Do you need a 4WD in Oman?
You do not need a 4WD for every Oman trip. You may need one for certain mountain roads, desert access, rough tracks or camp approaches, so choose the route before choosing the car.
Answer
A standard car can be enough for a simple Muscat, Nizwa and main-road itinerary. The question changes when the plan includes highland roads, desert camps, rough wadi approaches or remote tracks. This is where Oman catches overconfident planners: the road is easy until it is not, and a rental contract may be stricter than the map. Decide first what you genuinely want to do, then match the vehicle to that route. Do not rent a small car to save money and then build a 4WD itinerary around wishful thinking.
Recheck before you go
Transport schedules can change. Check current timings before you book around them.