A 94R battery is a BCI Group 94R starting battery with reverse polarity — the positive terminal sits on the right when you face it.
Walk into any parts store and the same 12-volt battery can be filed under three labels: 94R, H7, and LN4. The first is the Battery Council International (BCI) group label used across North America; H7 and LN4 are European-style equivalents that catalogs tag on. The R stands for reverse, placing the positive terminal on the right when you face the battery.
That orientation detail is easy to overlook, and it matters. Cables built for a standard-post battery won’t simply reach if the posts sit on the opposite side. Before checkout, three things count more than the sticker: case dimensions, terminal position, and the electrical spec your vehicle expects. This guide covers all three.
What the “94R” Label Actually Means
The 94 is a group-size code, not a chemistry or a brand. It defines the battery’s footprint and terminal layout, and the R adds the polarity detail. Both come from the same industry standard. Group-size codes are maintained in Battery Council International’s group size standards, which assign each code an exact case length, width, and height so one number can fit millions of vehicles.
The 94R family sits on the larger end of the starting-battery chart. Typical 94R/H7 cases measure about 12.4 by 6.9 by 7.5 inches (315 by 175 by 190 mm), so they need real clearance under hood struts and trim. Expect several spellings at the same retailer: 94R is the BCI label, H7 is the DIN-style label used in Europe, and LN4 appears in other European catalogs, so listings often combine them as 94R/H7 or H7/LN4/94R. All describe the same physical battery family.
94R Battery Specs: Range, Chemistry, and Price
All 94R batteries are 12-volt units. The numbers that separate one from another are cold cranking amps (CCA), reserve capacity, amp-hours, and internal chemistry. Typical 94R/H7 listings today fall in these ranges.
| Spec | Typical 94R Range | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 12 V | Matches standard automotive electrical systems |
| Case size | About 12.4 × 6.9 × 7.5 in (315 × 175 × 190 mm) | Must clear the tray and surrounding parts |
| Terminal polarity | R — positive post on the right | Cables must reach the correct posts |
| Cold cranking amps | Roughly 730–850 CCA | Starting power in cold weather |
| Reserve capacity | About 120–158 minutes | Runtime for accessories with the engine off |
| Capacity | Roughly 70–80 Ah | Total energy stored |
| Chemistry | AGM or flooded lead-acid | Drives price, lifespan, and charging needs |
Real products show the spread. ACDelco’s Gold 88865934, sold through GM parts channels, is a BCI Group 94R with 800 CCA and 1,000 cranking amps in a 12.3 × 6.8 × 7.4-inch case; its MSRP is $236.39 with an $18.00 refundable core charge and a 42-month warranty. Interstate’s MTX-94R/H7 carries a suggested retail price of $279.95. Warranties in this size commonly offer three years or 36 months of free replacement.
Chemistry is where the group label misleads people. The same 94R group ships as flooded lead-acid from some brands and as absorbent glass mat (AGM) from others. AGM resists vibration, recharges faster, and costs more; flooded batteries cost less up front. If your car left the factory with AGM — common on modern stop-start European models — match it with AGM.
How Do You Know a 94R Battery Fits Your Car?
A 94R battery fits your car only when the case dimensions, terminal position, and hold-down style match the battery tray. The group-size label alone is not a guarantee.
- Check the label on the old battery or the owner’s manual for the exact group required — often printed as 94R, H7, or a combined code.
- Compare length, width, and height, terminal posts included, against the space in the tray.
- Confirm the positive terminal is on the right when you face the battery, and that the cables reach without stretching or crossing.
- Match the hold-down style — top strap or bottom ledge — so the battery can’t shift while driving.
Two errors cause most returns. One is treating H7 and 94R as automatically identical without checking dimensions and terminal side. The other is confusing group size with chemistry or brand — a 94R is not inherently AGM or flooded; the manufacturer decides. If polarity is wrong and cables are force-fitted, vehicle electronics can be damaged, so confirm the orientation twice before clamping.
With the group and polarity confirmed, compare actual models before paying. Our tested roundup of the best 94R batteries ranks current AGM and flooded options by cold-cranking performance, warranty, and street price.
FAQs
Is a 94R the same as an H7 battery?
Yes in practice. 94R is the BCI group label used in North America; H7 is the DIN-style label used in Europe for the same-size case, and retailers commonly combine them as 94R/H7. Since fit depends on more than the code, still compare dimensions, terminal position, and hold-down style on the exact model you plan to buy.
What is the difference between AGM and flooded 94R batteries?
Flooded lead-acid batteries use liquid electrolyte and cost less; AGM batteries use glass-mat separators soaked in electrolyte, so they handle vibration better, recharge faster, and cost more. Both are sold in group 94R. The right choice depends on the vehicle — many European cars with stop-start systems require AGM.
Which cars use a 94R battery?
94R batteries fit a broad mix of sedans, SUVs, trucks, and European imports. Product listings for 94R/H7 models explicitly cover BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen applications, and the group also suits many GM vehicles — GM sells its own ACDelco Group 94R under part number 88865934. The owner’s manual remains the definitive fit source.
References & Sources
- Battery Council International. “BCI Group Sizes.” Defines how BCI group numbers standardize battery fit and terminal layout.
- GM Parts / ACDelco. “ACDelco Gold 42-Month Warranty BCI Group 94R Battery.” Current Group 94R specs, price, and core charge.
- Interstate Batteries. “MTX-94R/H7.” Current 94R/H7 pricing and product details.