Choosing a car for permanent work in a taxi service is not as easy as it seems at first. The car should have a pleasant appearance and a comfortable interior for passengers, be economical in maintenance, environmentally friendly and maneuverable. Let's consider which car to buy and by what criteria.
To work in a taxi, you need the main tool, that is, a car. But how to choose a car for a taxi and which one is best suited for such tasks depends on the compliance with the key criteria of the taxi car. You will not have to choose which car to carry passengers in if you already have a vehicle at your disposal. If you are looking for the best car for a taxi, combining a vehicle for personal use, rely on several nuances of choice.
- Cost and status. The best car is the one that is not presented in a too budget category, but does not occupy the top positions in the classes. An expensive car will take a long time to pay off and may not bring income at all. Take representatives of the middle management to earn money and not scare away clients with good income.
- Consumption. The best taxi car uses the least amount of fuel. Refueling is what takes the most money. That's why buying cars with a powerful engine is unwise.
- Reliability. A good taxi driver can drive 500 kilometers a day. Therefore, the reliability criterion is key when we choose a car for taxiing. Cheap Chinese or domestic cars are available, but reliability leaves much to be desired.
- Service and access to spare partsThe easier it is to service, repair and find parts for a car, the more profitable it will be to drive a taxi in it.
- Ergonomics and comfort for passengers. A taxi car must be comfortable, spacious and offer at least an average-sized trunk. No 3-door cars. Climbing into the back row through the front seat will be a dubious pleasure for passengers.
1. Daewoo Matiz
The new Daewoo Matiz is a pretty good choice for a driver. The car is small, fuel consumption is only 5.5 liters per 100 km. At the same time, the car is quite comfortable for four people, including the driver. The car is maneuverable and does not cause problems with parking even in narrow courtyards. The disadvantages include a small trunk. When meeting or taking passengers to the airport, it is simply impossible to put all the suitcases in the trunk. The car is not recommended for out-of-town trips, but will serve as an excellent city option. But again, if the roads are full of potholes or are absent altogether, it is better to choose another model;
2. Daewoo Nexia
The quality and reliability of this model have been tested by many drivers and time. The car is quite powerful, and the fuel consumption will be 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers. This car attracts with its affordable price, inexpensive maintenance and savings in terms of fuel consumption. It can be difficult to buy it in a car dealership, sometimes the queue lasts for more than one month. The basic configuration does not have a power steering, which will make life difficult for the driver;
3. Daewoo Lanos
It would probably be better to try to answer the question of why this car has become so popular in our taxi service. Many will say that the main thing is the price. But the difference in cost between Lanos and Logan is not the biggest, so more arguments are needed. For starters, it has a simple engine. Yes, it has little power, it has dynamics only at the start, it does not warm up and cool the car very well, it consumes a lot, but we repeat - it is quite reliable. Many blame the Lanos gearbox, and especially its reliability, but its breakdown is not a very common occurrence. The car fits perfectly with LPG, there is room in the back for at least two, and until recently, spare parts were sold for hryvnia per kilogram. Well, and the main thing is the rather meager equipment, which gives scope for people's creativity.
4. Renault Logan
This model is extremely popular. If you pay attention to the flow of cars in the city, you will notice that most representatives of this brand have taxi checkers on the roof. It is famous for its impenetrable suspension, which is especially important for our roads. In addition, the interior is quite spacious, the trunk is large in volume, and in general the car is very reliable. The price in the showroom bites, but quite favorable credit terms are available;
5. Lifan Smily
A good car of Chinese manufacture. The basic configuration includes airbags, power steering, and tilt steering wheel adjustment. In addition, even fog lights are included. This model is affordable, moves briskly in the city. In terms of technical characteristics, it is similar to the Deo Matiz, the trunk is small.
6. Lada Granta
It has shown itself to be excellent on our roads. The fuel consumption is optimal - about 9 liters per 100 km. The car is considered practical, and the kit includes daytime running lights that turn on when you turn the ignition key and turn off automatically. This is a huge plus for drivers, you will not have to look for ways to charge a dead battery. The trunk in the car is large and roomy, the interior is comfortable;
7. Lada Largus
There was a representative of the domestic auto industry. All kinds of VAZs are a thing of the past, because they are old, unreliable and simply bad-looking cars. Largus Customers have become capricious, so a taxi driver in a Zhiguli is not in demand. But the new Largus, despite its domestic origin, is respected. This is one of the best cars among Russian ones, which is suitable for a taxi. The car costs from 400 thousand rubles, has a fairly rich configuration, a comfortable roomy interior and a large trunk.
8. VAZ 2113
The car is not very convenient for a taxi, as it has three doors. It will not be easy for a passenger to get into the back seat. This can provoke conflicts and inconveniences. Many car companies and taxi companies clearly indicate in their requirements that they work only with four-door cars. However, if the budget is very small or such a car is available, and the desire to work in a taxi has just appeared, it is worth the risk;
9. Lada Kalina
Engine 1600 cm3, power 81 hp at 5200 rpm, consumption about 8 l per 100 km. The disadvantages of such a car include a noisy interior and not very good build quality. Still inexpensive maintenance and repair. But the car looks more modern.
10. VW Transporter 4
A car that is ideal for use as a taxi, if you are lucky enough to find a copy in good condition. Or you have the opportunity to buy a similar car abroad. Diesel, convenient control, reliable chassis, well-established service, spare parts are easy to find, a spacious interior, a large trunk. And although it is not very rational to stand in a traffic jam with one passenger, but the owners of such cars in taxis rarely get into such situations. At least, they say so very confidently. And such a car is also very good for household use.
11. Fiat Doblo
The car is not as big and spacious as the previous one, but still quite roomy. Its price is also not the worst (today it is only 100 thousand UAH more expensive than Lanos). Engines - 1.4-liter gasoline, or there is a version with a 1.6-liter diesel and a hundred horses in reserve. You can install LPG on the gasoline or order a factory modification, which, however, runs on methane. The car itself is comfortable, spacious, as for Fiat, it is very well made and quite common, so there should not be big problems with spare parts. More than one taxi driver expressed a desire to change his horse for this car, and such a desire is not easy to deserve. In addition, if you have at least 30% of the required amount, then you can count on a "sparing" loan (by our standards).
12. Fiat Linea
Spacious, comfortable, with an affordable diesel engine and an alternative in the form of factory LPG. The disadvantage of a higher cost can be easily compensated by good credit conditions.
13. Saipa Tiba
This Iranian has recently begun to be assembled at the Bogdan Corporation factories. So, to some extent, it is a Ukrainian car. But it is, like Lanos, Korean, though from the 1980s. The car is very simple, both in the interior and in terms of equipment, but its level of technology is almost the same as Lanos, which means that the car has every chance of serving for a long time.
14. Toyota Camry
A car that taxi drivers dream of. With such a car, you can count on all VIP orders in any taxi service. It will always be good on the road, clients will respect and carefully close the doors, and on weekends you can earn money at weddings. However, you can forget about payback in today's reality.
15. Skoda Superb
A car that prudent taxi drivers dream of. A sort of Camry, only from the Czechs. Enormous space in the cabin and trunk, a good diesel engine, comfortable running gear and overall reliability. True, as in the case of the Camry, you can't even dream about the opportunity to make money today.
16. Hyundai Solaris
A good Korean car from Hyundai with a wide range of advantages. Let's start with a beautiful design and solid appearance, inspiring confidence from wealthy and fastidious customers. Solaris Passengers are offered a spacious interior, beautiful interior design, a large trunk and good dynamic performance. From the side of the owner of such a taxi based on Solaris, the strong points are the price from 500 thousand rubles, high build quality and reliability of the car. It is high, which allows you to go even beyond the asphalt, take companies out into nature.
17. Rapid
Once upon a time, the Czech Fabia and Octavia from Skoda were good for taxis. With the advent of the Rapid model, the segment of the best cars for taxis has undergone serious changes. Rapid is distinguished by excellent build quality, comfort, convenience, and an attractive appearance. This is a car that can carry passengers from a wide range of social classes. A wealthy person will definitely get into Rapid, since the car looks very respectable. In addition to its appearance, the affordable cost of even a new version, budget maintenance, and widespread availability of parts speak in favor of Rapid. Plus, it is an economical car with a reliable engine.
18. Ford Focus
We are not talking about the latest versions of Focus from Ford. But the previous generations are well suited for taxiing. On the secondary market, you can find an excellent car for 300-400 thousand rubles. But Focus is a high-quality, reliable, comfortable and durable car with an economical engine and a very solid design. Although the car is not the largest, the interior space is organized competently, which allows you to transport 3-4 passengers and luggage.
19. Chevrolet Aveo
A car from Chevrolet, which is widely represented on the secondary market and among new cars. Aveo is affordable, economical, and has no problems with maintenance. It is a replacement for the outdated Lanos, which are inferior to Chevrolet in terms of comfort, reliability and appearance. Aveo is deservedly included in the rating of the best cars for taxi driving. It is easier to make a profit with it, since repairs and refueling do not cost much money, and passengers do not disdain to get into the cabin.
20. Chevrolet Lacetti
Another Chevrolet, but a class higher. The car has good technical characteristics, affordable price and budget service. Speed is not Lacetti's strong point, but it allows you to comfortably transport 3-4 passengers. The back row is quite spacious, the trunk is roomy, especially in the station wagon body. If you are looking for a car for the city, then it is better to buy a Lacetti with a 1.6-liter engine with 109 horsepower. Quite a dynamic engine combined with an attractive and solid appearance will make your taxi in demand.
21. Nissan Leaf
Of all the electric cars on our market, this one is the most suitable for use as a taxi. It does not have an outstanding power reserve, but its competitors cannot boast of anything similar either. 200 km at an average driving speed will be enough for a nimble taxi driver for half a day. Only the Tesla Model S has a longer power reserve, but using it as a taxi requires a solid investment. The trunk of the Leaf is not the largest, but sufficient (for example, the Renault Fluence ZE has a trunk no larger than your laptop bag). Although the chassis was developed separately, most of the parts are used from Nissans already on our market. There will be no problems with repairing the car, since it does not have any complex or incomprehensible parts. Also, unlike the Fluence ZE, the Leaf has not yet been discontinued, so there should be no problems with the electrical part, especially the battery.
22-24. Berlingo, Kangoo and Partner
These are three virtually identical cars that share a common platform. The manufacturers are Citroen, Renault, and Peguoet, respectively. These cars are large, incredibly roomy, and can have an extra row of seats. At the same time, the cars are equipped with economical but fast engines. In addition to 5-7 passenger seats, Berlingo, Kangoo, and Partner offer a huge trunk. If a client needs to transport luggage or load an entire family or company into one car, you will become the most sought-after taxi driver in one of these cars.
The real "electromobilization" of taxis will come only after cars with a range of 500-600 km, a normal trunk and a cost of less than 25 thousand dollars are brought to the market. However, then not only taxi drivers, but also ordinary citizens will switch to electric cars.
