Comparing the different Uber Services
As a passenger, you might sometimes get confused by the differences between the various names used to define Uber car categories. Uber has split it ride-sharing service into luxury and price levels. We will discuss in brief some of the differences between these car groups as well as provide insight into the app selection process.
Uber Car Categories
Uber's car categories are split into 4 distinctive types, of which one has two service levels:
- UberX: standard car category
- UberPOOL: rides sharing section of UberX
- UberXL: larger car category than UberX
- UberSelect: the first luxury level
- UberSUV: Uber's SUV luxury level
- UberBLack: Uber's primary luxury level
- UberLUX: Ubers top line service in LA only
###Selecting a Car in the Uber App
Your app is automatically set to the cheapest price option which is UberPool or to UberX, depending on the city you are in.
If you want to select a different category, you must enter the trip request option, add your destination and then a slider will appear at the bottom of the screen where you can select between all the services available in your city. Once you have selected the service, it will appear colored in, and the request button will state the service you want, for instance, "request UberBlack." Take note that some cities don't offer many variations, so if you are living in such a city or visiting one, you might only have UberX.
The different categories explained
What is UberX (and UberPool)
UberX is the standard entry level to all of Uber rideshare services. UberPool is a service usually covered by UberX cars, and most of the rides are within this category. UberX costs around $0.90 per mile and $0.015 per minute.
UberX car requirements are:
- No older than a 10-year-old model
- Some CA cities will accept 15-year-old cars
- The car must seat no less than four passengers including the driver.
- The car must have four doors, no center opening doors or wings
- The car must have four working seat belts
- The car interior must be clean and the upholstery in good condition with no wear and tear or stains.
- The car exterior must be clean, with no scratches or dents.
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberX:
- Nissan Altima. Sentra.
- Toyota Prius, Camry, Corolla, Tacoma.
- Ford Focus, F-150.
- Chevrolet Malibu, Cruz, Cobalt.
- Volkswagen Golf, Passat.
- Chrysler 300 and 200.
- Honda Civic, Accord.
- Mazda 3, 6.
What is UberXL (and UberPool)
This is Uber's large passenger-carrying service, for taking five to six passengers per ride. The income is higher since the ride rate is higher, but only large groups or families will order this option. UberXL costs around $2.00 per mile and $0.20 per minute.
UberXL requirements are:
- The car must seat five passengers
- There must be six working seatbelts not including the drivers
- The car must be newer than ten years from the date of application
- The car interior must be clean and the upholstery in good condition with no wear and tear or stains.
- The car exterior must be clean, with no scratches or dents.
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberX:
- GMC Acadia
- Dodge Caravan, Durango
- Honda Odyssey, Pilot
- Ford Explorer, Expedition
- Chevrolet Suburban, Traverse
- Nissan Pathfinder, Quest
- Toyota Highlander
What is UberSelect
This is Ubers first luxury level category, what they call entry-level luxury. UberSelect costs around $3.00 per mile and $0.30 per minute
UberSelect car requirements are:
- No older than an 8-year-old model
- The car must seat no less than four passengers, not including the driver.
- The car must have four doors
- The car must have four working seat belts
- Car interior must be leather only
- The car interior must be clean and the upholstery in good condition with no wear and tear or stains.
- The car exterior must be clean, with no scratches or dents.
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberSelect:
- Audi A3 and up
- BMW series and up
- Lincoln (all)
- Mercedes C and up
- Volvo S60
- Acura
- Cadillac
- Hyundai Genesis
- Infiniti all models
What is UberSUV
These are Ubers full luxury SUV fleet. This service costs around $4.00 per mile and $0.45 per minute.
UberSUV car requirements are:
- No older than a 5-year-old model
- Cars must be full SUV only
- The car must seat no less than four passengers, not including the driver.
- The car must have four doors
- The car must have four working seat belts not including the drivers
- Car interior must be leather only
- The car interior must be clean and the upholstery in good condition with no wear and tear or stains.
- The car exterior must be clean, with no scratches or dents.
- Commercial registration
- Commercial insurance
- Airport permits where applicable
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberSUV:
- Cadillac Escalade,
- Chevrolet Suburban,
- Lincoln Navigator,
- GMC Yukon XL,
- Infiniti QX80,
- Mercedes GL-Class,
- Lexus LX
What is UberBlack
These are Uber's full luxury vehicles and cost the most to the request. UberBlack prices are similar to UberSUV, but UberBlack is a limited service, so prices a can differ greatly between cities.
UberBlack car requirements are:
- No older than a 4-year-old model
- The car must seat no less than four passengers, not including the driver.
- The car must have four doors
- The car must have four working seat belts
- Car exteriors and interiors must be Black.
- Car interior must be leather only
- The car interior must be clean and the upholstery in good condition with no wear and tear or stains.
- The car exterior must be clean, with no scratches or dents.
- Commercial registration
- Commercial insurance
- Airport permits where applicable
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberBlack:
- Audi A6, A7, A8
- BMW series 5, 7
- Mercedez-Benz E and S class
- Porsche Panamera
- Tesla Model S
- Jaguar XF, XJ,
- Cadillac XTS
What is UberLUX
This is Uber's top line and is only available in NYC, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Austin. More cities will be added later.
UberLUX car requirements are:
- No older than a 4-year-old model
- The car must seat no less than four passengers, not including the driver.
- The car must have four doors
- The car must have four working seat belts not including the drivers
- Car interior must be leather only
- The car interior must be clean and the upholstery in good condition with no wear and tear or stains.
- The car exterior must be clean, with no scratches or dents.
- Commercial registration
- Commercial insurance
- Airport permits where applicable
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberBlack:
- Audi A8
- BMW series 7
- Mercedez-Benz S class
- Porsche Panamera
- Tesla Model S
- Range Rover