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The best car for Uber drivers is something that literally hundreds of thousands of people wonder about in the US. Uber has become increasingly popular since its start-up, accounting for around 70% of the ride-hailing industry in the United States. To drive cars with Uber, you must meet several requirements. These can be difficult to find on their website, but some examples of these requirements are:
• You must be at least 21 years old.
• You must have held your driver’s license for at least 1 year, or 3 years if you are under 23 years old.
• You must pass a background check.
• You must have a valid vehicle that has passed all the statutory requirements and is insured and taxed properly.
What vehicles are applicable for this category can vary from state to state, but as a bare minimum your model should be newer than 10 years old and have at least 4 doors and 4 seatbelts. Many places allow cars that are up to 15 years old too.
We have compiled a list of 10 of the best cars for an Uber or Lyft driver. To do this, we have used the Uber cars requirements, as previously mentioned, of being newer than 10 years old and having 4 doors and 4 seatbelts, which should mean that, wherever you are in the US, these car models should all be an option for you.
View The Best Car For Uber Drivers Below
1. 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry hybrid is a great combination of reliability, luxury, and fuel economy – perhaps the three most important things for you to consider as an Uber driver. Many people who currently drive cars for Uber use this one, and it is certainly not something passengers would ever be surprised to be picked up in by an Uber driver.
The Camry Hybrid is slightly more expensive as an upfront cost than the standard car model, but offers better fuel economy, meaning that you are likely to save the difference in fuel costs over a couple of years. Averaging 53 miles per gallon in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, the Camry Hybrid is only slightly behind the Toyota Prius. Compared to the Prius, the Camry actually has more rear legroom. Although it produces a very impressive level of fuel economy, the Camry can also accelerate decently when you need it to.
All round, in scientific terms: it’s pretty good. If you are driving your car for Uber or Lyft, it’s probably the best all-rounder, making passengers feel comfortable and saving you money.
2. 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The Chevrolet Malibu was redesigned in 2016 and ended up with a longer wheelbase than its previous models. This allows passengers to sit in the back with that extra bit of legroom: perfect if you are using this car for Uber and Lyft driving.
Although it only kicks out 124 bhp, the Malibu Hybrid can run on batteries alone up to 55 mph. It has many technologically impressive aspects, such as an energy recovery system, which takes heat from the exhaust and converts it back into charge for the batteries to use. In the city, the car can run at up to 49 miles per gallon, or 43 on the highway.
With excellent mileage and spacious seats, you can be sure that the Malibu is worth considering. It’s worth mentioning, however, that it is not considered to be as reliable as some of its counterparts, and therefore you may end up spending more than average amounts on repairs. The trunk is also rather small.
Despite these drawbacks, the Malibu gets the job done, and is particularly kind to the environment. If that is important to you, it’s worth looking at this model more closely.
3. 2017 Toyota Prius
Ah, the classic Toyota Prius – love it or loathe it, it’s impossible to deny the usefulness of this car when you’re out and about. The Prius has been around for a long time now and has caused divided opinions everywhere it’s been – for an Uber or Lyft driver though, or for passengers of said drivers, there are few faults to be found.
The ride is comfortable, the steering sharp, and the fuel economy industry-leading. Although the Prius has only 121 bhp, you will find it to be enjoyable and responsive, as well as featuring that traditional reliability from Toyota.
The fuel economy alone is reason enough to purchase this model, with it being more than capable of achieving well over 50 mpg. At its best, you will be looking closer to 60 mpg. On top of all this, the Prius is very affordable and comes with a very nice, spacious interior, meaning that passengers can stretch out as they ride with you.
4. 2019 Kia Soul
This is a bit of a different idea. The Kia Soul is a quirky little car, offering one of the best alternatives to a sedan. It has bold, brash looks and colors, with a choice of three different available engines, depending on your driving style.
New models of this car can be customized to a large extent, meaning Uber and Lyft drivers can make it look however they want. You can get up to 31 miles per gallon when driving on the highway (and up to 26 mpg in the city) too, which isn’t too bad for its class.
Although you won’t get the same economy as many of the hybrid cars on this list, there aren’t many cars that can make the same initial impression with their looks. And, although it won’t accelerate like a rocket, Kia makes up for this with a large quantity of driver-assisting technologies, a large area for cargo, and the famous, world-envied multiple-year warranty.
This long warranty, which covers many parts of the car, is one of the best – but you are unlikely to need it, as this model is known for being very reliable. Either way, you’ll be spending less on repairs than most other vehicles, making it perfect for Uber and Lyft drivers.
5. 2019 Lexus ES
Why not? The Lexus ES isn’t your average Uber car, and while it is understandably expensive, you might give yourself a competitive advantage with how much you would stand out from the crowd. What Uber or Lyft passenger wouldn’t want a ride in this car if given the option?
The ES is often slated for its difficult-to-use infotainment system, but that’s about all the drawbacks it has. The ride is smooth and comfortable, and Lexus has done a great job of deadening sounds, making the cabin very quiet.
The cabin is roomy, as is the trunk, and the car has scored very highly in safety tests and crash tests. The engine sends 302 bhp to the front wheels, which results in a maximum of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway. While this isn’t the best, it’s not bad either.
Overall, the Lexus is about first impressions. The engine is powerful and responsive, making it great for cruising down the highways cocooned in luxury. All Uber and Lyft drivers should consider this car.
6. 2019 Hyundai Ioniq
One of the best hybrids you can get your hands on, the Hyundai Ioniq offers almost unrivaled fuel economy, with up to 57 miles per gallon in the city and between 54 mpg and 59 mpg on the highway. These are the best and highest economic values on our list.
This incredible economy cancels out the fact that you only have a choice of quite low-powered engines, the most powerful of which only throws 139 horses at the wheels. The car is also well spoken of for having a large amount of cargo space and a brilliant infotainment system, scoring very highly on safety tests too.
The only reported drawback to this model is its somewhat floaty ride quality. But if that won’t bother you as an Uber and Lyft driver, then consider it.
7. 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid
The hybrid version of the Honda Accord takes what is already a great, spacious car, and improves the fuel economy even further. Although it is slightly pricier than the non-hybrid version, drivers can expect to save enough in fuel costs over about 75,000 miles to cover this extra expense.
The 212 bhp sent to the front wheels is decent for its class, although drivers have reported that performance is somewhat lacking in the higher end. With a maximum fuel economy of 47 or 48 miles per gallon, it comes with a luxurious interior and a large trunk, so passengers with a lot of luggage can call your car when they need it.
8. 2017 Honda Civic
In the USA, the Honda relaunched its Honda Civic in 2017, with great reviews from pretty much everyone. Honda has certainly focussed on the feeling of ride comfort and maximized this in its new model.
You can find both sedan and hatchback on the market, ranging from 158 to 306 bhp on the performance models. The steering is precise, and the suspension very comfortable. You can get up to 32 miles per gallon in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, meaning it has a good fuel economy compared to its competitors. Importantly, very little road noise can be heard from the cabin, creating an atmosphere of peace and relaxation.
Okay, perhaps that’s a little too far, but it is really nice. If you’re driving for Uber, the Civic is an excellent choice for combining comfort and affordability.
9. 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Fusion Hybrid is affordable for an Uber or Lyft car, but make no mistake – it’s packed with the latest technology and features for all drivers’ needs.
It has a spacious interior and comfortable ride, making it great for what you might need it for, and very competitive in terms of price. The Fusion Hybrid has very low projected costs to the owner and can produce over 40 miles per gallon, keeping the bank account numbers a bit bigger. Although it somewhat lacks in the performance department, with only 188 bhp, this is unlikely to make much difference to Uber drivers. This could be the one for you.
10. 2017 Audi A4
The Audi A4 is there to impress bother drivers and passengers, make no mistake about it – it’s a luxury item on this list. You will struggle to find many other cars to use for picking up businesspeople and other important passengers. Although it is one of the pricier options that we have selected, turning up in this car helps both you and them to make a great first impression.
The model is available with either All Wheel Drive or Front Wheel Drive, kicking out somewhere between 190 and 252 bhp. You can expect up to 27 miles per gallon in city driving and up to 37 if you spend a lot of time on the highway – figures that are more than respectable for a car of this caliber. The A4 is known for having a lot of leg and headroom in the back. It, therefore, has the space to accommodate even the tallest of passengers.
Overall, the A4 is a wonderful blend of performance and comfort.
A Brief List of Things To Consider
When thinking about what could be the best car to get for joining the ranks of Uber drivers, you should consider the following:
1. Where is your target passenger from? – This is the main thing to think about, from which all other decisions will flow. Do you live in an area where you’re likely to be constantly ferrying people up and down highways? Or in and out of busy lanes in town? Hybrids are great for high mileage in the city in particular, but in general, they tend to lack the power you get from straight gasoline or diesel engines and electric motors. All drivers should consider this.
2. Who is your target passenger? – Are you aiming to use Uber to transfer business people between meetings? Parents on the school run? Friday night partiers? Anyone you can? In our opinion, the best way to approach this is to put yourself in the mind of your target passenger, thinking about what they would be looking for from the Uber car that you give them a ride in.
3. How economical is it? – It’s obvious to say, but fuel economy is (usually) more important to Uber or Lyft drivers than performance. The reason for this is you will be paid the same amount from the passenger per trip whatever car you are in, but how much you pay out on fuel will depend on the vehicle and its mileage. The best hybrids can approach 60 mpg, with the best non-hybrid models averaging around 20 – 40 mpg. You could even opt for an electric model, which would be by far the best for “running cost per mile.”
4. How good for the environment is it? – It’s important to protect our planet’s atmosphere, no matter what job we do.
5. Is it safe? – Consider how safe the model is for both you and your potential back seat passengers. The vast majority of modern cars will pass all safety tests with flying colors due to modern-day advancements in technology. Every model above could be the one for you.
6. How smooth is the ride? – A passenger always wants a smooth ride, no matter who they are. When test driving a vehicle, you should think about what the suspension, steering, and the transmission feel like in particular, and how that might influence a passenger’s view of you.
7. How does the car look? – While it’s not the most important thing to think about, a good-looking model will create a good first impression, and potentially have a higher potential to earn you both new and returning passengers.
8. How powerful is the car? – Finally, more horsepower is always good if you can get it, particularly if you are doing a lot of highway driving. The reality is, though, that as an Uber driver, you are unlikely ever to require extortionate amounts of power in your car anyway.
These are all listed in order. The best cars for ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft, will vary from person to person, but we hope the shortlist above will help you with your decision.
We wish you all the best when you are driving your car for Uber.
