We understand that when you’re looking to rent a car, you may have a preference for a specific vehicle. However, rental companies do not guarantee an exact car based on brand, model, year, colour, or other specific details.
This is because fleets are organized into vehicle categories, each made up of different models that share similar characteristics.
How do the categories work?
When you select a category, you are choosing a set of features (such as size, type, and capacity), not a specific vehicle.
At pick-up, the rental company may provide any model within that category, as long as it meets the contracted specifications.
Additionally, it is important to highlight that even within categories, rental companies work with groups of similar vehicles. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the specifications of the selected option, as these are exactly the criteria the rental company will use to offer a similar model if the advertised vehicle is not available.
How to differentiate vehicle category and vehicle group?
Category (what Rentcars uses)
The category is a reference standard used by the platform to organize the types of cars shown in the search results.
It helps customers compare different options (for example: Economy, Compact, SUV, Luxury).
The category does not represent an exact model, but a set of characteristics, such as:
car size
trunk capacity
number of passengers
transmission type
comfort level
Important:
The category is a way to standardize the comparison between different rental companies, but it does not indicate the real fleet of any company.
Vehicle group (belongs to the rental company, not the platform)
The vehicle group is an internal classification used by each rental company to organize its real fleet.
Each rental company defines its own groups and which models belong to each one.
Groups vary between companies; factors such as name, code, and models can change completely.
Example:
For one rental company, group “B” may include Fiat Argo, VW Polo and Peugeot 208.
For another rental company, group “B” may include Fiat Mobi and Renault Kwid.
Important:
The platform does not create, control, or guarantee vehicle groups; this is exclusively the rental company’s responsibility.
Is the vehicle’s year guaranteed? Will the car be new?
We know that many customers like to know how new their rental car will be. However, because the rental company’s fleet is dynamic and changes according to daily availability, it is not possible to guarantee:
the exact year of manufacture of the vehicle;
whether the car will be brand new or very recent;
the mileage it will have.
But rest assured! All cars undergo regular maintenance and follow the rental company’s quality standards, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience during your trip.
Rental companies renew their fleets periodically, but the car provided may vary depending on availability. What is guaranteed is that the vehicle:
belongs to the selected category;
is in good condition regarding use, maintenance, and safety.
Common categories and vehicle models in other countries
In other countries, categories follow international standards and may include different models. Here are a few examples:
Mini (Italy)
Examples: Volkswagen Up, Fiat 500, Peugeot 108
Smaller vehicles, ideal for cities with narrow streets.Economy (Mexico)
Examples: Chevrolet Spark, Nissan March, Kia Rio.
Compact vehicles, ideal for urban transportation.Compact (Portugal and Italy)
Examples: Fiat 500, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio, Peugeot 208.
Small models, very common in Europe, with good efficiency and easy maneuverability.Standard / Intermediate (Chile)
Examples: Volkswagen Virtus, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris.
Offers a good balance of space, comfort and price for short and medium trips.Standard and Premium (Mexico and United States)
Examples: Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Vento, Nissan Altima.
Comfortable option for travel and daily use, with a generous trunk.SUV (United States and Mexico)
Examples: Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox.
Spacious models, good for highway driving, with a higher driving position.Full-Size / Large (United States)
Examples: Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry.
Larger vehicles, offering more interior comfort and superior performance.Minivan / 7–8 seats (United States)
Examples: Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna.
Ideal for larger families, offering ample interior space.Cargo (Chile, Mexico and United States)
Examples: Maxus G10, Ram Promaster Rapid, Ford Transit
Utility vehicles for customers who need large cargo capacity, usually seating 2 to 3 people.Luxury, Super Luxury (United States)
Examples: Chrysler 300, Mercedes-Benz S580
Vehicle classes for customers seeking comfort, superior performance or exclusive models.Exotic (United States)
Examples: Porsche 992 Cabriolet, Lamborghini Huracán
Includes vehicles that exceed traditional luxury levels, focused on extreme performance, exclusivity and cutting-edge design.
Flexibility and variation in global categories
Category names are a guide, not a rule: Category names (Economy, Standard, Full Size) serve as a starting point, but their exact meaning varies by destination and rental company.
Variation in size and value: Categories may vary between countries in both vehicle size and rental value. This depends on the available fleet, local preferences, and how each rental company organizes its categories. For this reason, the name of a category may represent different vehicles and values in each destination.
Inclusion of local categories: Some markets have exclusive categories designed to meet specific local needs, such as the presence of Cargo in Chile or the strong representation of the Exotico category in Miami.
Best practice: To ensure you choose the ideal vehicle, the best approach is to always check the specific model examples provided by the rental company for the chosen category in that destination, rather than relying solely on the category name.
What are the types of categories and examples of vehicles in Brazil?
To make understanding easier, below are some of the most common categories in Brazil and models that may belong to each of them. Remember that examples may vary according to each rental company’s available fleet.
Economy (Hatch)
Examples of possible models in this category: Fiat Mobi, Renault Kwid.
These are compact vehicles, ideal for urban routes.Compact (Hatch)
Examples: Fiat Argo, Hyundai HB20, Chevrolet Onix.
They offer more comfort and space than the economy category.Intermediate / Sedan
Examples: Toyota Yaris Sedan, Chevrolet Onix Plus, VW Virtus.
Vehicles with good trunk space and greater stability on trips.SUV
Examples: Jeep Renegade, Nissan Kicks, VW T-Cross.
Models with more interior space and a higher driving position.Minivan / 7-seater
Examples: Chevrolet Spin, Fiat Doblò (depending on fleet availability).
Ideal for families or larger groups.
How does this work in practice?
When you book a category, you are not choosing a specific model, but a set of characteristics.
For example, when choosing the Economy category, you may receive any equivalent model within that standard, such as:
Renault Kwid
Fiat Mobi
Chevrolet Spark (depending on the destination)
Or another similar hatchback, depending on the fleet.
What matters is that the vehicle provided meets the characteristics of the booked category, ensuring you receive a car consistent with what was advertised, even if the exact model may vary.