ACRISS Car Codes Explained

Car Classification System

The original ACRISS Car Classification matrix was developed using the SIPP system adopted by the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and was successfully used throughout the industry for many years. However, as vehicle technology and design evolved, it became necessary to expand and modernise the matrix to provide more accurate, detailed, and descriptive vehicle classifications.

In 2006, ACRISS launched the current expanded Car Classification system, replacing the original matrix and structure to better reflect developments in vehicle design, manufacturing trends, and consumer expectations. The enhanced matrix was created to improve transparency and provide customers with greater clarity and confidence when booking car rental vehicles.

Since its introduction, the ACRISS Car Classification system has been continuously reviewed and updated to reflect evolving industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging market requirements. This includes the trend towards SUVs and the introduction of enhanced definitions and coding for Electric and Hybrid vehicles, as well as forward-looking developments to support future mobility innovations such as Autonomous Vehicle classifications.

Car Classification System – Expanded Matrix

CATEGORY			TYPE			TRANSMISSION / DRIVE			FUEL/AIR COND.
M	Mini		B	2-3 Door		M	Manual Unspecified Drive		R	Unspecified Fuel/Power Combustion Engine Air
N	Mini Elite		C	2/4 Door		N	Manual 4WD		N	Unspecified Fuel/Power Combustion Engine No Air
E	Economy		D	4-5 Door		C	Manual AWD		D	Diesel Air
H	Economy Elite		W	Wagon/Estate		A	Auto Unspecified Drive		Q	Diesel No Air
C	Compact		V	Passenger Van		B	Auto 4WD		H	Hybrid Air
D	Compact Elite		L	Limousine/Sedan		D	Auto AWD		I	Hybrid Plug in Air
I	Intermediate		S	Sport		Q	AV Level 3 Conditional Automation		E	Electric
J	Intermediate Elite		T	Convertible		H	AV Level 4 High Automation		C	Electric
S	Standard		F	SUV		F	AV Level 5 Full Automation		L	LPG/Compressed Gas Air
R	Standard Elite		J	Open Air All Terrain					S	LPG/Compressed Gas No Air
F	Fullsize		X	Special					A	Hydrogen Air
G	Fullsize Elite		P	Pick up (single/extended cab) 2 door					B	Hydrogen No Air
P	Premium		Q	Pick up (double cab) 4 door					M	Multi Fuel/Power Air
U	Premium Elite		Z	Special Offer Car					F	Multi fuel/power No Air
L	Luxury		E	Coupe					V	Petrol Air
W	Luxury Elite		M	Monospace					Z	Petrol No Air
O	Oversize		R	Recreational Vehicle					U	Ethanol Air
X	Special		H	Motor Home					X	Ethanol No Air
			Y	2 Wheel Vehicle
			N	Roadster
			G	Crossover
			K	Commercial Van/Truck

The expanded matrix was developed to support

• Introduction of  “Elite” coding within the category band across most existing vehicle categories, enabling differentiation between standard, premium, luxury, and high-specification models of similar size
• The growing diversity of vehicle body styles and chassis designs
• Emerging trends within the automotive and car rental industries such as SUVs
• A wider range of fuel types, including electric and hybrid vehicles
• Clear differentiation between 2WD, 4WD, and AWD vehicles, particularly within SUV and crossover categories
• An increasing variety of vehicle models, speciality vehicles, and promotional fleet offerings
• Support of enhanced online search logic via electronic distribution systems (GDS and OTAs)
• Improved vehicle information to help consumers make informed booking decisions

The ACRISS Car Classification System continues to evolve alongside the mobility industry, supporting greater accuracy, consistency, and transparency across global booking and distribution platforms.

Features & Benefits of the Expanded ACRISS Car Classification System

The expanded ACRISS Car Classification System was developed to reflect the evolving automotive and mobility landscape while improving transparency and like-for-like vehicle comparisons.

Car Categories and “Elite” categories

Vehicles are classified under categories from Mini to Luxury and Special cars using the 1^st character  code of the matrix. For our members each model is classified using the ACRISS Algorithm based on price, engine size, BHP, seats, doors and capacity see ACRISS Algorithm for more information.

The term “Elite” was introduced to the existing vehicle categories by ACRISS to identify vehicles that offer a higher specification or enhanced experience compared with another vehicle of a similar body size or category.

The distinction between a standard and Elite vehicles in the categories may include differences in price, engine size and performance, vehicle features, additional specifications and brand positioning.

This classification helps consumers and travel professionals better understand the quality and positioning of vehicles when making a booking.

Enhanced Car Types

A full comprehensive list of different car types to meet emerging trends using the 2^nd character code.

• Expansion of the “L” Type code to include Sedan vehicles in markets where “limousine” commonly refers to premium sedan cars
• Reclassification of the existing “F” Type code from 4WD to SUV to better reflect changing market terminology and vehicle design trends
• Interchangeable “F” and “G” codes for SUV
• Special offer cars under “Z”
• Updated Pickup classifications under “Q” and “P” codes to better reflect the wide variety of pickup vehicle styles available globally (single and double cab)

Transmission/Drive Identification

In response to increasing global demand — particularly in North America and SUV markets . This enhancement, using the 3rd character of the code,  expanded  transmission and drive information to distinguish between and improves vehicle comparison:

• 2 Wheel Drive (2WD) – Codes “M” or “A”
• 4 Wheel Drive (4WD)  – Codes “N” or “B”
• All Wheel Drive (AWD) – Code “C” or “D”
• Introduction of Autonomous Vehicle classifications “Q”, “H” and “F” to support SAE International Levels 3 to 5 autonomous driving standards.  For further information Autonomous Vehicles page.

Fuel Type Classification

As fuel technology evolved, ACRISS introduced expanded fuel type coding to support the growing range of combustion engines,  alternative fuels and electric/hybrid vehicles, particularly in regions where environmental incentives or taxation differ by fuel type.

Fuel type identification is incorporated within the 4th character of the ACRISS code and includes both combustion engines and electric/hybrid vehicles.    Further definitions and descriptions were added to make this distinction including the removal of Air conditioning options for electric/Hybrid vehicles,   see Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

• • Electric Vehicles “E” and “C” both interchangeable
  • Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles “H” and “I”

Additional coding to be used with ACRISS Car Classification system

ACRISS Passenger Van Coding to be used with “V” type (2nd character) passenger van code

	PASSENGER VAN CODING
	IV	6+ Seats
	JV	Elite 6+ Seats or 5+2 seats
	SV	7+ seats
	RV	Elite 7+ Seats
	FV	7+ Seats, plus more space
	GV	Elite 7+ Seats plus more space
	PV	8+ Seats
	UV	Elite 8+ Seats
	LV	9+ Seats
	WV	Elite 9+ Seats
	XV	12+ Seats
	OV	15+ Seats

Passenger Vans –The passenger van code type “V” (2^ND character)  in the ACRISS Car Classification System is enhanced to identify passenger capacity, as per the above table.

The 1^st character, normally used for category, before the “V” passenger van code denotes the number of seats/passengers and not the category.

For further information:

Further information available in Annex B of the ACRISS Code of Conduct or contact ACRISS by email info@acriss.org.