Carvalho et al. (2005:24) defined Baurusuchidae on the basis of two genera, Baurusuchus and Stratiotosuchus, the latter based on a partial skull that has yet to be described. There is no phylogenetic analysis of baurusuchids, and so it is unclear which taxa they discuss will be included by their definition. It is entirely possible that some would be excluded.

The definition given here is a second-order revision of their node-based definition, which clearly includes any of the several taxa now known that are more closely related to Baurusuchus pachecoi than to several other crocodyliform taxa (e.g., Iberosuchus macrodon, Pabwehshi pakistanensis). Sebecus icaeorhinus and kin are excluded. This better represents the common use of Baurusuchidae in the literature, including that in Steel (1973) and Carvalho et al. (2005).

They also coined and defined Baurusuchoidea to encompass Sebecidae (Price 1945). Whether Baurusuchoidea in this sense is monophyletic is a mjaor question. If it is monophyletic, the Baurusuchoidea would constitute a junior synonym of Sebecoidea (Simpson 1937) or Sebecosuchia Simpson 1937.