Your guide to rental car categories: Choosing the right rental car for you

The differences between rental car categories and their sub-categories (known as “classes”) can be subtle but impact how many people and bags you can bring – not to mention your overall comfort.

Renting a car can help you see different sides of your destination. But whether you’re cruising down the Californian coastline or journeying into mountainous backcountry, you’ll find that every trip has different needs. If you’ve ever wondered whether a small or medium-sized car is better suited for your upcoming travels, you’re not alone.

The differences between rental car categories and their sub-categories (known as “classes”) can be subtle but impact how many people and bags you can bring – not to mention your overall comfort. Ultimately, the length and type of trip will dictate the car you want to rent. If you’re spending a weekend away with just one other person, a smaller car will fit most needs. A four-person family, meanwhile, will require a larger vehicle with more seating and trunk space.

Whether you’re looking for functionality or flair, here’s everything you need to know about rental car categories and their defining features.

When to rent a small car

• Size: Small cars usually fit four to five people and have trunk space for one big bag and one small bag
• Class: Economy
• Model examples: Hyundai Accent, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Spark and Nissan Versa

Small cars are the tiniest and typically most affordable option in a rental company’s fleet. Small cars are fuel efficient and can deftly navigate through narrow or crowded streets – making them an economical choice if you're city-bound with few people or bags.

There are trade-offs, of course. Small cars run on weaker engines than other categories, so these vehicles perform best on flat terrains. Some small cars only feature two passenger-side doors, which can inconvenience anyone seated in the back. If you’re traveling with more than two passengers or have a lot of suitcases in tow, you might want to consider upgrading to a medium car to secure some extra room.

When to rent a medium car

• Size: Typically, medium cars have seats for two to five passengers and trunk space for up to four bags
• Classes: Compact,Intermediate, Mid-size, SUV
• Model examples: Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Kia Sportage

With good fuel efficiency and lower rates, medium cars are comparable to small cars but with slightly more interior space. The amount of extra room you get depends on the vehicle class you rent. Compact cars, for example, only have seats for two passengers but more legroom, while intermediate cars can fit up to five passengers and additional bags. Certain SUVs are also grouped in the medium category. Overall, medium cars are suited for fewer passengers on an extended trip with lots of bags, or four passengers on a shorter trip.

When to rent a large car

• Size: Large cars can comfortably fit four to eight people with trunk space for four to five bags
• Classes: Intermediate, Standard, Pickup, Full-size, SUV
• Model examples: Chrysler 200, Nissan Altima, Jeep Grand Cherokee, GMC Terrain

Large cars are the roomiest rental car category. In addition to being easy to drive, large cars provide ample leg and trunk space and accommodate many passengers – sometimes up to eight people.

Although large cars feature roughly the same amount of storage as medium cars, additional seats can make all the difference. Remember that some vehicles sacrifice trunk space to fit more passenger seats. It’s also worth noting that you may see certain car classes – intermediate and SUV, for example – appear in both medium and large car categories. In that case, those grouped as large cars are slightly more spacious.

When to rent a Premium car

• Size: Premium cars fit four to eight passengers as well as up to five bags in the trunk (up to two bags in convertibles)
• Classes: Premium*, Luxury, Convertible, SUV
*Note: Premium is a class within the Premium car category and is considered a small step below the Luxury class in both status and price point
• Model examples: BMW 5 Series, Ford Mustang, Lincoln Continental, Cadillac Escalade

Premium cars are the height of style and quality and are the highest-end category available to rent. Here is where you’ll find the premium, luxury, and convertible classes. Premium vehicles are often made by high-end brands with features you’d expect from top-of-the-line manufacturing, including attractive appearances, plush interiors and powerful engines. Think of premium cars like nicer medium or large vehicles with added features and a higher price tag.

Choosing the right rental car for you

Here are your options so you can easily compare:

What “or similar” means when renting a car

It’s impossible for rental companies to guarantee a specific rental car on any given day. Apart from upgrading the models in their fleet, rental companies often need to remove vehicles from their lots for repairs, servicing or cleaning. You may notice the words “or similar” next to the model advertised to indicate that, on arrival, you may receive a different model in the same category – in other words, one of similar size, features and number of seats.