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Rental Car Types

Learn about the dozen plus car rental categories with different features and characteristics that suit different rental needs.

Car categories in the US

Car categories abroad

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FAQ

What are the different types of rental cars?

When you’re thinking of renting a car, you probably have a good idea of the kind of car you want. Depending on your trip, you might even have an exact model in mind. The trouble is in the language that car rental companies use to classify cars, as they may use terms that you’re not familiar with, or use different terms for the same thing. You might see the same car called intermediate, mid-size, or standard, depending on the company.

This guide will explain the most common different car rental categories in the US, the details of each category, and popular models in each. There are several other less common categories for people who are interested in high-performance or exotic cars that are not explained in detail in this guide.

Keep in mind that when you book a car in a particular category, you may not get the exact model you selected. Most car rental companies will show you a deal for a particular model “or equivalent,” or “similar options,” because they’re changing their fleets frequently and may not know if that exact model is available to book at the time of your departure.

Different rental car types

Rental car categories in the US

Economy

Passengers: 4

Bags: 2

Examples: Chevrolet Spark, Hyundai Accent, Mitsubishi Mirage

Highlights: Economy cars typically have low rates and great fuel efficiency, and are slightly smaller than compact cars.

Compact rental car

Compact

Passengers: 2

Bags: 2

Examples: Ford Focus, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris

Highlights: Compact cars feature low rates and great fuel efficiency, with slightly more room than economy cars.

Intermediate / Mid-size / Standard

Passengers: 5

Bags: 3-4

Examples: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Jetta

Highlights: Intermediate cars, also commonly known as mid-size or standard cars, are four-door sedans that are more spacious than compact cars while still being fuel-efficient. They can fit 3 or sometimes 4 bags depending on the model.

Full-size rental car

Full-size / Premium

Passengers: 5

Bags: 4

Examples: Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Impala

Highlights: Full-size cars are four-door sedans that comfortably seat 5 passengers with luggage. Premium cars may come with more features.

Luxury rental car

Luxury

Passengers: 5

Bags: 4

Examples: Audi A4, Chrysler 300, BMW 5 series, Cadillac XTS, Lincoln Continental

Highlights: Luxury cars are typically four-door sedans with high-end performance engines and luxury interiors that comfortably seat 5 passengers with luggage. However, some rental companies will categorize luxury SUVs, sports sedans, and executive cars in the luxury cars category along with regular luxury sedans.

Convertible Car Rental

Convertible

Passengers: 2-4

Bags: 2

Examples: Audi A5, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, BMW 4-series

Highlights: Convertible cars are 2-door sports coupes with retractable roofs. Some rental car companies may offer different levels of convertible car performance and luxury.

Compact SUV

Passengers: 5

Bags: 3

Examples: Kia Sportage, Nissan Juke, Ford Eco Sport

Highlights: Like regular compact cars, compact SUVs offer low rates and good fuel efficiency in SUV form.

Mid-size SUV Rental

Intermediate / Mid-size / Standard SUV

Passengers: 5

Bags: 4

Examples: Audi Q5, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Escape

Highlights: Intermediate SUVs, sometimes called mid-size or standard SUVs, are easy to drive and feature large interiors.

Full-size SUV rental car

Full-size / Premium SUV

Passengers: 7-8

Bags: 5

Examples: Audi Q7, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia

Highlights: Full-size SUVs comfortably seat 7 or 8 passengers with ample room for luggage. Premium SUVs may come with more features.

Luxury SUV

Passengers: 5-7

Bags: 3-5

Examples: Audi Q3, Infiniti QX80, Cadillac Escalade

Highlights: Luxury SUVs range in size, but come with higher end performance engines and luxury interiors.

Minivan

Passengers: 7-8

Bags: 5

Examples: Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, Nissan Quest

Highlights: Minivans can comfortably seat 7 or 8 passengers depending on the model, and are perfect for long road trips with several people.

Passenger van

Passengers: 8-12

Bags: 7

Examples: Ford E-Series, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Nissan NV

Highlights: Passenger vans are full-sized vans that can seat large groups of more than 8 passengers. Some rental car companies will also offer cargo vans that have room for hauling bigger items instead of seats for transporting people.

Pickup truck

Passengers: 4

Bags: 3-4

Examples: Nissan Frontier, Ford F-150, Dodge Ram

Highlights: Pickup trucks can vary in size between smaller and larger models that offer more cargo space and towing capability.

Estate rental car

Hybrid

Passengers: 5

Bags: 3

Examples: Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid

Highlights: Hybrid cars feature a combination of conventional engine and electric power, and come in several sizes depending on your needs and budget.

Electric rental car

Electric

Passengers: 5

Bags: 2-4

Examples: Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S

Highlights: Electric cars feature entirely electric motors, and come in a few sizes with different features depending on your needs and budget.

Search rental cars

Rental car categories outside the US

Outside of the US, the terminology is similar but not identical. The most important two terms to keep in mind are Mini and Estate. The Mini car category simply refers to cars that are smaller than cars in the Compact category, and can be found all over the world. The Estate car category is more specific to British English, and refers to station wagons or mid- to full-size hatchbacks.

Mini

Passengers: 2-4

Bags: 2

Examples: Fiat 500, Peugeot 108, Kia Picanto

Highlights: Mini cars are typically hatchbacks with two to four doors that can fit two adults and two children, and some luggage.

Estate rental car

Estate

Passengers: 5

Bags: 3-4

Examples: Ford Focus Estate, Volvo V70 Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate

Highlights: Estate cars are four-door wagons with hatchback trunks that can comfortably seat up to 5 passengers with luggage. These can also vary in performance and luxury features.

Car rental needs: Which car for what terrain and climate?

Learn more

Car classification codes

If you want to know exactly how car rental categories work and know what every specific model includes, then it’s useful to learn the SIPP or ACRISS car classification code. This is a rental car industry standard for defining exactly what characteristics make up each car.

  • The 1st character denotes the vehicle category – based on size, cost, power, and luxury factor
  • The 2nd character defines the vehicle type – chassis type (van, SUV, wagon, convertible, etc)
  • The 3rd character defines the transmission and drive – automatic / manual & 2WD / 4WD / AWD
  • The 4th character defines the fuel type (petrol / diesel / hybrid/ electric) and whether it has air conditioning

Rental car types – FAQ

A standard car rental is the step between the intermediate and full-size categories. A standard car is a larger sedan which can accomodate more passengers and luggage compared to an intermediate car. Standard cars generally have seating for 5 people and 3-4 suitcases.

Midsize vehicles, sometimes also referred to as intermediate vehicles, are a step up from economy or compact class rental cars, but are still less pricey than standard-size cars. They can include both sedans or SUVs that seat up to 5 passengers. They generally have 4 doors and fit 3-4 suitcases.

Full-size rental cars are 4-door cars that can comfortably seat 5 people and have storage room for 3-4 suitcases. They can include both sedans and SUVs.

A premium car rental falls between the full-size and luxury categories and is generally a larger-sized sedan car with additional room for passengers and plenty of trunk space for luggage. Premium cars will have 4 doors and should seat 5 adults comfortably.

Compact cars are typically a bit larger and pricier than economy cars. Economy cars are usually 2-door cars with seating for up to 4 occupants and storage space for a medium suitcase and a few small bags. Compact cars are 4-door cars that should be comfortable for up to 5 adults and have enough trunk space for at least 1 large suitcase and 1 medium suitcase as well as a few smaller bags.

Intermediate vehicles, or midsize vehicles, are a step up from economy or compact class rental cars, but are still less pricey than standard-size cars. They can include both sedans or SUVs that seat up to 5 passengers. They generally have 4 doors and fit 3-4 suitcases.

Luxury is the highest-priced car rental category. Luxury vehicles can include both sedans and SUVs. They will usually fit 5 people, with 2 large suitcases plus 2 small suitcases. They also generally come with added features like comfy seats, more powerful engines and fancier entertainment systems.

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