Clark and Norell also claimed that there is no evidence to suggest that the two genera form a true clade distinct from other eusuchians, because remains associated with Heterosuchus are to fragmentary to show any clear phylogenetic relationship.

[4] In this 2011 study, Buscalioni et al. cladistically defined Hylaeochampsidae as a node-based clade of the last common ancestor of Hylaeochampsa vectiana, Iharkutosuchus makadii, Pachycheilosuchus trinquei and Pietraroiasuchus ormezzanoi and all of its descendants.

[4][5] The cladogram below results from the 2011 Buscalioni et al. study:[4] Hylaeochampsa vectiana† Iharkutosuchus† Pietraroiasuchus ormezzanoi† Pachycheilosuchus trinquei† Allodaposuchus† Crocodylia The family existed during the Cretaceous period in what is now Europe and the Middle East.

Hylaeochampsa and its possible synonym Heterosuchus have both been found from the Vectis Formation of the Isle of Wight in England, dating back to the Barremian stage of the Early Cretaceous.

All hylaeochampsids had highly brevirostrine snouts and exhibited heterodonty, with large teeth concentrated posteriorly that were most likely adapted to crushing.