Best cars for Uber 2023 | heycar (2024)

Toyota Prius

Year launched: 2016

You only have to spend five minutes in a UK city centre to know that Uber drivers love the Toyota Prius – it's one of the best small cars for Uber drivers. It’s got an excellent reputation for reliability and it’s hybrid motors make it very cheap to run.

Even the standard car will return more than 60mpg under tough-new WLTP real-world testing but the plug-in hybrid model is even better on fuel and is exempt from paying tariffs like the London Congestion Charge. Whichever model you go for, the Prius is easy to drive in town.

It feels well built on the inside and comes with an infotainment screen fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so you can mirror your phone’s display on the car’s big screen. It has room for four adults and the boot will swallow a couple of suitcases.

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Hyundai Ioniq

Year launched: 2016

There are no prizes for guessing where the idea for the Hyundai Ioniq came from – it even looks very similar to the Toyota Prius. Like the world’s first mass-produced hybrid, the Ioniq is cheap to run, practical and should be very reliable.

The Ioniq is a hybrid just like the Prius. That said, you can have it as an even-cheaper-to-run-but-pricier plug-in hybrid and as an emissions-free pure electric car – both of which are exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Unlike the Prius, which has a CVT gearbox, the Hyundai has a more responsive twin-clutch auto that doesn't cause the same engine drone. Like the Prius, it has a modern interior with an infotainment screen fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as space for four and their luggage.

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Kia Soul

Year launched: 2019

The Kia Soul EV is one of the best small cars for Uber drivers. It doesn’t blow you away with futuristic looks so you’d be forgiven for thinking its a relatively humble electric car – when actually, its electric powertrain is one of the best in the business, as is its seven-year warranty.

It’s got a 280-mile range under tough WLTP testing – which means it’s not as ‘pie in the sky’ as other figures you hear. It’s also quick and very quiet, plus it’s exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

The Kia’s interior is as unassuming as its exterior but it is packed full of kit and it’s also pretty spacious. It’s SUV style body translates into room enough for tall adults, although the shallow boot rules out luggage-upped airport runs.

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Find a Kia Soul for saleRead our full Kia Soul review

Hyundai Kona Electric

Year launched: 2019

Like the Kia, the Hyundai Kona Electric is another relatively affordable route to owning an extremely good electric car with a powertrain that’s one of the most impressive in the business – it’s one of the best small cars for Uber drivers. It's cheap-to-run, surprisingly quick, but also reasonably practical.

It only has one gear so you drive it like an automatic and the instant thrust it produces off the line is very impressive – you’ll surprise hot hatches away from the lights – but it also has a real-world range of up 280 miles.

Inside, there’s a large infotainment screen that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto so you can use your phone’s apps for music and navigation. There’s also space for four although you’ll need to remove the parcel shelf to get big suitcases in the boot.

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Skoda Octavia

Year launched: 2020

Okay, so the Skoda Octavia isn’t that small but it does cost the same as a small family car like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf which is why it qualifies for this list of the best small cars for Uber drivers.

You’ll have no trouble fitting four tall adults inside the Octavia and its boot is also huge for a car this price. Inside, it feels very well built, is easy to use and has an infotainment screen complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Skoda is available with petrol, diesel and petrol-electric drivetrains so there’s a model to suit all scenarios and you can also choose from manual or automatic gearboxes. It’s even fun to drive when you’re heading home after your shift.

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Find a Skoda Octavia for saleRead our full Skoda Octavia review

Toyota Camry

Year launched: 2019

If you’re looking for something a little more prestigious than the popular Toyota Prius, a Toyota Camry makes an excellent private hire vehicle.

It’s be cheap to run, officially capable of up to 52.3mpg thanks to its petrol-electric hybrid engine setup. It can set off under electric power alone, which means it’s very smooth and relaxing to drive (and be a passenger in) during stop-start traffic, while it’s also better for the urban environment than a ‘dirty diesel’.

It’s also a car you can depend on. Toyota routinely comes out on top in owner satisfaction surveys, while no other manufacturer can match its experience in selling hybrid vehicles.

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Find a Toyota Camry for saleRead our full Toyota Camry Review

Tesla Model S

Year launched: 2014

Electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S can make awesome Uber cars. They’re easy to drive and very refined, with no nasty engine noise ruining the Uber experience.

The Tesla Model S is actually classed as an Exec car by Uber, so people will pay more money to ride in one (which means you could earn more). Combine that with low running costs and you could soon rake it in with a Model S.

It’s a practical choice, too. The batteries are positioned under the floor, so there’s loads of room inside. Access is easy, thanks to wide-opening doors, and most models can travel more than 300 miles between charges. That could be a day’s work in a city centre.

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Skoda Superb iV

Year launched: 2020

The Skoda Superb has always been a strong choice for buyers seeking a spacious, almost premium car without a premium price tag. The range was bolstered in 2020 by the addition of the iV, a plug-in hybrid model capable of travelling up to 35 miles under electric power alone.

This means it’s particularly suited to life as an Uber car in London, where the ride-sharing app’s requirements state that cars less than 18-months-old must be zero-emission capable. The Superb iV will also qualify for Congestion Charge exemption until October 2021.

Technicalities aside, the Superb iV has loads of room for passengers and a huge boot for their luggage. Prices for a new one start from around £32,000.

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Volkswagen Tiguan

Year launched: 2015

Despite having a footprint similar to the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, the Touran is an incredibly versatile people carrier. All Touran models come with seven seats (five with Isofix child-seat points), while the middle row has three individual seats - reducing the chances of arguments between your passengers.

Should you need to carry more luggage than people, the Touran can accommodate an incredible 927-litres of luggage with the rear-most seats dropped (still leaving space for four passengers).

The Touran’s solid interior feels like it’ll wear well, even being used for private hire, while its efficient petrol and diesel engines mean it’ll be cheap to run, too. We’d go for the 1.5 TSI petrol for town use, or the 2.0-litre TDI if you’re expecting to spend more time out of town. Both can be paired with a DSG automatic gearbox.

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Find a Volkswagen Tiguan for saleRead our full Volkswagen Tiguan Review

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Year launched: 2014

Looking to have the ‘wow factor’ that’ll give you the edge over rival Uber drivers? Splash out on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class - the firm’s luxury limo which rivals cars like the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series.

It’s loaded with technology to make your life easier, while the seats are incredibly comfy (whether you’re spending all time negotiating city traffic or running passengers further afield).

The latest model arrived in 2014 and can be picked up on the used market for a little more than £20,000. Look for a 2015 or newer model and it will qualify for Uber’s Lux status.

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Find a Mercedes-Benz S-Class for saleRead our full Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review

Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius are very popular with Uber drivers for good reason. They’re cheap to run and suited to stop-start driving, which means they’ll be reliable (and good for the environment) in city centres. They’re also exempt from ULEZ charges.

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