Updated: 06/27/2021
Are you a rideshare driver in the market for a new car? Okay, maybe not a new car—maybe just new to you. If you’re a driver, you know that your car means a lot. After all, you can’t do your job without it, right? While everyone has different needs and preferences, here are a few tried and true rideshare cars for drivers looking to get the most out of their vehicle (and the money they paid for it).
1. Toyota Prius
There are a couple reasons to go with an electric or hybrid car. First of all, they save you money on fuel. Secondly, for drivers in cities that are trending toward more requirements about the environmental friendliness of vehicles, cars with a smaller environmental footprint can be helpful. In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board (CARB) said the Prius is one of the cleanest cars on the market today.
While there’s nothing particularly “fun” or flashy about the Prius, it does have a surprising amount of space—for passengers and luggage alike—for a car of its size.
Worried about the battery life? The Prius comes with a minimum of an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty. In states that hold to the California emission laws, this warranty extends to 10 years/150,000 miles.
Used models (model year 2010) start around $10,000. You can get a new Prius starting somewhere around $25,000.
2. Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion, along with its slightly older predecessor, the Focus, is an all around great vehicle. It’s a pretty sleek, nice-looking vehicle that offers plenty of space while still taking it easy on fuel consumption. The back seats also have more space than many sedan style vehicles. This feature makes it ideal for rideshare drivers. Average gas mileage is between 24 and 36 miles per gallon. However, there is also a hybrid model (“Energi”) that boasts 42+ miles per gallon.
Post-2010 used models of this car usually start around $10,000, although you can often find them cheaper than that. New models are around $19,000 and up.
3. Honda Civic
This is another one of rideshare cars that’s hard to hate. Its average miles per gallon put it ever so slightly above the Fusion—coming in around 33 miles per gallon on average. Starting in 2015, there has been a hybrid model that boasts 44-47 miles per gallon.
This is a more compact car that many find a bit more visually appealing than the Prius. However, it’s smaller, so be sure to think about how much space you want for your passengers.
Again, used versions of this car model year 2010 or newer usually come in at around $10,000. The new version is around $19,000 or more.
4. Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is considered a midsize car, so if you’re wanting a little more space for your passengers without sacrificing gas efficiency, take a look at this one. The new 2018 model has five different trim designs, and also boasts 34 miles per gallon for mileage.
The 2010 model year starts around $9,000, and the new 2018 model starts around $23,500.
There’s also the hybrid version of this car, which gets between 51 and 53 miles per gallon. However, it’s also a bit more expensive—almost $29,000 for the 2018 model.
5. Toyota Corolla
This car tends to be pretty inexpensive to maintain on top of having a good resale value. Depending on model year, it tends to get good gas mileage as well—between 32 and 35 miles per gallon for the non-hybrid LE Eco version. The 2000 version cars have a lot of interior space as well, making it a perfect option for a rideshare driver.
Although they’re not the prettiest cars on the market, they’re pretty reliable and great rideshare cars. Maintenance is cheap, and you’re unlikely to need to do a lot of costly repairs on them.
It’s also more affordable than many other vehicles on this list. 2010 model years start at around $9,500 used. The new version is just over $16,000 to start.
6. Hyundai Sonata
This car brings a decent mix of value and comfort. The Sonata SE is comparable to Honda Accords and Toyota Camry’s, but has been less popular in the U.S. market to this point. You can get a 2.0 liter supercharged 4-cylinder, or go with the more fuel efficient 1.6 liter 4-cylinder. The latter gets between 28 and 38 miles per gallon.
Used models from 2010 to present start around $10,200 in price. New models come in a bit over $20,000.
7. Chevrolet Volt
This is a more expensive vehicle—$33,000+ to buy new—but it’s an appealing vehicle whether you like speed or fuel efficiency. The cruise range is a whopping 382 miles. Mileage per gallon is around 42 mpg, although the model from 2016 boasts a 53 mile range for its electric version.
It also features a lot of new gadgets and safety features, and can be eligible for the federal tax credit for people buying electric vehicles.
Used versions, which start in 2012, are around $15,000.
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