The Truth About Rental Car Bookings: Understanding Car Classes vs. Specific Models

Many consumers expect to get the identical brand and model they see in the booking photos when they rent a car. This is seldom the case, though. Rather, automobile rental firms classify their cars into classes, so you're hiring a group of cars rather than a single vehicle. Let's examine why this occurs and how to choose wisely while hiring a vehicle.

Why Car Rentals Are Based on Classes, Not Specific Models

To guarantee availability and flexibility, car rental businesses classify their fleets into several vehicle types. This is due to:

Fleet Management: Due to demand, availability, and upkeep, rental businesses oversee sizable fleets that undergo regular changes.

Vehicle Variability: Since supply varies by region, it is hard to always guarantee a particular model.

Industry Standard Classification: The ACRISS Code System is used by rental firms to categorize vehicles according to their size, type, transmission, and fuel options.

Understanding Rental Car Categories

Vehicles are categorized by rental firms into groups like:

Economy cars: (like the Hyundai i10 and Toyota Yaris) are little, fuel-efficient vehicles that are perfect for city driving.

Compact cars: (like the Ford Focus and VW Golf) are a little bigger and have more room for luggage, but they're still reasonably priced.

Midsize cars: (like the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla) strike a mix between affordability and comfort.

Full-size vehicles: (like the Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord) More roomy, ideal for lengthy journeys.

SUVs: (like the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue) are excellent for families and tough terrain.

Luxury & Premium: Expensive vehicles with extra comfort (e.g., Mercedes C-Class, BMW 5 Series).

Why You Might Get a Different Car Than Expected

The automobile you get depends on a number of factors:

Availability at the Rental Location: You will be assigned a comparable model in the same class if the car of your choice is not available.

Fleet Rotation & Demand: Based on bookings, returns, and maintenance plans, rental businesses rotate their fleets on a regular basis.

Last-Minute Reservations: There are fewer alternatives available the later you book, which raises the possibility of substitutes.

Tips to Get the Car You Want

Here's how to increase your chances, even though you can't always guarantee a particular model:

Make your reservation as soon as possible to increase the likelihood of obtaining your desired vehicle.

Choose a Well-Stocked Location: Airports and major city centers have larger inventories.

Join a Loyalty Program: Members often get priority upgrades and better car selections.

Request at Pickup: If your preferred car is available, staff may be able to accommodate your request.

You may make better judgments and steer clear of unpleasant surprises at the counter by being aware that automobile rentals are based on categories rather than individual models. Instead of concentrating on a certain automobile in the photos, always schedule a lesson that suits your needs. In this manner, your rental experience will be easy and stress-free.