I thought this could be a cool resource for people when they rent a car as to what they *actually* got for the size car they rented.

As we all know, car rental companies often stretch the definitions to an absurd degree, or they'll list "____ or similar" and the similar is not so similar. So its sometimes very difficult to know which cars you will actually get when booking.

I'll do a list below of the various car "sizes" and what the descriptions are. I'll try to keep it updated every once in awhile when people chime in.

So please contribute!

Economy -- Mitsubishi Mirage or similar
Compact -- Nissan Versa or similar
Intermediate -- Hyundai Elantra or similar
Standard -- Buick Verano or similar
Fullsize -- Nissan Altima or similar
Premium -- Nissan Maxima or similar
Luxury -- Cadillac XTS or similar
Intermediate SUV -- Ford Escape or similar
Standard SUV -- Hyundai Santa Fe or similar
Fullsize SUV -- Chevy Tahoe or similar
Premium SUV -- Chevy Suburban or similar
Luxury SUV -- Lincoln Navigator or similar

(all of these are taken from Enterprise)

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Posted by Fun Bunch

New Orleans

Member since May 2008

115892 posts

Posted on 11/2/17 at 3:13 pm to Fun Bunch

reserved

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Posted by Borgishsmorg

ATL

Member since Jan 2011

492 posts

Posted on 11/2/17 at 9:51 pm to Fun Bunch

Worked for a rental car company for 5 years. If you're looking for a free upgrade, it's best to book one of these classes as not as many are carried:

Economy - Upgraded to Compact
Standard - Upgraded to Fullsize

The main core of a rental fleet are Compact, Intermediate, and Fullsize cars. Normally anything larger than that, you'll get exactly what you reserved.

If anyone wants a list of the cars in each category, I'm happy to complete the list for the most part.

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Posted by Fun Bunch

New Orleans

Member since May 2008

115892 posts

Posted on 11/2/17 at 9:56 pm to Borgishsmorg

Premium?

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Posted by Borgishsmorg

ATL

Member since Jan 2011

492 posts

Posted on 11/2/17 at 10:05 pm to Fun Bunch

Premium - Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon, Chrysler 300.

You'll most likely end up with a 300 or Maxima.

If you're looking for a sports cars that will be a Dodge Challenger, Chevy Camaro, or a Ford Mustang.

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Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy

Member since Jul 2011

29532 posts

Posted on 11/3/17 at 8:47 am to Borgishsmorg

quote:
If anyone wants a list of the cars in each category, I'm happy to complete the list for the most part.

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Posted by TigerTaco

Baton Rouge

Member since Jan 2011

373 posts

Posted on 11/5/17 at 9:10 pm to Borgishsmorg

quote:
Worked for a rental car company for 5 years. If you're looking for a free upgrade, it's best to book one of these classes as not as many are carried: Economy - Upgraded to Compact Standard - Upgraded to Fullsize

Reserved standard SUVs the last two times I rented vehicles and both times I was upgraded.

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Posted by madamsquirrel

The Snarlington Estate

Member since Jul 2009

48605 posts

Posted on 11/5/17 at 10:27 pm to TigerTaco

trying to decide between a standard suv or a minivan (because it seems to have more room) any advice?

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Posted by RaginCajunz

Member since Mar 2009

5356 posts

Posted on 11/6/17 at 9:39 am to madamsquirrel

Most recent rentals (Enterprise)

Standard SUV in Las Vegas:
Dodge Journey (Picked because of 3rd row)
GMC Terrain

Intermediate SUV in Prairieville
Ford Escape

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Posted by Evolved Simian

Bushwood Country Club

Member since Sep 2010

20515 posts

Posted on 11/7/17 at 11:58 pm to madamsquirrel

quote:
trying to decide between a standard suv or a minivan (because it seems to have more room) any advice?

A minivan will definitely have more room. My rule of thumb when traveling has always been to go with the standard SUV if there are three of us or less. Four or more plus luggage, I'll pretty much always take the minivan.

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Posted by alphamicro

Shreveport

Member since Mar 2012

539 posts

Posted on 11/8/17 at 9:19 am to Fun Bunch

Premium from Thrifty at SFO in August was a Chrysler 300 (which was really a nice and peppy car).

This post was edited on 11/9/17 at 10:15 am

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Posted by Borgishsmorg

ATL

Member since Jan 2011

492 posts

Posted on 11/9/17 at 7:51 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy

Economy - Chevy Spark, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio

Compact - Nissan Versa, Nissan Note, Chevy Sonic, Fiat 500

Intermediate - Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze, Nissan Sentra, Ford Focus, Kia Forte

Standard - Kia Soul, Chrysler 200, Buick Verano, VW Jetta

Fullsize - Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Ford Fusion

Premium - Chrysler 300, Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Genesis, Buick Lacrosse

Sport - Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger

Small SUV - Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Renegade

Standard SUV - Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Edge, Kia Sorrento, Hyundai SantaFe, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevy Equinox

Large SUV - Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada

Premium SUV - Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, Ford Expedition EXL

Minivan - Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona, Toyota Sienna

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