8th July 202510 min read
by Anna Jones

When booking a hire car, it’s easy to focus on securing the cheapest car hire possible and forgetting finer, more important details, like the vehicle category. Ensuring you choose the right type of car will save headaches further down the road – like realising in the airport car park that your passengers and luggage just won’t fit.

This guide breaks down how car rental classifications work, what the codes mean and the importance of car hire excess insurance.

Why Car Hire Categories Matter

Car hire providers classify vehicles into groups, so you understand the difference between different types of cars. Size, comfort, performance, and features all contribute to the group a car is placed in. Cars might be labelled as ‘Compact’ or ‘Full-size’, however, these terms can be subjective.

International car rental companies tend to use a standardised system to set their categories – the Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards (ACRISS). The ACRISS code provides precise details about the car’s characteristics. Understanding the matrix helps you:

Select a car that fits your needs
Avoid unexpected, sometimes pricey, upgrades or downgrades

What is the ACRISS Code?

The ACRISS code is a four-letter identifier that describes a rental car’s key features:

Category – General size/class (e.g. Economy, Full Size)

Code
Description

M
Mini

N
Mini Elite

E
Economy

H
Economy Elite

C
Compact

D
Compact Elite

I
Intermediate

J
Intermediate Elite

S
Standard

R
Standard Elite

F
Full Size

G
Full Size Elite

P
Premium

U
Premium Elite

L
Luxury

W
Luxury Elite

O
Oversize

X
Special

Body Style – Type of vehicle (e.g. SUV, Convertible, Sedan)

Code
Description

B
2 to 3 door

C
2 to 4 door

D
4 to 5 door

W
Wagon/Estate

V
Passenger Van

L
Limousine/Sedan

S
Sport

T
Convertible

F
SUV

J
Open air all terrain

X
Special

Transmission/Drive – Manual or automatic, with optional all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD)

Code
Description

M
Manual Unspecified Drive

N
Manual 4WD

C
Manual AWD

A
Auto Unspecified Drive

B
Auto 4WD

D
Auto 4WD

Fuel/Air Conditioning – Fuel type and whether air conditioning is included

Code
Description

R
Unspecified fuel/power with air

N
Unspecified fuel/power without air

D
Diesel with air

Q
Diesel with no air

E/C
Electric Vehicle

V
Petrol with air

Z
Petrol with no air

For example, a car classified as IFAR would typically be an intermediate SUV with automatic transmission and air conditioning, such as a Toyota RAV4 or a Hyundai Tucson.

Overview of Popular Vehicle Classes

Although car hire classes can vary slightly from provider to provider, most of them align with these groups:

Mini & Economy

Great for solo travellers or couples

Easy to park and fuel-efficient

Limited luggage space

Example: Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo

Compact & Intermediate

Offers more boot space and comfort

Ideal for small families or longer drives

Example: VW Golf, Toyota Corolla

Standard & Full Size

Ample passenger and luggage capacity

More comfortable on longer journeys and on motorways

Example: Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo

Premium & Luxury

High-end features and smooth performance

Best for special occasions or business trips

Example: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class

SUVs, 4x4s & Crossovers

Suitable for varied terrain or winter travel

Increased space and versatility

Example: Nissan Qashqai, Toyota RAV4

People Carriers & Vans

Designed for groups or bulky luggage

Popular for airport runs or large families

Example: Ford Galaxy, VW Transporter

How to Choose the Right Car Class for Your Trip

There are a few things to consider when picking your vehicle:

1. Where are you going?

For trips to cities, stick to smaller cars as it will be easier for parking. For rural or mountainous areas you might want 4WD (N or B) or an SUV (F).

2. Who are you travelling with?

Families might need a larger car that can accommodate child seats as well as lots of bags. Equally, groups might benefit from a people carriers with more seats and space. If there’s only two of you, you might opt for a three door.

3. Season and climate

Air conditioning is a must in hot countries so you’ll want to look for vehicles with aircon (V,D or R). If you’re going to be driving on winter roads, then you might require AWD or a specific tyre type.

Protect Yourself with Car Hire Excess Insurance

Car hire excess insurance protects you against unexpected charges if your rental company bills your credit card for damage after you return the car – the bill is often quite a significant amount.

For this amount to be reimbursed, simply fill in our online claim form and provide the necessary supporting documentation. If your claim is successful, we’ll reimburse the excess to help you avoid a costly surprise.

Final Thoughts

Understanding car rental categories, ACRISS codes, as well as the role of excess insurance policies for hire cars, puts you in a strong position to choose the best vehicle for your journey. As car hire companies may display information differently, it’s worth reviewing the vehicle description in full before you confirm your booking.