2018 Tesla Model S
$85,000| U.S. News Score: 9.3/10
What’s better than our top-rated luxury large sedan to thoroughly impress your Uber Select passengers? The all-electric Tesla Model S is a guaranteed head-turner, but it doesn’t come cheap. However, it’s important to note that it qualifies for a federal electric vehicle tax credit, and several states offer additional rebates as well.
The Model S boasts an expansive cabin with synthetic leather seats, loads of cargo space, and state-of-the-art technology features, including a whopping 17-inch touch screen. It features ludicrous acceleration, adept handling, all-wheel drive, and 310 miles of range. To top it off, keeping it charged will cost you less money than paying for gas.
2019 Chrysler 300 Touring L
$33,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The Chrysler 300 is a good choice for Uber Select, but you have to upgrade to the Touring L trim level to get Nappa leather seats. Otherwise, the car checks all the right boxes. It’s spacious throughout, churns out admirable power, and boasts a posh interior that’s reminiscent of a German luxury sedan.
The 300 features Bluetooth, two USB ports, and an intuitive 8.4-inch touch screen with up-to-date smartphone capabilities. Aside from the leather upholstery, stepping up to the Touring L adds heated front seats and a power-adjustable passenger seat.
2019 Audi A6 Premium
$58,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
If the Tesla Model S is out of your price range, consider the completely redesigned luxury midsize Audi A6. It’s similar in size to the Tesla and offers an opulent interior with cutting-edge tech features and expansive space for five passengers. Leather upholstery is standard.
The A6 is powered by a strong, turbocharged V6 engine. In addition, it comes standard with sought-after advanced driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and front and rear parking sensors.
2019 BMW 330i
$40,250 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
BMW completely redesigned the 3 Series for the 2019 model year. It gets a more powerful base engine, improved handling, and more interior space. The 3 Series also has a large trunk for a sedan of its size. The base 330i sedan gets BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment interface with an 8.8-inch touch screen and enhanced voice controls. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it has a five-star overall safety rating.
The 330i includes synthetic leather upholstery, LED headlights, HD Radio, ambient lighting, power-adjustable front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror and driver's side exterior mirror.
2019 Genesis G80 3.8
$42,050| U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
The Genesis G80 is a top choice when it comes to a solid combination of luxury and value. It’s feature-filled, upscale, and comfortable. The G80 has generous, cushioned seats and fares remarkably well in crash tests. All of these qualities make it a worthy candidate as an Uber Select car. To top it off, the G80 offers lively acceleration, composed handling, a smooth ride, and excellent warranty coverage.
The G80’s standard feature list includes leather seats, heated front seats, a plethora of advanced driver assistance technologies, and an 8-inch touch-screen display with navigation and the latest smartphone integration. The base G80 3.8 gets its power from a 311-horsepower V6 engine.
2019 Lexus ES
$39,600 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
The fully redesigned 2019 Lexus ES is the winner of our Best Luxury Midsize Car for the Money award. It boasts an incredibly comfortable cabin with cushioned seats, sizable dimensions, and top-notch materials. The ES provides relaxed, well-controlled ride and handling, as well as satisfying acceleration. It also earns excellent scores in crash tests.
Standard features in the ES include a moonroof, dual-zone climate control, synthetic leather seats, and an 8-inch display with Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi hot spot. In addition, the Lexus features a healthy list of standard advanced driver assistance technologies, such as a pre-collision system, oncoming vehicle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and road edge detection.
2019 BMW 530i
$53,400 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10
The BMW 5 Series places at the apex of our midsize luxury car rankings. It receives much praise for its high-quality cabin, large trunk, and spacious, comfortable seats. It also provides a welcome blend of performance and ride comfort.
The base 530i will suffice as an Uber Select vehicle due to its standard synthetic leather upholstery. It comes equipped with a peppy, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that gets better gas mileage than many rivals’ powertrains. The 530i features a moonroof, a 10.2-inch touch screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and a full array of active safety systems.
2019 Kia Cadenza Premium
$33,100 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
The 2019 Kia Cadenza, which could qualify for Uber Select status in some cities, fares well in our large car rankings. It’s well-priced, has excellent warranty coverage, and receives exemplary ratings for safety. Moreover, the Cadenza’s interior is much like that of a luxury car, and it offers sufficient room for passengers in both rows.
The Cadenza Premium (base) has leather seats as standard. It also comes with useful features like Bluetooth, satellite radio, heated front seats, and Kia’s UVO infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range
$42,900 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
While the Tesla Model 3 is smaller and cheaper than the Model S, it offers class-leading cargo volume, sizable accommodations for five passengers, and many of the same features as its pricey sibling. The pure-electric Model 3 is incredibly efficient and delivers praiseworthy driving dynamics. It has a modern, minimalistic cabin with a 15-inch touch screen that controls just about every feature in the car. It comes as no surprise that it was one of the best-selling sedans in the U.S. in 2018.
Currently, the least expensive Model 3 is the rear-wheel-drive Mid Range trim. However, Tesla plans to release a $35,000 base model in the near future. The Mid Range returns an EPA-rated 123 MPGe and offers 260 miles of range. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it receives five stars in every crash test. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking comes standard. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the crash avoidance system a Superior rating.
2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300
$52,950 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
The Mercedes E-Class boasts one of the nicest interiors in its class, with ample room for five passengers in its sedan configuration. It handles well, provides a relaxed ride, and has ultra-supportive seats. Mercedes doesn’t stop there – the E-Class earns impeccable safety scores and comes teeming with desirable standard niceties.
The base E 300 includes a power sunroof, Bluetooth, two USB ports, navigation, voice controls, synthetic leather seats, and a 12.3-inch display with up-to-date smartphone app integration. Emergency brake assist, crosswind assist, and driver attention monitoring come standard as well. Keep in mind that you can upgrade the E-Class to include just about every feature available today.
2019 Audi A4 Premium
$37,400 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The Audi A4 is one of a handful of luxury small cars that are acceptable for Uber Select. This is due in part to its top-notch cabin, standard leather seats, and ample rear-seat space. The A4 earns high crash test scores and offers dynamic handling and respectable power. In its standard configuration, it’s equipped with a 188-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The A4 Premium (base) includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and rain-sensing wipers and headlights as standard. You also get a sunroof, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a 7-inch display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia
$38,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
If you prefer a car with superb athleticism, the Alfa Romeo Giulia deserves a look. It comes standard with one of the most potent base engines in our luxury small car rankings: a 280-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a refined eight-speed automatic transmission. Its front seats are spacious and supportive, though other luxury small cars provide more legroom in the back. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety designated the similar 2018 Giulia as a Top Safety Pick.
The Giulia comes equipped with leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, and a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
2019 Cadillac CTS
$46,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The Cadillac CTS is a joy to drive, thanks to its robust engine lineup, agile handling, and precise steering. It also earns respectable crash test ratings and has a classy, upscale cabin. The CTS’ front seats are cushy and supportive for long trips. Headroom and legroom in back should be okay for most adults.
The CTS sedan comes with a long list of attractive standard features, like synthetic leather upholstery, Bluetooth, two USB ports, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, an 11-speaker Bose audio system, dual-zone automatic climate, rear parking sensors, Teen Driver, and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with wireless charging and the latest smartphone app integration.
2019 Volvo S60 Momentum
$35,800 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
There are many reasons the completely redesigned 2019 Volvo S60 is a solid option for Uber Select drivers. It features an impressive engine lineup, coddling ride quality, and a premium cabin with plenty of head- and legroom in both rows. The S60 hasn’t undergone crash testing, but it comes with a desirable list of standard safety tech, such as road sign recognition, lane keep assist, run-off road mitigation, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
Standard features in the S60 Momentum include synthetic leather upholstery, Bluetooth, two USB ports, satellite radio, alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, power-adjustable front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 9-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2019 Toyota Avalon XLE
$35,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
Some non-luxury cars also qualify as Uber Select vehicles in certain cities. The fully redesigned Toyota Avalon lands near the top of our large car rankings, only exceeded by the Avalon Hybrid (the winner of our 2019 Best Large Car for the Money award), which will cost you $1,000 more. Either vehicle will be a terrific sedan for Uber’s program. The Avalon features expansive seats, a luxury-grade interior, and a coddling ride. In addition, it comes with an entire suite of active safety systems.
The base Avalon XLE and Avalon Hybrid XLE both come standard with synthetic leather upholstery. Standard features in both models include Bluetooth, five USB ports, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, heated front seats, and a 9-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Did you find an Uber Select vehicle that fits your priorities and budget? If not, check out our new car reviews to research other models.
When you’re ready to buy, use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealer near you with the best pre-negotiated prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of over $3,000 off MSRP.
In addition to savings off MSRP, securing the best interest rate on your new car loan can save you even more money. Use myAutoLoan to compare rates from up to four lenders and get the best deal.
15 Best Cars for Uber Select in 2019
- 2018 Tesla Model S - $85,000| U.S. News Score: 9.3/10
- 2019 Audi A6 Premium - $58,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2019 BMW 530i - $53,400 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10
- 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 - $52,950 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
- 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range - $42,900 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
- 2019 Genesis G80 3.8 - $42,050| U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
- 2019 Audi A4 Premium - $37,400 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2019 Lexus ES - $39,600 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
- 2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia - $38,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
- 2019 BMW 330i - $40,250 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
- 2019 Cadillac CTS - $46,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2019 Volvo S60 Momentum - $35,800 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
- 2019 Toyota Avalon XLE - $35,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
- 2019 Chrysler 300 Touring L - $33,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2019 Kia Cadenza Premium - $33,100 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
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These Uber Select Vehicles Are Roomy and Luxurious
Uber offers several different services as part of its ride-hailing business. If you don’t really care what type of car you ride in, you can just request Uber’s standard service, Uber X. However, some riders prefer a certain level of luxury, as well as the peace of mind to know that their driver is experienced and highly rated.
For those who want an upgraded vehicle and a highly rated driver at a price lower than the professionally driver Uber Black, the company’s entry-level luxury service – Uber Select – is a solid option. Uber Select drivers must graduate up to the luxury service after a certain number of drives and a top-notch driver rating.
Uber Select vehicles must be 2009 models or newer with four doors, seating for four passengers (plus the driver), and leather or synthetic leather interior. These cars must also be in excellent condition inside and out. It’s important to note that approved Uber Select vehicles vary by location. However, the cars we’re recommending should qualify in most markets. Additionally, Uber offers a similar service called Uber Lux in some cities, and many of these models will qualify for that rideshare service as well.
Let’s take a look at the best Uber Select vehicles for 2019 based on U.S. News rankings and reviews. If you’re a current Uber driver or have plans to apply for a job with the company, the following cars would be fantastic choices when it comes time to move up to Uber Select. Keep in mind that we are featuring new cars here, but you could opt for a similar used model as long as it meets the requirements.
Remember that U.S. News scores and rankings change on a regular basis. For this reason, the scores in this article may not match up with those shown in our new car reviews.
We’ve also compiled the Best Cars for Uber X or Lyft here. While they won’t qualify for the higher fares of Uber Select, most of these models are significantly cheaper than the ones you’ll find in this slideshow.
Continue reading to find the perfect car for use as an Uber Select driver.