Why Shift Car Rental is a top choice for customers

Once considered a simple stop-gap solution for getting from point A to point B, car rentals today are measured against a far more demanding checklist. Whether it’s a resident managing daily commutes, a tourist navigating unfamiliar roads, or a business trying to keep its operations running smoothly, today’s renter wants more than just a set of wheels. They’re looking for reliability, safety, ease and a service experience that feels as streamlined as any other part of modern city life.

In a country where mobility often defines lifestyle and productivity, car rental companies have had to evolve. For Shift Car Rental, part of the AW Rostamani Group, that evolution isn’t recent. It’s a framework the company has been refining since 2008. Over the years, it has built a reputation for going beyond the basics, both in terms of operational standards and customer experience.

“At Shift Car Rental and as part of AWR Mobility, our mission has always been to deliver seamless mobility with uncompromising quality and trust,” says Sanaa Ouahmane, CEO of AWR Mobility & AWR Trading.

Those five assurances aren’t just buzzwords. They reflect in how Shift manages its fleet, designs its customer experience, and builds its digital platforms. Reliability is one of the biggest aspects. Every vehicle, whether it’s a compact city car or a commercial van, goes through a technical inspection covering up to 82 checkpoints. In addition, a team of trained specialists runs each vehicle through 21 quality control checks, covering everything from cabin functionality to engine performance. And before any vehicle goes out on the road, Shift verifies all safety features – brakes, lights, stability systems – according to agency standards.

It’s a level of rigour that helps the company keep pace with changing customer expectations. “Over the past decade, customer expectations have evolved significantly, with a growing emphasis on safety, reliability, and peace of mind,” says Ouahmane. “We've responded by embedding quality assurance into every layer of the customer journey, from the moment of booking to the final return.”

Ease of booking is another area where the brand stands out. Customers can hop on to the website or app and choose their preferred car, location, and duration of rental in just a few clicks. Shift even offers vehicle delivery to your doorstep and collects it when you’re done. For those who prefer the traditional route, the company operates 15 branches across the UAE.

Importantly, customers don’t have to pay extra for peace of mind. All rentals come with comprehensive car insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and repairs or replacements for worn-out parts, features that other providers often list as add-ons.

The fleet itself is extensive, crossing the 13,000 mark. On the individual side, Shift offers both short-term rentals for daily or weekly use, and long-term leasing for residents who need ongoing mobility without the commitment of ownership. Cars on offer range from compact hatchbacks to premium SUVs and electric vehicles. Brands available for rent include Nissan, Renault, Infiniti, Chery, Zeekr, Smart, Chevrolet, Jeep, Toyota, Kia, and Hyundai among others.

Then there’s the commercial arm where Shift supports more than 2,000 corporate clients across industries. Whether it’s transporting a crew to a worksite, moving goods across the city, or shuttling tourists around town, Shift has a solution. The commercial rental options include delivery vans, cargo vans, minivans, passenger vehicles, and even freezer trucks.

“Efficiency, both in how we operate and how we engage customers, is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s essential,” emphasises Ouahmane. “Operational efficiency and rigorous quality control are foundational to earning and maintaining customer trust.”

Shift’s goal is not only to hand over keys to a set of wheels but to ensure the customer’s peace of mind from start to finish.

– In association with Shift Car Rental