Most rideshare drivers enjoy Uber X, Uber Pool, Uber Eats and other standard driving, with an affordable car and reasonable expenses. What happens with Uber XL and Uber Select driving, where the car is over $60,000? Let's take a look at the Uber XL and Uber Select platform and see how money is being made there, as well as how much money can be made.
Uber XL and Uber Select
First of all here are the requirements for Uber XL and Uber Select:
Uber SELECT Car Requirements:
- 4-door luxury sedans must seat 5 or more passengers.
- Not more than 4 years old.
- Leather Interior.
- In-state car insurance.
- In-state plates.
- Current car registration.
- No marked, taxi, or salvaged vehicles.
- Pass the Uber vehicle inspection
The Uber Select list of cars:
- Acura RDX/MDX/TLX+
- Audi A3/Q3/S4/A6/Q7+
- BMW X3 & X5
- BMW 5 Series & 7 Series
- Cadillac CTS, Escalade, SRX+
- Hyundai Genesis Sedan
- Infiniti EX/FX/QX/Q50+
- Lincoln Navigator
- Porsche Macan/Cayenne
- Mercedes-Benz C/G/CLS/GL+ Class
- Tesla Model S
- Buick Enclave/Regal/LaCrosse
- Land Rover Discovery
- Lexus GS/LX/GX/RX+
- Land Rover Evoque
- Kia K900
Uber XL Car Requirements:
- The model year 2002 or newer.
- 4-door SUV and/or minivan with independently opening doors.
- It must Seat at least 6 passengers.
- No full-sized vans or trucks.
- No taxicabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles.
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles.
The Uber XL list of cars
- Kia Sorrento
- Toyota Highlander
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Dodge Durango
- Ford Explorer
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Dodge Journey
- Chrysler Town and Country
- Ford Flex
- GMC Acadia
- Toyota Sienna
- Subaru Tribeca
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Honda Odyssey & Pilot
It is important to understand that these two driving options require a large initial investment and also require extra standards from their drivers. Having stated this, let's look at a typical day in an Uber Xl or Uber Select drivers life.
Uber XL and Select rates
These rates vary from city to city, but the averages are around:
Uber Select Rates:
- Base Fare: $1.50
- Per Minute: $.50
- Per Mile: $2.00
- Booking Fee: $1.65
- Minimum Fare: $10.00
- Cancellation Fee: $10.00
Uber XL Rates
- Base Fare: $1.50
- Per Minute: $.25
- Per Mile: $1.20
- Booking Fee: $1.65
- Minimum Fare: $7.65
- Cancellation Fee: $10.00
Calculating the Expenses
While the UberX expenses are set at around $0.31 per mile, the more expensive cars lose that advantage when dealing with maintenance issues. Fuel consumption is also a problem for the less economical vehicles, and insurance is always higher. So there is four major difference in Uber XL and Uber Select expenditure:
- Cost of vehicle
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Miles per gallon
While an average oil change would normally cost $50, for an imported German luxury car it can start at $140, having stated this, the efficiency of these cars might require only four oil changes a year so that the difference can balance out. The other issue is maintenance from a collision point of view. When considering the deductibles from a small incident, just fixing the paint and some dents can go well into the thousands of dollars. Also note, if your car is a luxury car, your passengers do not want to see even the slightest crack in paint or dent on the fender. Appearances are important in XL and Select.
Other maintenance costs can include replacing a cracked exhaust manifold, remember that many expensive cars are turbo-charged engines and when the warranty for parts is over you will have to pay thousands of dollars to replace parts.
Hourly Income
Having scared you with all the above-mentioned expenses, there is a bright side, apart from the higher income. No matter how much you drive, your average income will be around $20 per hour. So if you drive a 40 hour week (no weekends), you will make $800 a week which is approximately $3,600 a month. That gives you a gross annual income of $43,200. This is the income without tips.
Money vs. Enjoyment
Unlike UberX, Uber XL and Uber Select attract a different crowd of passengers. The Uber select passenger can afford a more luxurious ride and is usually a less stressed person. You also find you are picking up some extremely famous or wealthy passengers such as super-models, entertainers, and sports stars. Meeting stars and sometimes being allowed to "selfie" with them, is a wonderful pastime experience.
Another feature is the rating, the passengers in Uber Select usually rate the driver higher and tips better, in fact, the tipping can be a major game changer especially with the affluent travelers.
One very important feature is the driving experience, driving a luxury car is much more comfortable and also be seen in one gives a great boost to the ego. Even if you are only a driver by trade, owning and driving a luxury car is a wonderful narcissistic feeling.
Conclusions
Building a luxury service business is not for everyone. You have to be prepared to take a financial risk and invest heavily in your main asset, your car. You have to live in an area where you will be needed, in other words, if you live in a small community town, being an Uber Select driver will kill you quickly. If however, you live in New York, LA or SF, Chicago or Houston, and other such major hub cities, dring a luxury car will be a swell considered an investment.
Just remember these important facts:
- Car costs are high, maintenance and car parts replacements can destroy you if you are not a careful driver.
- Always be cheerful, passengers willing to pay for an expensive ride do not want a sullen driver.
- Always maintain a professional appearance, clothes and stance, and also interaction. Make sure your customer feels important, it helps with the overall rating and tipping.