What is the Best Car for Uber Drivers?

What You’ll Learn

As you read about the best cars for uber and lift, you’ll learn:

• Unless you plan on buying a car specifically to drive for ridesharing, you should also get something that matches the rest of your lifestyle.
• Uber and Lyft both have their own requirements in terms of which types of vehicles they allow.
• There are a number of factors that go into making a vehicle great for ridesharing, and we’ll take a look at some of the best Chevy cars on the market.

Finding the Best Cars for Lyft and Uber

Thinking of getting into the ridesharing industry to earn some extra cash, or even as your primary job? There’s definitely some money to be made by driving for Uber or Lyft, especially if you know how to get great ratings and leave your passengers satisfied. One of the most important things is having a clean, comfortable, enjoyable car for the rides. Choosing the right car can also help you control your own spending, since there are definitely some costs associated with driving for Uber.

With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when you pick a great car for Uber:

• Get a car with good legroom and comfortable seats. A quick search on the internet will tell you that the average length of an Uber ride is only seven miles. Still, it’s important to make your passengers comfortable for any length of time, and some rides will end up being much longer.
• Choose a vehicle with a great sound system or other impressive features. Sometimes the little touches can go a long way toward improving the experience for your passengers. On the fence about choosing a sunroof or leather seats? Go for it!
• Get a great infotainment system. Modern vehicles all have infotainment systems, but some are better than others. If you choose a car from a brand known for having nice technology, you’ll get features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and navigation at your disposal.
• Select a vehicle with great fuel economy. This is a good idea because it will help you reduce your carbon footprint, especially with all of the driving you do. Some ride-sharing apps will even allow you to charge at a higher rate if your vehicle meets certain standards for efficiency. Of course, you’ll also spend less on gas, which means you keep more of the money you make.

In addition to all of the above, it’s important to make sure you choose a vehicle that meets the requirements for Lyft and Uber. For example, the Chevy Spark is an awesome vehicle, but it might not be allowed for ridesharing services because it only has four seats. To make sure you avoid situations like that, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the vehicle requirements for different ridesharing applications. To get you started, here’s what you need to know for Uber and Lyft.

Uber Car Requirements

The requirements listed by Uber, as of August of 2021, are as follows:

• The vehicle must have four doors and be able to transport a minimum of four passengers (in addition to the driver, so the vehicle must have five seats total).
• The vehicle must be no older than 15 years old.
• The vehicle cannot have a salvage title, be reconstructed, or be rebuilt.
• The vehicle may not be a rental vehicle unless Uber has approved it.
• If you drive a vehicle you do not own, you must be listed as an insured driver on the insurance driver.
• The vehicle may not have any cosmetic damage, missing pieces, taxi paint jobs, or commercial branding.

If your vehicle does not meet these requirements, you may still be able to make Uber deliveries (which is great news for owners of the Chevy Spark and similar vehicles).

Lyft Car Requirements

Lyft’s requirements actually vary some, depending on the city and state in which you live. The following requirements are for the city of Phoenix, but you may have to do your own research if you’re reading this article from somewhere else. A Maricopa County resident who wishes to drive for Lyft needs to have a vehicle that meets all of the following requirements:

• The vehicle must have four doors.
• The vehicle must have at least five seats and no more than eight, including the driver’s.
• Taxis and stretch limousines are not allowed.
• The vehicle cannot be titled as salvaged, rebuilt, non-repairable, or anything similar.

If your vehicle qualifies for Lyft Lux or Lyft Lux Black by meeting higher standards, you may be able to earn more for each ride.

Top 5 Best Uber Cars

Now that you know what makes the best cars for Lyft and Uber, it’s time to dive into some specific examples. All of the following five are among our favorites.

1. 2021 Chevy Malibu
   

   In many ways, the Malibu is the best of all possible worlds. It’s sophisticated yet sporty. It’s a nimble midsize sedan, but the inside feels much more spacious. You’ll love driving this vehicle, and your passengers will be very comfortable.
   
   

2. 2021 Chevy Equinox
   

   The Equinox offers five seats (one driver and four passengers), with plenty of space for them all. It also offers 63.9 cubic feet of max cargo room, so you’ll have plenty of space for luggage if you want to make those lucrative runs from the airport here in Phoenix.
   
   

3. 2021 Chevy Trailblazer
   

   The 2021 Trailblazer is a small SUV, but it still offers a surprisingly good deal of room on the inside. It’s small and nimble enough to make navigating downtown Phoenix easy but still spacious enough for your passengers. With its best-in-class 29.4 inches of rear-seat legroom, this vehicle is more comfortable for your rear passengers than any other small SUV out there. It’s also a phenomenal deal, being one of the best SUVs under $20,000.
   
   

4. 2021 Chevy Traverse
   

   The Traverse is a highly underrated vehicle for Lyft or other similar programs. It has seating for up to eight, which means it qualifies for Uber XL and allows you to fit more passengers than most other vehicles. It’s also considerably more affordable than other elite people movers like the Tahoe or Expedition. This vehicle is awesome for driving passengers around with best-in-class cargo space and a respectable 27 MPG highway. With a starting price under $30,000, this is the best deal you’re likely to find on such an impressive large SUV.
   
   

5. 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV
   

   The Bolt EUV has seating for five, including over 39 inches of rear-seat legroom for maximum comfort. It’s also an electric vehicle, so you won’t use a single drop of gas while you give your rides. With an EPA-estimated 247 miles of all-electric range on a full charge, you’ll be able to do plenty of driving before you have to stop for a break.

Test Drive a New Chevy in Phoenix

Now that you know a few of your options, it’s time to check these vehicles out for yourself. If you want to get feedback about the passenger experience, you can even bring a friend along for your test drive.
Stop by your nearest Valley Chevy dealership today to get started!

Joe has been closely associated with the automotive industry for the past 10 years. He worked closely with dealerships at his previous job with the Charlotte Observer, who had a partnership with Cars.com. At his current role, he is actively involved in promoting the Chevy brand in the Phoenix-Metro area along with Valley Chevy.