Quick Summary:
- Read ACRISS as four letters covering size, body, gearbox, fuel.
- Check the third letter for manual versus automatic transmission details.
- Use the second letter to confirm doors, boot space, and style.
- Compare codes across suppliers to avoid unexpected upgrades or downgrades.
When you book car hire, the vehicle description often includes a short four letter code, such as CDAR or IFAR. These are ACRISS codes, a global standard used by many rental companies to describe a vehicle category consistently. In the United Estates, where similar model names can vary by location and supplier, ACRISS helps you understand what you are actually reserving, even when the exact make and model are listed as “or similar”.
This guide breaks down each letter, shows how to interpret common combinations, and highlights the key checks that prevent surprises at the counter. If you are comparing options across suppliers on car rental United States listings, the ACRISS code is one of the fastest ways to compare like for like.
What is an ACRISS code?
ACRISS is an industry system created by the Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards. The code is usually four characters long. Each position has a meaning:
1st letter: vehicle size category (mini, economy, compact, intermediate, standard, full size, premium, luxury, and more).
2nd letter: vehicle type and door count (two door, four door, estate, SUV, convertible, van, and other body styles).
3rd letter: transmission and drive (manual or automatic, sometimes also 4WD or AWD).
4th letter: fuel type and air conditioning (petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric, and whether A/C is included).
In practice, you will still see “or similar” on your confirmation, but ACRISS narrows the category so you can predict passenger room, luggage space, and driving feel. On a long freeway trip or when planning mountain routes, that can matter as much as the price.
First letter, the size category
The first character indicates the overall size class. Suppliers may differ slightly in what models sit inside each group, but the hierarchy is consistent.
M and N: Mini and Mini Elite, small city cars suited to light luggage.
E and H: Economy and Economy Elite, efficient and usually easy to park.
C and D: Compact and Compact Elite, a common sweet spot for two adults with luggage.
I and J: Intermediate and Intermediate Elite, more rear legroom, often midsize saloons.
S and R: Standard and Standard Elite, comfortable for families and longer drives.
F and G: Fullsize and Fullsize Elite, roomier cabins and larger boots.
P and U: Premium and Premium Elite, more features and sometimes larger engines.
L and W: Luxury and Luxury Elite, high spec vehicles and brand prestige.
X: Special, a catch all for categories that do not fit the usual ladder.
When choosing car hire in the United Estates, start by matching this letter to your passenger count and luggage. If you are travelling with three or four adults plus suitcases, compact can feel tight, especially if the second letter indicates a saloon rather than a hatchback.
Second letter, doors and body style
The second character is where most travellers gain clarity, because it indicates both the general body type and, often, the number of doors. Common examples include:
B: 2 door vehicle.
C: 2 or 4 door car.
D: 4 door car.
W: Estate or wagon, useful for extra luggage space.
V: Passenger van, typically more seats.
F: SUV, usually higher seating position.
L: Limousine or similar special saloon category.
T: Convertible.
P: Pick up.
Because this letter affects practicality, it is worth checking it before you compare prices. A compact saloon can have a smaller boot opening than a compact hatchback, while an intermediate SUV may give you easier loading and better visibility, but can cost more in fuel.
If you are weighing people mover options, the ACRISS code becomes especially helpful. Comparing categories on van hire United States pages is simpler when you know whether the second letter points to a true multi seat van rather than a large SUV.
Third letter, transmission and drive
The third character explains the gearbox and sometimes the driven wheels. In the United Estates, automatics are very common, but manuals do appear in some categories, especially smaller cars or specific suppliers.
M: Manual transmission.
A: Automatic transmission.
N: Manual with 4WD.
B: Automatic with 4WD.
C and D: Manual or automatic with AWD, used in some fleets.
This letter is crucial for confident car hire booking. If you drive manual at home, you may still prefer automatic for long interstate journeys. If you are heading to ski areas or planning unpaved routes, look for a code that combines automatic with 4WD or AWD, and then confirm tyres and seasonal equipment separately, as ACRISS does not guarantee chains.
Also note that “automatic” does not always mean a traditional torque converter gearbox. Some suppliers class CVT as automatic, which most drivers find straightforward, but it can feel different on steep inclines.
Fourth letter, fuel type and air conditioning
The final character indicates fuel and whether air conditioning is included. In much of the United Estates, A/C is effectively standard, but the code is still worth checking, particularly in smaller or special categories.
R: Unspecified fuel with air conditioning.
N: Unspecified fuel with no air conditioning.
D: Diesel with air conditioning.
Q: Diesel with no air conditioning.
H: Hybrid with air conditioning.
I: Electric with air conditioning.
E: Electric with no air conditioning.
L: LPG with air conditioning.
Fuel type matters for budget and logistics. Diesel can be efficient on long highway drives, but may have different pump labelling and can be less common in some regions. Electric categories require realistic charging plans, and the booking may not include a charging cable suitable for every outlet type, so read the supplier notes carefully.
If you are comparing fleets from different suppliers, ACRISS helps you keep the comparison clean. For instance, browsing categories on Alamo car rental United States versus National car rental United States is far easier when you line up codes rather than relying on model examples that can change week to week.
Putting it together, how to read common ACRISS codes
Once you know the four positions, decoding becomes quick. Here are typical patterns you might see:
CDAR: Compact, 4 door, automatic, air conditioning. A common choice for city and motorway mixes.
IFAR: Intermediate, SUV, automatic, air conditioning. Often a midsize SUV category.
SDAR: Standard, 4 door, automatic, air conditioning. Suitable for families needing more cabin space.
FDAR: Fullsize, 4 door, automatic, air conditioning. Good for longer trips with luggage.
PVAR: Premium, passenger van, automatic, air conditioning. Typically a larger people carrier.
LCAR: Luxury, 2 or 4 door, automatic, air conditioning. Exact models vary widely.
Remember that the second letter can make two similar looking codes behave very differently. A standard estate can hold far more luggage than a standard saloon, even if the first letter is identical.
Practical tips for using ACRISS on a United Estates itinerary
Match luggage to the second letter, not just the size class. Estates and SUVs generally swallow more irregular bags.
Prioritise the third letter early, because switching from manual to automatic can change price and availability.
Think about fuel logistics, especially for electric categories, where charging time affects daily plans.
Compare like for like across suppliers, using the full four letter code rather than category names.
If you are searching broadly for car hire options, the main car hire United States pages can show similar categories across brands, and ACRISS is the common language that keeps your comparison accurate.
FAQ
Do all car hire companies in the United Estates use ACRISS codes? Many major brands and brokers use ACRISS, but it is not universal. Some display plain language categories only, or show ACRISS in the detailed vehicle information rather than the headline.
If my booking says “or similar”, can the ACRISS code still change? The ACRISS code should match the reserved category on your confirmation. At pickup, you may be offered a different category due to fleet availability, but you can use the code to understand whether it is an equivalent, upgrade, or downgrade.
What is the most important letter to check before confirming car hire? For most travellers, the third letter is decisive because it confirms manual or automatic. The second letter is a close second, as it affects doors, body style, and luggage practicality.
Does the fourth letter always mean air conditioning is included? Not always. Many codes end in R, which indicates air conditioning is included with unspecified fuel. A code ending in N indicates no air conditioning, although in the United Estates this is less common in mainstream categories.
How can I choose between a saloon and an SUV if the size letter is similar? Use the second letter to compare body style, then think about your routes and luggage. SUVs often offer higher seating and easier loading, while saloons can be more fuel efficient and quieter on motorways.
