What Type of Hire Car Do I Need?

Choosing the right car could make or break your trip. If you pick something too small, you'll be frustrated before you've even left the car park after cramming passengers and luggage into a car that doesn't fit them. You could pay extra to upgrade, but this is likely to be more expensive and is dependent on a bigger vehicle actually being available.

Going too big isn't much better. Not only could you have spent more than necessary, but navigating unfamiliar roads or tight parking spaces in a car you aren't used to could be stressful.

Evidently, choosing a hire car that fits your needs is important - almost as important as car hire excess insurance.

With confusing car categories, codes and class names, making the right choice might feel overwhelming. This guide will go through the common car hire classifications used by lots of car hire providers and help you match the right vehicle to your trip, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple or with your family.

Classification System

The Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards (ACRISS) developed a benchmark classification system for describing rental vehicles quickly and consistently. These codes summarise key details about a car using a standardised format across rental companies.

There are four letters, with the first describing the vehicle category, the second letter describing the body style or number of doors, the third describing the transmission or drivetrain, and the fourth describing the fuel type and whether the vehicle has air conditioning.

Lots of companies do follow the ACRISS standard, but some may apply their own classification system, naming conventions, or allude to the ACRISS classes in a different manner. For example, the Enterprise website will label the car as 'Compact' over 'C'.

Category

The category element informs you of a car's general size and class. Sometimes the word 'elite' will be used, meaning this car is a higher-spec version of the car in the standard category meaning it might have better features, a more powerful engine or be a more prestigious brand.

Type

The type element in the ACRISS code refers to the car's body style or the number of doors it has, so you can understand if you're renting a hatchback, SUV, estate or convertible. As some types offer more space than others, this letter will clue you in on whether the vehicle is suitable for your needs or not.

Transmission/Drive

This indicates whether the vehicle is manual or automatic. Some companies may also refer to things like all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

Fuel/Air Conditioning

The fuel and air conditioning element tells you the car's fuel type, whether it's petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric, as well as if the vehicle comes with air conditioning.

Understanding Your Hire Car Needs

Now that you understand how the ACRISS code breakdown down the features of a hire car, you are better informed when it comes to choosing the right car for your needs. Beyond the size of the car, there are other factors you should consider.

Location

You should take your destination into account when choosing your hire car. If you're heading to a town or city or need to park in tight spaces, then a smaller car will be most convenient for you. If you're going somewhere more rural, maybe even off-grid, a larger car with a stronger engine and more ground clearance might be a better choice.

Budget

To keep costs down, be smart about which fuel type your hire car uses: diesel and hybrid vehicles may offer better mileage for longer trips. This website tracks fuel prices in different countries, which can also help you budget.

Season and Climate

During the summer months or in warmer climates, you'll want to be looking out for the ACRISS code that indicates air conditioning, as this will ensure you're comfortable. On the other hand, if you're driving in snowy or icy conditions, then you'll need for cars that offer winter features like snow tyres and chains.

What Size Hire Car Should I Get?

This is a quick overview of the typical car hire categories. You should keep in mind that descriptions can vary between rental companies.

Mini/Small Cars

• Approximate Dimensions: Up to 3.67m (L) x 1.63m (W) x 1.5m (H)
• Comfortably fits two passengers
• Luggage: Mostly hand luggage

Mini cars are perfect for weekend-long city breaks as they are easy to park and have just enough space for a couple and some weekend bags. Most models are three-door, but five-door models do exist, so you could squeeze in four people.

Compact/Economy Cars

• Approximate Dimensions: Up to 4.3m (L) x 1.6m (W) x 1.5m (H)
• Comfortably fits three to four passengers
• Luggage: One large suitcase + hand luggage

Compact cars are great for families as well as couples. They are typically hatchbacks, making them compact enough for urban driving whilst offering more boot space than cars classified as mini or small.

Intermediate Cars

• Approximate Dimensions: Up to 4.6m (L) x 1.8m (W) x 1.5m (H)
• Comfortably fits five passengers
• Luggage: Two or three large suitcases

Intermediate cars are both practical and comfortable. With more cabin and boot space, they're a great choice if you plan to do motorway driving.

Large Cars

• Approximate Dimensions: Up to 4.6m (L) x 1.8m (W) x 1.6m (H)
• Comfortably fits four or five passengers + child seats
• Luggage: Two large suitcases with additional smaller bags

Large hire cars typically have more spacious interiors and a higher ground clearance, making them comfortable on long drives and uneven terrain - ideal for family road trips.

Full Size Cars

• Approximate Dimensions: Up to 4.8m (L) x 1.9m (W) x 1.6m (H)
• Comfortably fits up to seven passengers
• Luggage: Two large suitcases (if the seats are up)

Full-size cars are the largest available car before you reach van or mutli-purpose vehicle (MPV) territory. They provide generous passenger room but the extra two seats might reduce luggage capacity. Due to their size, full-size cars also typically consume more fuel so you may need to factor this into your budget.

Premium and Luxury Cars

Premium and luxury cars vary in size; it's their make, model and extra features that set them apart.

Oversize Vehicles

Oversized vehicles are the biggest in the fleet and can seat up to eight passengers comfortably. They're ideal for larger groups travelling with lots of luggage or bulky equipment.

Don't Forget Car Hire Excess Insurance

Once you've decided which hire car will fit your needs the best, you should protect yourself from expensive excess fees with an Eversure car hire excess insurance policy. Make sure to buy before securing your rental car, and if you're charged for damage, we'll reimburse you - subject to a successful claim. It's the cover you hope you don't need, but will be very glad you had if you do.

Final Thoughts

Car hire companies may use the ACRISS codes differently, so make sure to always double-check that the vehicle details' do match your expectations. These codes are helpful when it comes to knowing what the car will be like, but not every company uses them in the same way.