I don't own an automobile, so occasionally rent either for bicycle trip or a one-way part of a tour.

A basic trunk bike rack @ Walmart type store is ~$50 so even if you can't rent one from rental car company you can get one along the way. I've had three so far (once I brought back with me and used for local trips, one went to brother, one went to friend). With a back rack a basic compact car works fine to carry touring bike and gear.

Taking off both wheels also mostly works except for smallest sizes of rental cars. Depending on the rental car counter, I can sometimes swap if size looks to be too tight of a squeeze.

My recumbent is long wheel base and large frame. If I'm picking a no hassle choice then I'll get either mini-van or mid-sized SUV to bring that back. For example, Memorial Day weekend rode from Portland to Boise and picked up minivan at the airport to drive back.