Ridesharing is a fairly new alternative to public transportation, which is popular among smartphone users. Passengers just need to use an app in their smartphones to see a location of a rideshare driver in real time. Here are the best-used cars if you use rideshare.
Rideshare drivers have flexibility in setting their own schedules and have the ability to choose the assignments they want. They usually do not have a required minimum number of work hours.
Because of the growing demand and the flexibility the job offers, many drivers choose to join the growing ranks of rideshare drivers. If you are thinking about being one, owning the right vehicle can make a great difference between putting more income in your bank account each month or not. Purchasing a new car is probably not the best option for most drivers. The high price of a brand new car means an increase in your monthly bills and payments. Insurance premiums will also be more expensive. That’s why for most rideshare drivers, the most practical idea is buying a good value and reliable used car for your business.
In this article, we will go through a list of best used cars if you rideshare.
Uber and Lyft
Uber and Lyft are ridesharing apps that work in mostly the same way. You have to download the app, open it, and type in the address that you want to go to. Then, you will need to select the type of ride you want, whether it is single, shared, or luxury. The app will then show you the cost of the journey and will ask you to confirm. Once you have done these steps, you will be able to see where your driver is and the approximate time they are going to arrive.
Although Uber and Lyft have a lot of similarities, they also differ in some ways including subscription options, pricing, safety measures, and rewards.
Uber was launched in 2009, and was the first ride hailing app in the market. Because of its popularity, the term “getting an Uber” became very much used among people. Uber has around 3.9 million drivers across 63 countries and has over 91 million active riders per month.
On the other hand, Lyft is the second biggest ride hailing service. It was founded in 2012 and has gained popularity after Uber faced scandals and investigations regarding unprofessional business practices of some of its drivers. Just like Uber, Lyft is available for Android and iOS users. However, Lyft is only available in the US and in Canada; unlike Uber which spans across 63 countries.
Best Used Cars if You Drive Uber or Lyft
Choosing the perfect car is one of the most important decisions Uber and Lyft drivers should make. There are many factors to be considered to find the right car for ridesharing services. These factors include comfortable interior, good fuel economy, spacious legroom, and or course affordable price. Satisfying these factors does not only mean making a good profit out of your business but also providing your passengers a five-star experience.
It is essential to find a vehicle with the best value for the price. For Uber and Lyft drivers, buying a brand new car is perhaps not the best choice because of the high cost. It is better to find a great quality and reliable used car that meets all the important factors in driving Uber or Lyft.
Uber has published an approved vehicle list for its drivers along with different vehicle requirements. The list is different in every place or city, so it is important to check whether your chosen car is on the list if you want to do business with Uber.
Great fuel economy is also a must for Uber and Lyft drivers. According to statistics, rideshare drivers can easily put 1,000 miles a week on their cars. For this kind of heavy driving, what you need to be looking for in a car are fuel efficiency, reliability, and safety.
Here is a list of some of the best used cars you can use if you rideshare or drive Uber or Lyft.
2018 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry 2018 model has gone through a complete redesign to boost its performance and its overall comfort and reliability. It has a sporty exterior, with a mid-size stature which makes it appealing to most ridesharing drivers. It is also reasonably priced. A used Toyota Camry 2018 costs around $23,000. It comes with the standard security features and driver assistance available to Toyota cars.
It is recommended for ridesharing because of its reliability, wide rear seat legroom, and advanced driver assistance technology.
Honda Civic 2015
This affordable, mid-sized car is one of the best choices for Uber or Lyft drivers. It was rated at 44 mpg and 47 mpg for highway, so it is undoubtedly fuel efficient. This car is reliable and inexpensive. It has a neat looking interior, solid brakes, and sharp steering. A used Honda Civic 2015 costs between $12000 – $1800.
Chevrolet Malibu 2018
This car has been a regular favorite among Uber and Lyft drivers for a number of years. This car model was even recognized as the Best New Car for Teens and the Best New Midsize Car for Families in 2017. It is considered a popular option among ridesharing drivers because of its fuel efficiency. It has a rating of 27 mpg in cities and 36 mpg in highways. It has a comfortable cabin and large legroom in the rear passenger area. It is also affordable, with a price for used models starting from $14000.
Hyundai Sonata 2016
For Uber and Lyft drivers who do not want to spend so much money, but want great performance in a car, the Hyundai Sonata would not disappoint. It has a dynamic body, with a 28 mpg fuel efficiency rating in cities and 38 mpg in highways. You can expect to pay around $10000 – $19000 for a used Hyundai Sonata 2016.
Honda Odyssey 2014
A used but high quality vehicle like the Honda Odyssey 2014 is another great choice for Uber and Lyft drivers. This model offers great quality features of a new Honda for approximately $21000. It has a highway gas mileage of 30 mpg, making it an affordable choice for those who want to save money on fuel. It also has efficient safety features which makes it an excellent car for ridesharing drivers.
Ford Fusion 2017
The Ford Fusion 2017 is an approved UberX model. It is a popular option among ridesharing drivers because of its affordable price. It is priced at around $22,000. It is certainly reasonably priced considering all the wonderful features it offers. It is packed with high technology features, stylish interior, superbly built exterior, and elegant cabin. It is definitely classy but not costly. Furthermore, it has a spacious cabin and large trunk to hold plenty of luggage.
Honda Civic Sedan 2017
This is another model approved for UberX. It offers premium, safe, and a stress-free ride for Uber and Lyft customers. This car could definitely earn you 5 stars. It has a chassis that was built for agility and maximum comfort. Its 1.5 liter turbo engine is ideal for Uber and Lyft drivers who are looking for extra power in their car. It has a sporty and stylish design, well tuned suspension, precise steering, and extra space for cargo.
Kia Soul 2016
The Kia Soul 2016 offers a surprisingly large room for passengers, thanks to its boxy design. Its distinct look makes it stand out among the sea of SUVs and sedans. It makes a great Uber and Lyft car because of its large interior space and super convenient access. It is very affordable, but comes with great features like its leather seats. It also comes with forward collision warning safety features, which makes it more safe and reliable to drive. A used Kia Soul 2016 costs around $11000 – $18000.
Audi A4 2017
The Audi A4 2017 is one of the best cars for ridesharing drivers. This car is very impressive especially for business executives. Not only does it have a large headroom, but it also has wide legroom for a more relaxed and comfortable ride. This car also comes with the latest technology and an upscale interior finish, which guarantees an air of elegance.
This car is highly recommended for Uber and Lyft drivers due to its sleek and modern interior, large cargo space, rear folding seats, comfort, and convenience.
Honda CR-V 2015
This all-wheel-drive car is reliable in any weather. It is a popular choice for ridesharing drivers because of its comfortable and large cabin, good fuel economy, competent handling, solid exterior, top safety scores, and additional ground clearance. Invest in winter tires if need be. The average price of a used Honda CR-V 2015 model is about $19000.
Lexus ES 2013
The Lexus ES is usually praised for its comfort and reliability, which are very important for ridesharing drivers. Depending on its mileage and condition, a used Lexus ES is priced around $20,000. It comes with two different infotainment systems. The Display Audio system features a 7-inch screen, which is very user friendly. Its Remote Touch Interface is equipped with a navigation system and an 8-inch screen.
It has comfortable and supportive front seats which offer a large head and leg room. The rear seats are especially spacious, which makes it perfect for Uber and Lyft passengers.
Hyundai Tucson 2017
Another recommended car for Uber and Lyft drivers is Hyundai Tucson. It has a spacious interior, both for passengers and luggage. It is also very fuel efficient with a 27 mpg for the front wheel drive model. Because of its height and available all wheel drive, it can ensure efficient driving even in inclement weather conditions. It has an exterior which is visually impressive, thus makes it an appealing car for Uber and Lyft customers. You can expect to pay between $17000 to $28000 for a used Hyundai Tucson 2017 model.
Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra is another powerful option for Uber and Lyft drivers. The 2020 Elantra model starts at $19000. It has a 2.0 liter, 4 cylinder engine with 147 horsepower. It has an estimated 35 mpg combined rating for city and highway driving. It comes with a nice 7-inch display, Android and Apple carplay, and enhanced safety gears.
Hyundai Ioniq 2019
This car is one of the least expensive PHEVs available in the market. Its pure hybrid version is even cheaper. It has up to 39 miles of range solely on electric power. With this car, you can enjoy optimum performance with great fuel economy. A used Hyundai Ioniq 2019 can cost around $25000.
Conclusion
As the popularity of ridesharing transportations like Uber and Lyft continue to grow, a lot of drivers are looking into starting their own rideshare business and joining the ranks of Uber and Lyft drivers. Buying the right car is paramount to achieving success in this business. In choosing the perfect car, it is important to consider certain factors like reliability, affordability, comfort, space, safety, and convenience.
In the end, do what you think is best for you when it comes to rideshare driving. You do not really have to drive the most expensive car as long as you give your customers the right service and ensure the safety and comfort of their journey.
It is also important to check with Uber or Lyft, to make sure the car you are eyeing to buy is among their list of approved vehicles. Also, make sure that you meet all the necessary requirements in order to legally work as a rideshare driver.