Top five Uber rides
If you’re thinking of a new career as an Uber driver, here’s the cars you should buy…Thinking about joining the Uber ride-sharing revolution – behind the wheel? You will need a car and if the one you’ve got doesn’t fit the mould or is just too old, inefficient or ugly you will need a newer, better one.
In conjunction with the highly-experienced staff from Auto Inspect, carsales.com.au’s vehicle evaluation service that checks all Uber vehicles for safety and mechanical defects, we’ve taken a look at what’s available new or slightly used and come up with a list of vehicles we think will please drivers and passengers alike.
Uber has its own criteria that needs to be met when choosing a ride-sharing vehicle. Take a look at its website before taking the next step.
Notwithstanding the checklist, there are a range of factors that apply to any car an Uber driver – or anyone who spends a lot of time behind the wheel – should consider.
Comfort: you and your passengers are going to be sitting in this thing for up to 12 hours at a stretch. If the seats are like bricks and the aircon struggles you don't want it. Make sure your test drive lasts at least 30 minutes to confirm the car is comfortable.
Economy: some cars are incredibly frugal but make you pay for the fuel savings via restricted performance, cramped passenger space or expensive servicing. Short-list some models that appeal then use the our comparison tool to put them head-to-head.
Servicing: a car that’s off the road for anything more than scheduled servicing is a liability you can’t afford... Read vehicle reviews and be wary of models that rate badly for durability or parts cost. Unlimited-kilometre warranties usually won’t necessarily apply in commercial-use vehicles, so check with your dealer.
Safety: being out of the road more frequently means greater exposure to crash risks. You want a car that has been engineered to take care of its occupants in a crash and those that score top rankings in ANCAP testing will generally provide the best protection.
The Cars
Our short-list of potential Uber-ride vehicles was still extensive before some lively discussion with members of the vehicle evaluation team at Auto Inspect ensued and we settled on five that should appeal to most people in the market for a four-wheeled workplace.
Toyota's roomy and economical Camry pretty much picks itself. Even if you're sceptical of Toyota's Synergy Drive technology that combines petrol and electric propulsion, there's the conventional 2.4-litre Camry that does a brilliant job of racking up kilometres without using masses of fuel or haunting the dealer workshop.
However, if you're planning on being a full-time Uber operator with your car topping 100,000 kilometres annually, the Hybrid's 5.2L/100km City/Highway fuel figures can deliver big savings in operating costs. Going for a new car if you can afford one is preferable, bearing in mind that the battery carries an eight-year 160,000km factory warranty.
Skoda Superb
People with memories dating back to the 1960s might remember Skoda as a basic but roomy family cars with the best factory-supplied tool-kit in the market. Volkswagen now owns the name but the cars are still Czech-made using the best combination of components from the VW parts store.
We've gone for the five-door Superb because it's roomy, well-equipped and with a good reputation for reliability. Depreciation is savage so two-three year-old Skodas offer great used-market value.
The Skoda looks quite different from most of Volkswagen's European family but shares its engines and six-speed auto transmission with other models. Astonishing amounts of leg-room front and rear make the Superb an ideal passenger carrier.
Hyundai i40
Opinion among the Auto Inspect wise heads was divided between the i30 and larger i40. Both cars should provide plenty of trouble-free hours on the road and look after owners when servicing time rolls around. The i40 Wagon lets new-car buyers pick between petrol or diesel versions but the sedan is turbo-diesel-only.
Attractions include fixed-price servicing for the first 45,000km but check how commercial use affects Hyundai's unlimited kilometre warranty.
The i40 is roomy and stylish and comes with clever features like Park Assist and the Lane Keeper if you can afford the Premium Tourer.
Mazda 3
The 3 has been battling for years to put its name on top of local vehicle sales charts; missing out to the Corolla in 2014 by fewer than 500 units. That said, when debating which of the pair might offer the better deal for drivers and passengers the classy Mazda won out.
Buying new and with a fixed-price deal on servicing is preferable, however, a barely-used Maxx Sport in the used market won't bust the budget either.
Fuel economy from the 2.0-litre automatic averages 8.5L/100km and that's about 15 per cent better than you'll get from a comparable Corolla. Auto Inspect confirm that it's rare to see a well-maintained 3 with significant problems.
Mercedes-Benz C200
Yes, it's a Mercedes-Benz being suggested as a ride-sharing car. In Australia that might seem incongruous but if you have ever walked out of a European airport and into cab it was very likely a Benz as well.
Leather trim and a slick cabin are givens with the C200 but the surprise is in the driving. Supercharged 1.8-litre cars deliver 120kW and turbocharged 1.8 versions a hefty 135kW. Mercedes-Benz says this engine will use fuel at an average of 6.0L/100km or you can choose the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel and enjoy 4.5L/100. Airbags are everywhere and the C200 includes a whole range of dynamic safety features as well.
And now a couple NOT to choose.
Auto Inspect undertakes safety checks on all vehicles joining the Uber ride-sharing network.
Mike Walden is Head Vehicle Inspector for Queensland and had no trouble coming up with a list of cars that consistently display very similar faults. Topping the list are two that carry Holden badges.
Holden Commodore
The V6 Holden is heavy for its size and not especially fuel or space efficient. It’s hard on brake and suspension components and also leaks oil from almost every component that's lubricated. Those thick windscreen pillars also make life hard for drivers needing to negotiate narrow streets, especially at night.
Holden Captiva
These SUVs are spacious and can seem like bargains due to low prices in the used market, but beware. Electrical malfunctions, oil and fuel leaks, brake problems and transmission woes make used Capitivas a challenge to own even for private buyers. Walden says they are a big no-no if being relied on to generate income.
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