These Are The Best Cars For Rideshare Drivers
Before becoming a rideshare driver for a brand like Lyft or Uber, there are a lot of auto questions that you need to answer. Not only is it important to know which car is the best for you and your potential customers, but you also need to know why that is. Which cars get the best gas mileage, helping you increase your overall earnings? What requirements does your vehicle need to meet in order to make you eligible to be a driver? These are the best cars for rideshare drivers, along with all the reasons they're ideal for the job!
There's A List Of Requirements
Before you can become a driver for Uber or Lyft, there are a number of requirements for both yourself and your vehicle. The list may seem long, but shouldn't feel overwhelming at all as long as you are confident.
In no particular order, the list goes: at least five seat belts, model year no less than 15-years-old, no rental vehicles, a four-door vehicle with room for four people minimum, a vehicle registered in-state, an insurance policy with driver's name on it, and your title can be from a salvaged vehicle.
Fuel Economy Will Help You Earn More
The better miles per gallon your vehicle gets, the more money you will earn in the long run as a rideshare driver. The idea here is simple. The less you need to fill up for gas, the more money stays in your pocket.
Remember, filling up your tank is an out-of-pocket expense. According to one government study, a car that gets 30 MPG will save a normal driver $550 dollars a year. That's money you can save or spend at your leisure!
Remember -- Safety First
Before choosing the best vehicle to buy to start your rideshare career, you need to remember that safety always comes first. If you work in your car five days a week, eight hours a day, you need to make sure that it is loaded with the best safety features.
Some of the most important features to consider include forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warning. Cars with high NHTSA ratings are always safe bets, as well.
The Toyota Prius Two Hatchback Has The Best-In-Class Fuel Efficiency
If fuel efficiency is the most important aspect of a car for you, then look no further than the Toyota Prius Two Hatchback. The popular vehicle is rated best-in-class for fuel efficiency and averages 54 miles per gallon.
Because it's a hybrid, the Prius Two Hatchback is designed to save you money, making it a perfect rideshare vehicle option. A 2021 model has a starting price of around $24,000, making it an affordable investment, too!
The Toyota Camry Has Plenty Of Room For Passengers
If legroom is what your passengers are looking for, then the Toyota Camry is the perfect vehicle. It has roomy back seats perfect for people of all heights and sizes. Of course, the Camry doesn't sacrifice performance for size.
The Camry is noted for being reliable, with excellent performance ratings, fuel economy ratings, and safety ratings. Two safety features that come standard are automatic emergency braking and forward-collision warning.
The Ford Fusion Is Affordable And Reliable
Anyone on a budget who's in the market for a new car knows how important reliability and quality are. The Ford Fusion is one of the cheaper makes on the market while rivaling its more expensive competitors.
This is the perfect vehicle anyone looking to start with Uber or Lyft and don't have a big budget to buy a car. The Fusion also comes as a hybrid if you're looking to save money on gas, too.
The Chevy Malibu Will Impress Even The Pickiest Passengers
Looking at a Chevy Malibu, you would never guess it costs $22,000. These vehicles are stylish, spacious, and fuel-efficient. Even the pickiest passengers will smile when they see their destination vehicle pull up.
Consumers voted the Malibu as one of the best mid-sized cars for families, which means a few important things. First, the Malibu has plenty of room, which is great news for larger passengers. Second, the Malibu is packed with safety features.
The Honda CR-V Is Perfect For Cold Weather Drivers
If you drive for Lyft or Uber in states where cold weather conditions factor into your vehicle purchase, then the Honda CR-V is one of the best options to consider. The CR-V is a crossover SUV that comes with all-wheel-drive.
All-wheel-drive means that whether you face rain, snow, wind, or sleet, you and your passengers can rest assured knowing your tires won't lose their grip. The Honda CR-V has a starting price of $25,000.
The Honda Odyssey Is Great For Large Groups
Anyone who has ever ordered a Lyft or Uber knows that sometimes you have too many people to fit in one car. As a driver, this can be frustrating too because it could mean you get your ride canceled.
The Honda Odyssey has enough room for up to eight passengers, meaning if you don't mind driving larger groups of people around, this minivan provides the best bang for the buck.
The Lexus ES Is Perfect For High-End Passengers
As Uber and Lyft blew up in popularity, customers began to demand higher-end ride options. While these rides tend to cost more money, they assure passengers will get picked up in luxury vehicles.
If you want to hit this extra earning threshold, the Lexus ES is a great vehicle to start with. Before you make the purchase, though, make sure premium services are offered in your area, otherwise, you'll be minimizing your earnings.
The Hyundai Sonata Is A Great Economy Option
Another great option for the driver on a tighter budget is the Hyundai Sonata. Available as a hybrid or full gas vehicle, the Sonata starts at $21,000 and get a highway estimated 40 miles per gallon.
Making the Sonata even more attractive, the NHTSA gave it a five-star rating. Hyundai designed the interior to look more upscale than other cars in the same class, giving it a luxurious edge over its competitors, too.
The Subaru Impreza Comes With All-Wheel-Drive
Like the CR-V, the Subaru Impreza is another great option for drivers who plan to work during the winter. It comes with all-wheel-drive and is made by the always reliable Subaru brand.
U.S. News gave the 2020 Impreza high marks for its interior and legroom. And while the MPG isn't as strong as other cars on this list (36 highway rated), it does come standard with more safety features than other similar vehicles.
The Volkswagen Jetta Is Roomy And Fuel Efficient
The Volkswagon Jetta might not be the sportiest car of all-time, but it is perfect for ride-sharing. Noted for a strong fuel economy and spacious interior, passengers won't mind that you can't speed to their destination.
That doesn't mean the Jetta is a slouch, though. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine can get up to 147 horsepower. More importantly, the Jetta comes with the option to add a wi-fi hotspot, giving your passengers a great way to enjoy their ride.
The Honda Accord Is An Ideal Airport Ride
As an Uber or Lyft driver, there's a good chance you will be commuting people to and from the local airport. Because of wait lines at busier airports, you'll want a vehicle that is both comfortable for you and your passengers.
The Honda Accord is the perfect combination of comfort and class. It comes standard with several high tech features and has plenty of legroom in the back seat. As for cargo space, well, you'd be surprised how many suitcases you can fit in the trunk!
The Honda Insight Is One Of The Safest Cars On The Road
Not only is the Honda Insight one of the most fuel-efficient cars for rideshare drivers, but it is also one of the safest. As a hybrid, the Insight averages nearly 60 miles per gallon on the freeway and comes standard with Honda's extensive Sensing Safety suite.
The suite includes forward collision warning, lane keep assist, collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. The only downside for taller passengers, who have noted a lack of headroom in the backseat.
The Mazda6 Is A Luxurious Ride On A Budget
A luxury car for the person on a budget, the Mazda6 is a great vehicle for rideshare drivers looking to offer a premium experience to passengers at a fraction of the price. The Mazda6 received high marks from U.S. News, which noted the power and performance as major reasons why.
The Mazda6 also comes with a surprisingly high-end interior for the price point, while getting a class-friendly 35 miles per gallon on the freeway.
The Honda Civic Is One Of The Most Popular Rideshare Options
The Honda Civic isn't just one of the best selling consumer cars in the United States, it's also one of the most popular Uber and Lyft cars. The Civic is small, making it a great commuter vehicle, especially for trips to and from the airport.
With 42 miles per gallon the freeway, the Civic also will keep your wallet happy. If you want extra room for cargo, you can upgrade to a hatchback as well.
The Ford Explorer Fits Passengers Of All Sizes
The Ford Explorer, at first thought, might not seem like the best vehicle for Uber and Lyft driver. The large SUV is expensive and doesn't get great mileage per gallon of gasoline. There's another selling point to the Explorer, though.
The larger than life Ford SUV can fit even the tallest passengers and is loaded with room for extra cargo. It might not always be the most practical rideshare vehicle, but it does fit a niche demographic that will keep you on the road all day.
The Cadillac CTS Is As High Tech As They Come
Another great premium option is the Cadillac CTS. If you drive for UberSELECT, this car is sure to leave your passengers more than satisfied. Stuffed full of high tech features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it's impossible to have a bad time in this luxury car.
The Cadillac CTS is also safe, receiving a five-star rating for the NHTSA. And with how much you'll be making per ride, you won't mind the less than ideal 30 miles per gallon freeway rated MPG.
The Acura MDX Is Versatile And Affordable
As far as luxury cars go, the Acura MDX's starting price of $43,000 makes it affordable for its class. At that price point, you can even use it as both a regular and premium rideshare vehicle, although we recommend premium.
The MDX is packed to the brim with power, pickup, cargo space, and high tech features. With three rows of seating, you can also fit groups of almost any size on any adventure they're looking to be taken to!
