Best Car Sized Group 48 Battery Review
Before we share what, we believe is the best group 48 automotive battery, we feel it would be helpful to shine some light on what buyers find most confusing so you can confidently compare apples to apples (i.e. battery to battery).
BCI Group 48 Battery Background Information
The BCI group 48 battery is widely used by car and light truck manufacturers all over the world. But it is one of those products that has a bunch of industry jargon associated with its naming. To the average Joe this can cause confusion. To the new automotive associate, it causes confusion.
Let’s clear some of that up to help build confidence and empower you as you select your replacement battery.
Example Part Number: ODP-AGM48 H6 L3
- ODP – Refers to the battery manufacturer. In this case Odyssey Battery.
- AGM – Indicates the type of battery. In this case a sealed Absorbed Glass Matt
- 48 – The Battery Council International (BCI) group number designation to ensure standardization
- H6 – is the DIN Code or Deutsches Institut für Normung "German institute for standardization"
- L3 – Is the EN Code or European Norm
In North America most people refer to this battery only by the BCI group size. Occasionally you will hear a combination like 48 H6 car battery or size H6 48. However, in this global economy, many of the battery part numbers may include some, all, or none of the international designations!
Our Hyundai Elantra and Kia Optima Group 48 AGM Battery Surprise
1. Recently we pulled out a Hyundai Sungwoo AGM60L-DIN battery from a Hyundai Elantra. It is a group 48 with the following specs: 60Ah, 640 CCA, 100 RC
2. A few weeks later a 2014 2.4L Kia Optima needed a battery. We pulled out an AGM70L-DIN also a group 48 battery but with these specs: 70Ah, 760 CCA, 120 RC
3. Neither battery’s part number indicated the traditional 48 H6 L3 identifiers. Our fitment books indicated the car sized group 48 battery should fit. Both the dimensions and sealed nature of the batteries matched.
We replaced the AGM60L-DIN and AGM70L-DIN with the USA made Odyssey Performance Series battery part number: ODP-AGM48 H6 L3. With its 130 Reserve Capacity (RC) these are known to be tough long-lasting batteries. Perhaps the best money could buy.
Purchase High-Performance Group 48 Batteries
Translation: if your vehicle requires the larger group 49 you can select a high-performance group 48 AGM battery that may surpass your standard group 49 in crank and amp hour rating. Or perhaps you have an extra inch and half of space in your engine compartment. If so, you can install a group 48 instead of using the group 47 size battery.
Comparing Specs for Group 47, 48, 49
| CCA | 290 to 680 |
| AH | 45 to 85 |
| LxWxH mm | 242 x 175 x 190 |
| LxWxH in | 9.56 x 6.94 x 7.5 |
| CCA | 315 to 800 |
| AH | 60 to 80 |
| LxWxH mm | 278 x 175 x 190 |
| LxWxH in | 11 x 6.94 x 7.5 |
| CCA | 470 to 950 |
| AH | 85 to 100 |
| LxWxH mm | 353 x 175 x 190 |
| LxWxH in | 13.94 x 6.94 x 7.5 |
