{"id":13740,"date":"2015-06-09T10:30:03","date_gmt":"2015-06-09T09:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.economycarhire.com\/blog\/?p=13740"},"modified":"2025-01-17T10:24:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T10:24:19","slug":"car-hire-classes-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zestcarrental.com\/blog\/car-hire-classes-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Car Hire Categories Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

*Updated 2022*<\/em><\/p>\n

We try to ensure our website and booking process are as clear for our customers as possible. We know the car hire industry has a bit of a bad name when it comes to confusing terms or not being transparent and this is applicable to the cars themselves. Have you ever tried to book a hire car only to be completely bewildered when your vehicle is confirmed as a CDMR<\/em> or a SWMR<\/em>? That’s why we’ve explained car hire classes\u00a0below.<\/p>\n

On our search result screens we only show the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Supplier’s name.<\/li>\n
  2. Car type \u2013 picture & manufacturer (or similar).<\/li>\n
  3. Important information \u2013 Fair Fuel Policy or Desk in Airport etc.<\/li>\n
  4. How much luggage the car will roughly take.<\/li>\n
  5. Price (including any free extras such as additional driver and built-in excess protection).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"car<\/p>\n

    We believe this is the clearest way to display the information and makes comparisons easy. But what about the cars themselves?<\/p>\n

    Why haven\u2019t I got the hire car I booked?<\/h2>\n

    This is quite a commonly asked question throughout the car hire industry. Unfortunately, car hire suppliers can\u2019t always guarantee a specific make or model of vehicle. When making a car hire booking, you\u2019re booking a category of vehicle rather than a specific car. This can be because the suppliers may have alternatives in their fleet, the car may have been returned late or involved in an accident. This is why we mention \u201cor similar car\u201d next to each available vehicle. The car you are given by the supplier should always be of a similar size or specification as the one listed.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What does \u201cor similar\u201d mean?<\/h2>\n

    When you book a rental car, companies will list a model to give an indication of the type of vehicle you\u2019ll receive. You don\u2019t book a specific model such as a Fiesta, instead you book a category based on the type of vehicle you want e.g. an estate or an MPV.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s assume you book a \u201cVW Polo or similar\u201d but receive a Dacia Logan. According to SIPP (see below) a VW Polo and Dacia Logan are broadly similar and therefore interchangeable. It\u2019s not saying they\u2019re exactly the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Factors taken into consideration when categorising vehicles and grouping them together include size, number of doors, transmission, fuel, air conditioning, and luxury factor.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Brand reputation, engine size, top speed, torque, or looks are not taken into consideration.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What are ACRISS\/SIPP codes?<\/h2>\n

    The similarities of various cars are usually calculated by ACRISS. This is the industry standard for describing a hire vehicle in a few letters e.g. CDMR<\/strong>. It enables cars to be compared easily by grouping similar cars together.<\/p>\n

    Each letter describes something unique – the vehicle category, the number of doors, the transmission, and fuel & air conditioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Category<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nTransmission\/Drive<\/th>\nFuel\/Air Cond<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    M<\/strong> Mini<\/td>\nB<\/strong> 2-3 door<\/td>\nM<\/strong> Manual Unspecified Drive<\/td>\nR<\/strong> Unspecified Fuel\/Power with Air<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    N<\/strong> Mini Elite<\/td>\nC<\/strong> 2\/4 door<\/td>\nA<\/strong> Auto Unspecified Drive<\/td>\nN<\/strong> Unspecified Fuel\/Power without Air<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    E<\/strong> Economy<\/td>\nD<\/strong> 4-5 door<\/td>\n<\/td>\nD<\/strong> Diesel with Air<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    H<\/strong> Economy Elite<\/td>\nW<\/strong> Wagon\/Estate<\/td>\n<\/td>\nQ<\/strong> Diesel without Air<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    C<\/strong> Compact<\/td>\nV<\/strong> Passenger Van<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    D<\/strong> Compact Elite<\/td>\nS<\/strong> Sport<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    I<\/strong> Intermediate<\/td>\nT<\/strong> Convertible<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    J<\/strong> Intermediate Elite<\/td>\nF<\/strong> SUV<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    S<\/strong> Standard<\/td>\nJ<\/strong> Open Air All Terrain<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    F<\/strong> Fullsize<\/td>\nE<\/strong> Coupe<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    P<\/strong> Premium<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    L<\/strong> Luxury<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    So, an XNMV<\/strong> would be a: Premium Elite, Roadster, Manual, Petrol car with A\/C. Aston Martin Vanquish or Porsche 918.<\/p>\n

    Whereas an ECAQ<\/strong> would be an: Economy, 2\/3 door, Auto, diesel car with no A\/C. Sounds like a Fiat Punto or Nissan Micra to me.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s a simple system but some codes can be confusing. Code _C__<\/strong> for example indicates a 2\/4 door car. How can this be you ask? Well, you\u2019re paying for a 2 door hire car but if there are no two-door vehicles from this category available, you\u2019ll be upgraded to a 4 door which usually means more space!<\/p>\n

    Car description<\/h2>\n

    Some suppliers will use a car description rather than SIPP codes to group vehicles. This is meant to make things easier for customers. A rough breakdown is as follows:<\/p>\n