota Corolla 2024 in Los Angeles
Let’s put theory into practice with a concrete example:
- Purchase Price: $22,000 (varies by trim and mileage)
- Average Monthly Net Income: $882 (after Turo fees, assuming 90% payout plan)
- Insurance: Typically starts around $56/month for off-trip coverage
- Estimated Annual ROI: Approximately 48%
With RentScout, you can filter by make, model, year, and location to compare different vehicles side-by-side. This lets you make smarter, data-backed decisions no matter which car or city you target.
Final Thoughts – Don’t Buy Blind
Turo hosting isn’t a gamble — it’s a business that demands careful planning. A reliable ROI calculator is your X-ray, revealing what’s under the hood before you commit your money.
Smart hosts calculate before buying. The rest take chances and lose.
Start with RentScout — it’s free to install, easy to use, and your best tool for maximizing profits on Turo.