Budget - Outrageous: Toyota Matrix shoved as an Intermediate SUV

Today at the DFW Airport Budget Location, I went to pick up my rental car (F Class Intermediate SUV - similar to Ford Escape) and was dumbfounded when the Agent said that she will be giving me a Toyota Matrix. I reminded her that I had reserved an Intermediate SUV and she said that the Toyota Matrix was indeed the same class (F). If I wanted a Ford Explorer or anything else, I will have to pay an additional 30$ per day (I am currently paying 11$ per day). I reserved this car because I have to go to the Airport tomorrow to pick up my family who is arriving from India. The matrix does not have space even as much as my Honda Accord. :mad: :mad:
I guess its much better to stick with Avis or Alamo atleast at the DFW airport location. :td: to budget.

That sucks! My guess is they saw your rate and figured they'd punish you for saving money with a legitimate rate.

It seems Budget isn't the only one trying to pass off these crossovers as SUV's. National gave me a Jeep Patriot as a Standard-Size SUV (though it was a free upgrade from a midsize so I didn't care). I have to say though, moved from Victoria, BC to Edmonton, AB in a Matrix this past August and I was surprised how much I fit into it. Mind you I was alone with all the seats folded down...so that likely won't help you.

What did you end up doing?

Well ... I was extremely lucky (The stars were in my favour I guess). I just decided to take the Matrix and was planning to borrow a friends car for the next day.
I went to open the trunk and the trunk won't open. Tried everything. This is a brand new 2009 model. I go back, but this time not to the Agent, but to the Fast Break Counter outside. The Attendant comes with me and checks out and it looks like somebody had already complained and it was supposed to be fixed by now, but apparently it isn't. She apologised and offered me another comparable car. I told her any Intermediate SUV was fine. She graciously offered me a Hyundai Santa Fe and I could not believe my luck. I was glad that I stayed calm inside initially when I was given the Matrix, as things finally worked out for me. I am not sure what type of Car a Hyundai Santa Fe is (Intermediate SUV or Standard SUV), but if this was an Intermediate SUV, then the Budget Agent had lied to me. Can somebody on this forum tell me the Car Class of an Hyundai Santa Fe?

I also got a Matrix as an Intermediate SUV. The only reason I had rented an SUV was for the bonus miles promo, so I was pleased to get a smaller car with better cas mileage. I do agree that had I actually needed an SUV, the Martix would not be sufficient.

During this current Delta promo for 7,500 miles for SUV rentals I've had one Santa Fe and it shows up as class F on the reciept.

Also have had a Tuscon that was also an F class vehicle.

Pontiac Torrent is a W.
Dodge Nitro is a W.

Toyota is a client of mine currently and they do NOT consider the Matrix a "crossover" vehicle. It is a CAR and is only ever referenced as a CAR in any Toyota materials.

The only true crossover vehicle for Toyota will be the VENZA which is being released later this year. For an SUV, your only choices are the RAV4, the 4Runner, the Highlander and the Land Cruiser.

Budget is incorrectly classifying this vehicle.

So I guess that the Vibe and the Mazda3 are in the same category?

All these CARS are 5 door hatchbacks. not crossovers, not suvs.

Glad I stay far gar away from budget...

Forgive me for calling the Matrix a crossover. What I meant was I've been seeing rental companies taking these 5-door hatchbacks/wagons that could potentially have AWD and calling them small SUV's. You're absolutely right, it's a complete stretch of the imagination.

An intermediate SUV should be an Escape, Equinox, Liberty, CR-V, RAV4, or something of that like, and nothing else.

Earlier this year, Nat'l fobbed a FWB Dodge Caliber as a small/intermediate SUV (which I assumed should/would be AWD).

Earlier this year, Nat'l fobbed a FWB Dodge Caliber as a small/intermediate SUV (which I assumed should/would be AWD).

Now THAT'S a stretch. Almost as bad as the Kia Rondo I saw in Calgary's Emerald Reserve as a minivan....

Toyota is a client of mine currently and they do NOT consider the Matrix a "crossover" vehicle. It is a CAR and is only ever referenced as a CAR in any Toyota materials.

The only true crossover vehicle for Toyota will be the VENZA which is being released later this year. For an SUV, your only choices are the RAV4, the 4Runner, the Highlander and the Land Cruiser.

Budget is incorrectly classifying this vehicle.


Budget can classify the vehicle any way they fit. Rental companies very rarely follow the manufactures classifications. We as renters can spend our rental dollars at any rental company that we see fit and if the Matrix is not our idea of a small SUV than I would suggest that Avis and Budget be avoided. Avis has had smalled vehicles in this class in the past so it is not just Budget.

Budget can classify the vehicle any way they fit.

Budget gave me a Kia Rio as a "compact" (third car class above subcompact and economy) last Christmas. I'm 6'2" and successfully disputed the charge with the statement "ask Budget to tell you which two cars on their lot are smaller".

Budget can classify the vehicle any way they fit. Rental companies very rarely follow the manufactures classifications. We as renters can spend our rental dollars at any rental company that we see fit and if the Matrix is not our idea of a small SUV than I would suggest that Avis and Budget be avoided. Avis has had smalled vehicles in this class in the past so it is not just Budget.

The problem is we don't know which rental car companies "misclassify" their fleet until we run into the problem, which will be too late by then. Plus, when a car rental company advertises "Ford Escape or similar", one would expect something really similar to a Ford Escape in terms of size. Now, how similar is a Toyota Matrix to a Ford Escape??

LAX