Cars from America: Ideal for Working at Uber

Having a car shipped from the US and Canada is the right solution for those who plan to work with Uber using their mobile app. The Columbus team of experts has named the cars in different price categories they believe would be best to work with Uber or other ride-hailing services.

As you probably know, Uber keeps about 20-25% of the amount paid by the passenger for the trip, and only 80% - 75% goes to the driver. In some countries, the commission is even higher, reaching 33%. This is a pretty big number and in order to make the work more efficient, the taxi driver needs to think twice about the vehicle they want to use. At the very least the car needs to be efficient and comfortable for the passenger.

A smart decision would be purchasing a used car in the US – the same or similar model costs 30-40% less at an American auction than it does in Georgia. All that remains is choosing a suitable one for work depending on the price range. Below is the list of the best cars from the US to use as a taxi cab, according to Columbus experts.

Micro and small cars

• Mitsubishi Mirage is the twin brother of Mitsubishi Colt, a compact hatchback that handles well, has a firm suspension, quiet engine and consumes only 4-4.5 liters of gasoline / 100 km in the city.

• Chevrolet Spark is a class A model, a modification of the car well-known locally as Daewoo Matiz. The city fuel consumption of 7.3 l / 100 km using its 0.8 l. engine and the small size of the car make it perfectly suited for the narrow streets of old Georgian towns.

• Honda Fit, also known as Honda Jazz in the Georgian auto market. The appearance of this "baby" may be deceiving. It resembles a shopping bag in the way that it doesn’t seem to take up much space but you can put a lot in it. The car’s steering is precise, the suspension is comfortable, and it can pull a big load. The proprietary i-VTEC system seems to give the 100 hp engine a second wind.

• Volkswagen Jetta is a stylish and fuel efficient sedan – its 2.0/115 hp engine uses 9.3 l/100 km in the city, and just 6.7l on the highway. The car has a simple and functional body structure, higher clearance, and wide-opening doors. The rear suspension provides a smooth ride of a premium class vehicle.

• Chevrolet Cruze is a neat and easy to maintain hatchback that is pretty well suited for long-term use. Cruze’s gasoline engine consumes up to 8-8.3 liters of fuel in the city with a manual transmission. The hatch’s excellent safety is an important pro for its buyers. It got the highest scores in the Euro NCAP crash tests and was recognized as one of the most reliable in its class in 2009. And the car’s 425 liter trunk will allow you to take more luggage.

Mid-size and executive cars

• Ford Fusion is the first production sedan available in four options: gasoline, EcoBoost, hybrid, and Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid option. The Fusions have always had a soft suspension, good soundproofing, and a roomy trunk. They are valued for their reliability, agile handling, convenient interior transformation, and decent clearance. But most importantly – you will never have a problem finding spare parts!

• Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling models in the lineup of the Japanese car maker. You could say it’s a people’s car. It boasts some of the finest features in its class - a powerful engine (up to 132 hp), combined fuel consumption of about 6.2 liters, luggage space of 471 liters, and sufficient ground clearance (150 mm). It is a comfortable car for a taxi cab in every sense of the word.

• Honda Accord - typically 8th generation - is a great option for those who aim higher in terms of payment rates. The interior of the car is presentable and meets the comfort requirements of even the most demanding passengers. The car is very pleasing with its smooth acceleration and it is also very reliable provided you take good care of it - the automatic transmission can run for 200-300K km given a timely replacement of solenoids. And cab drivers will definitely be happy with Accord’s 464-liter trunk.

• BMW 5 Series. This car does not need an introduction or extra praise. You can find it with exclusive packages, a professional cockpit, various assistants, and a sports body kit. These cars are assembled only in Germany guaranteeing their quality.

• Lexus ES is a combination of sophistication, performance and handling. The car has a design where every detail has been given due attention, excellent aerodynamics, and a spacious interior. In 2018, Lexus ES had the highest reliability scores in the Euro NCAP test in its class.

Electric cars for working in Uber

• Nissan Leaf is probably the best choice for those who plan to work for Uber full-time. The car can go 230-250 km on one full charge. The advantages of the model include low noise level, more stable drive due to the lower placement of the battery, and fast acceleration – 0-100 km/h in 9 seconds. Cars with a battery capacity of 80-85% brought from the US to Georgia will provide income to their owners for a long time to come.

• Volkswagen E-Golf will be great for those who don’t like the innovative body design of Nissan Leaf. In a number of ways, the electric golf is no different from the classic gasoline version. For example, it has the same sharp steering wheel. The car is smoother than Tesla 3, almost as lively, and allows for significant fuel economy. The car can travel up to 190 km on one full charge.

Hybrid cars

• Toyota Prius is a truly legendary hybrid. The used car market as a rule offers the third generation vehicles. The Prius consumes about 4 liters of gas per 100 km. It has a durable battery, a simple and reliable transmission, and a practical interior. It’s a surprise the Prius was not made in Germany.

• Chevrolet Malibu has long been one of the most popular Chevy models although it was somewhat overshadowed by its competitors - Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The car is suitable for a taxi cab driver planning to work at higher rates. Since 2019, Malibu has been available as a hybrid with a new infotainment system and a variable transmission replacing the six-speed automatic. This car saves money - the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine consumes only 8.1 l/100 km in the city. Not at all bad for a powerful 250 hp engine in a comfortable and spacious car.

• Chevrolet Bolt. This plug-in Hybrid outperforms any vehicle sold by General Motors in terms of owner satisfaction, according to the data from Statista. A 2nd generation model can go 480-500km using its 1.4 liter internal combustion engine that kicks in when the battery is low. And the car can travel up to 65 km on its electric charge alone. What else does a taxi driver need?

SUVs and Off-roads

• Ford Escape is a legendary and popular crossover. Inexpensive maintenance, high seating position, a roomy trunk and a spacious interior are the undoubted advantages of this car. Its engine has an appetite for gasoline and has been praised by mechanics for the location of the units under the hood. Equipped with all the necessary assistants, the SUV easily adapts to different road conditions. The 1.5-liter engine will live up to 400K km. Keep in mind that Escape’s front-wheel drive option is more fuel efficient.

• Chevrolet Equinox is a mid-size crossover that is very popular in the US. In 2017, it noticeably lost weight and size as well as a complete makeover - from the platform to the set of power units, from design to electronics. The ICE options all come turbocharged. The 2-liter car is equipped with a nine-speed automatic, and the other two options come with six-speed’s. The crossover has all the features of a modern car - from CarPlay and cameras to all-wheel drive and stabilization systems, which is great news for both drivers and passengers.

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The Columbus team will help you find any car listed on the American car auctions, including others not mentioned in our Top List.

Contact the company's representatives by calling +(995) 596 00 00 45 or use the web chat on the Georgian website of Columbus.