SIXT wants to help you confidently choose the right rent a car by better understanding the ACRISS car rental code system. Knowing what car code letters mean provides you with a clearer idea of the vehicle class and characteristics of any model. Feel more certain that your car rental will meet your expectations and your requirements with our guide to the ACRISS rental car classification codes.
Our vehicle categories are based on the ACRISS coding system, with a few adaptations. Some classifications are SIXT-defined and may differ from the official ACRISS standard.
What are ACRISS codes?
ACRISS (Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards) developed a car rental class code system that helps those interested in renting a car make a more informed decision. The system can be a useful guide when trying to select a rent a car best suited to your needs from the SIXT fleet.
How to Read ACRISS Car Rental Codes
Each code has four letters representing the different attributes of a vehicle.
- Vehicles are first assigned to a category according to their size (length and trunk volume).
- Secondly, premium OEM vehicles are separated into a dedicated "Elite" subcategory per size category.
- The body style, transmission, and engine type will be defined by the last three digits.
Addition:
- V as 4th letter indicates a car with 5+2 seats
- D as 3rd letter indicates a car with All-Wheel-Drive (AWD)
Each Letter of our classification system explained:
| 1st Letter: Category |
|---|
M = Mini |
E = Economy |
H = Economy Elite |
C = Compact |
D = Compact Elite |
I = Intermediate |
J = Intermediate Elite |
S = Standard |
R = Standard Elite |
F = Fullsize |
G = Fullsize Elite |
P = Premium |
U = Premium Elite |
L = Luxury |
W = Luxury Elite |
X = Extraordinary |
O = Oversize |
| 2nd Letter: Body Type |
|---|
B = 2-door Sedan |
W = Wagon |
C = 4-door Sedan/Gran Coupé |
F = SUV |
T = Convertible |
P = 2-door-Pick-up |
E = 2-door-Coupé |
V = Van |
Q = 4-door-Pick-up |
Z = Lucky Dip Vehicle |
| 3rd Letter: Drive Type |
|---|
M = Manual |
A = Automatic |
D = 4-Wheel Drive (Automatic) |
L* = Luxury Vehicles (Automatic) |
S* = Special Cars (Automatic) |
| 4th Letter: Fuel & Air Con |
|---|
R = ICE vehicle |
H = PHEV vehicle |
E = BEV vehicles (Short Range) |
C = BEV vehicles (Long Range) |
V* = 5+2 Seater vehicles (ICE) |
P* = additional differentiator for luxury cars |
Y* = additional differentiator for luxury cars |
Please note: Entries marked with an asterisk (*) reflect SIXT's own vehicle classifications and are not official ACRISS-defined categories.
Some acriss code examples
| Acriss code | Vehicle groups | Vehicle Examples |
|---|---|---|
IFAR | Intermediate SUV | Hyundai Tucson |
GVAR | Elite Van with 7+ seats | Mercedes Benz V-Class (7 seats) |
CCAR | Compact 4-door Sedan | Nissan Versa |
GFDR | Full size Elite SUV - 4-Wheel-Drive | BMW X5 |
XCAC | Extraordinary Electric 4-door Sedan (long-range) | BMW i7 |
Note on Passenger Vans: Vans follow a special ACRISS definition where the category letter (1st letter) also indicates passenger capacity. For example, GVAR represents an Elite Van with 7+ seats and extra space. SIXT's van fleet goes up to 9 seats (WF category).
Some of our Most Popular Categories
Premium Elite Sedan
e.g. BMW 5-series
Full Size Standard Sedan
e.g. Nissan Altima
Intermediate 5 Seater SUV
e.g. BMW X1
FAQs
ACRISS indicates the vehicle class, not a guaranteed model. You’ll always receive a vehicle from the same category or higher.
Yes. The third letter shows transmission: A = Automatic, M = Manual.
Letter combinations like H, E, C in the 4th Letter (Fuel & Air Con) mark hybrid or electric technologies.
Yes, SUVs and vans are included in ACRISS categories. These vehicle types are specifically represented in the 2nd letter (Body Type) of the four-letter ACRISS code.
You’ll receive a vehicle from the same ACRISS class even if the exact model is unavailable.
No, rental groups do not mean guaranteed models. The ACRISS coding system represents vehicle categories and characteristics, not specific guaranteed models.
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