Car Classification Matrix
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 Matrix, replacing the original 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 Matrix has been continuously reviewed and updated to reflect evolving industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging market requirements. This includes 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.
Key Enhancements
The expanded matrix was developed to support:
- The growing diversity of vehicle body styles and chassis designs
- Emerging trends within the automotive and car rental industries
- 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
- Enhanced online search functionality and booking system logic
- Improved vehicle information to help consumers make informed booking decisions
The ACRISS Car Classification Matrix continues to evolve alongside the mobility industry, supporting greater accuracy, consistency, and transparency across global booking and distribution platforms.
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 | |||||||||
ACRISS Definition of “Elite”
The term “Elite” was introduced 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 vehicle may include differences in:
- Price
- Engine size or performance
- Vehicle features and technology
- Interior quality and comfort
- Brand positioning
- Additional equipment or specifications
This classification helps consumers and travel professionals better understand the quality and positioning of vehicles when making a booking.
Features & Benefits of the Expanded ACRISS Matrix
The expanded ACRISS Car Classification Matrix was developed to reflect the evolving automotive and mobility landscape while improving transparency and like-for-like vehicle comparisons.
Key Enhancements Include:
- 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
- Addition of an Oversize category to accommodate larger specialist vehicles, including Hummer-style models
- Expansion of vehicle Type codes with additional classifications such as:
- Roadster
- Coupe
- Special Offer / Promotional vehicles
- Reclassification of the existing “F” Type code from 4WD to SUV to better reflect changing market terminology and vehicle design trends
Fuel Type Classification
As fuel technology evolved, ACRISS introduced expanded fuel type coding to support the growing range of propulsion systems, 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 now includes:
- Petrol / Gasoline
- Diesel
- Hybrid
- Plug-in Hybrid
- Electric Vehicles (EV)
- Alternative fuel technologies
Drive Type Identification
In response to increasing global demand — particularly in North America and SUV markets — ACRISS incorporated drive type information into the classification structure to distinguish between:
- 2 Wheel Drive (2WD)
- 4 Wheel Drive (4WD)
- All Wheel Drive (AWD)
This enhancement, incorporated into the 3rd character of the code, improves vehicle comparison and supports more informed booking decisions.
Ongoing Matrix Developments
The ACRISS Matrix continues to evolve in line with industry innovation and emerging mobility trends, including:
- 2018 – Expansion of the “L” Type code to include Sedan vehicles in markets where “limousine” commonly refers to premium sedan cars
- 2019 – Updated Pickup classifications under Type codes “Q” and “P” to better reflect the wide variety of pickup vehicle styles available globally
- 2020 – Introduction of enhanced coding definitions for:
- Electric Vehicles (“E” and “C”)
- Hybrid Vehicles (“H” and “I”)
- 2025 – Introduction of Autonomous Vehicle classifications within the “Transmission/Drive” category to support SAE International Levels 3 to 5 autonomous driving standards. For further information, please visit our Autonomous Vehicles page.
| 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 –In the expanded matrix, classification of the Passenger Vans Category (1st character) is enhanced to identify passenger capacity, as per the chart.
For further information:
Further information available in Annex B of the ACRISS Code of Conduct or contact ACRISS by email info@acriss.org.