2012 Kia Sedona could make a perfect Uber or Lyft vehicle.
Car transportation networks like Uber and Lyft have been legal in Las Vegas for more than six months. Interested in becoming a driver? Probably the most important consideration is going to be what kind of vehicle you use in your new job.
Let’s operate under the presumption you don’t already have one. The first recommendation that comes to mind is you’re not going to want to buy a new car. Simply put, it’s a big financial investment for a job that may not pan out. Figure out your budget and see how much car you can afford without relying on the Uber income.
OK, now that the heavy math is done, let’s drill down to what kind of vehicle is actually going to serve you best. A minivan is going to be a smart choice for a few reasons.
The first is financial. The used minivan market is soft right now. Prices have depreciated recently (especially now that we are beyond most of the tax return used car frenzy). You should be able to get a nice deal on a used minivan.
Which one would we recommend? A previous generation Kia Sedona would be a smart choice. It’s not the sharpest looking minivan on the market but being an Uber or Lyft driver isn’t about the looks. It’s about the practicality. Right now, a 2012 Kia Sedona with 50,000 miles on it should have a starting price around $11,000.
Travis Painter, certified premium specialist at Las Vegas-based Findlay Kia, said the Kia Sedona boasts seven passenger seats with the option of an eighth seat at a low price point.
“It has great storage space even if all seats are being used,” he said. “It also has a lot of safety features and received a five-star crash test rating (from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).”
Painter also recommended the 2016 Kia Sorento for Uber and Lyft drivers.
“It’s been redesigned so it’s larger than previous year models,” he said. “It also received a five-star crash test rating, has five seats that can be upgraded to seven and it’s an SUV so some people may feel more comfortable in that versus a van.”
Something to consider when buying a used minivan is to get one that has no extra frills. Why? They’re bound to get broken if you have a high volume of passenger traffic. Plus, they add additional cost to your bottom line investment.
Another good reason to go with a minivan is lots of rear legroom. Plus, minivans are easy vehicles for most people to exit and enter (at least the second row). They have something called a high hip point, which makes it comfortable for older passengers to enter.
SUVs and crossovers don’t have doors with wide openings. You’re going to be carrying people of all shapes and sizes. Nothing beats a minivan’s sliding door.
Minivans can offer seating for either seven or eight. Sure, as an Uber or Lyft driver, you’re probably not going to pick up large groups but it gives you the flexibility to do so. Also, minivans offer the practicality of being able to store a lot of luggage in a pinch.
There is one downside to minivans: fuel economy. The Kia Sedona I selected is rated at 18 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the highway. Unfortunately a lot of driving is done around town. Fortunately, fuel prices are still pretty good right now.
Something else to consider when going the Uber or Lyft route is to buy a dashboard camera. It’s just for your own protection if you are involved in an accident. It’s good to have a video backup of your driving before an accident happens.