Car classes explained

When customers book a reservation, it is always for a car class, not a particular car make or model. If booked online or by reservation line operator, there are examples of cars listed and you must heed to smaller print "or similar" after the car example. We do mean "or similar" car to be picked up when you arrive at the counter. All car rentals are like this. No reservation line operator will have vehicle inventories of every rental location in the country/world in their computer so: If you require a specific make and model to be rented you must call the rental location directly and ask what they carry in the car class you require, there is often a number on automated systems's list to reach a live person at the counter. If not, hit zero (it usually works for me if a number is not listed in the choices for an agent).

Now the car classes in more detail. They are not classified by size, but by features. In America, all cars made have radios, air bags, automatic transmission (engines can get ruined with people unfamiliar with a stick shift so rental owners buy automatic cars), CD players, air conditioning/heat, anti-lock brakes/ABS brakes, and scratches on the back bumper where people take out their luggage. The differences between car classes are as follows:

Subcompact/Economy or Compact are very much the same cars only Subcompact/Economy are 2 doors and Compacts are 4 doors. This class had manuel windows, locks, seat adjusters, etc., 4-cylinder engine, and low and small trunks. Often there is a loop handle on the back seat that can be pulled down to allow extra trunk space, but not all. Most cars in this class have cruise control, but occasionly some do not. If you are a tall person, the roof may brush against your hair more than you would like. This car class has 5 seat belts but rather a tight squeeze if the 3 back seat riders are adults.

Mid-size/Intermediate are the same car. 2 door vs. 4 door are not regularly separated in this class. This class has power locks and windows, dual mirrors, manuel and powered seat adjusters, higher and wider trunk, and 4 or 6-cylinder engine. This class is most frequently reserved by companies reserving for their employees so they are first to be sold out on. The roof is higher above the driver and the back seat riders have more leg room. This class has 5 seat belts.

Standard/Full-size are the same car except Standard is 2 door and Full is 4 door. Sometimes Standar 4 door depending on the company. In my opinion, this class simply has more buttons to push with power locks, steering, windows, seat adjusters, etc. This class has 6-cylinder engines, and some are superpowered. Sunroofs are common in this class but I have seen sunroofs in compact and mid-size cars too. I have also seen leather seats in this category, but not as frequent so you may have to pay extra to get the leather seat in this category. The trunk is quite large enough to fit a couple Santa Clauses. This class more often has 5 seat belts, but sometimes bench seats are in the front seat providing 6 seat belts. If you require the bench seat, you need to call ahead of your arrival to check on its availability. Sorry, bucket seats are very common in the front seats of American cars.

Premium is a full-size with a bigger trunk (fits 3 Santa Clauses), often sunroof, and very frequent leather interiors. Often they had a bench front seat seating 6 people, but not always. Otherwise, they have 5 seat belts.

The next class is Luxury. This is always leather interior with supecharged 6-cylinder engine, sunroof, spacious leg room for all, and an awesome trunk fitting 4 Santa Clauses. And, of course more buttons like climate control and on star (though location may or may not provide on star service). This class very unlikely have bucket seats, but still frquently will contain 5 seat belts, sometimes a front bench seat will seat 6.

Stepping away from cars to the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). These were first made to be 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive, but during the past couple years have been coming in 2 wheel drive (front wheel drive) making many of my customers upset expecting all SUV's to be 4 wheel drive. Open large trunk and high off the ground making it a favorite in snowy weather carries often 4-6 people depending on the size, though I had heard of some fitting up to 8 people.

Minivans seating 6-8 people often have DVD players (but not all have DVD players). Vans seating 15 people are less common than the minivans so it is best to ask the counter agents first how many people can be squeezed in their vans. Also, the Stow and Go seating that folds up into the floor are rarer than the regular minivans so it best to ask if one is available beforehand. I think most people know what a minivan looks like so I won't go into features further.

And a word to the wise: Just because you see a commerical of a new car does not mean a car rental will be in possession of it. Car rentals buy cars once or twice a year so new models are unlikely to be purchased right after they come out. Besides, car rental owners desire to see the popularity of new models before they buy them for their customers. I heard car rentals are starting to obtain hybrid cars now.

Genie Out.