Owning a car isn’t cheap, and with gas prices on the rise, it’s not getting any cheaper.
While it is possible to get free gas, that only goes so far.
When you’re responsible for all of your rideshare expenses on top of your daily driving costs, investing in one of the best gas mileage cars can be the smartest strategy for keeping more of what you earn.
When you own a vehicle that offers great fuel efficiency, you can save money on gas without hunting down the cheapest prices every time you need to fill up.
Your new car will ensure you won’t be filling up as much as you used to in the first place.
Below, we’ll give you a complete rundown of the best cars for rideshare drivers to consider.
Related Resource
How to get a free car: Various programs and discounted car resources.
With all the fuel-efficient vehicles available nowadays, you don’t necessarily need to purchase a fully electric car to limit your on-the-job gas expenses.
Plenty of car models — including traditional vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) — are eligible for Uber, reduce your carbon footprint, and allow you to stay on the road longer without refilling your tank.
As you go through our list of the best gas mileage cars below, take note of which ones include the features you want in a vehicle.
Some options will allow you to qualify for higher-paying services, while others will keep you at the standard economy level.
Before you make any purchase, always make sure to check that Uber or Lyft is accepting your desired car model in your area, as requirements and available Uber services may differ from market to market.
1. Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Known as the most fuel-efficient car in the United States, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a midsize sedan that offers outstanding fuel economy — nearly 60 mpg — without sacrificing its features.
The car interior feels luxurious, with built-in lumbar support for you and leather seats for everyone.
It also comes with a touchscreen monitor for rider entertainment and safer navigation, as well as a large cargo space that’s perfect for rideshare drivers doubling as a delivery drivers.
Though the backseat is tighter than you’d expect from a midsize option, you and your passengers will always be protected by modern safety features and a lifetime battery warranty when you choose this affordable car option.
Plus, when it comes to actually driving, you won’t feel limited by the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid’s above-average 139 horsepower.
- Fuel Economy: 57 mpg City / 59 mpg Highway
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $22,400 to $28,550
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX
- Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft
2. Honda Civic Hatchback
The Honda Civic is one of the most popular compact cars in the U.S. today, and the 2020 Hatchback trim specifically offers the best gas mileage, especially when you consider the fact that it’s not even a PHEV.
This vehicle has an impressive sporty look and leather-trimmed interior for an economy option.
It’s even equipped with a wireless phone charger tray and dual zone climate control to appease and impress all your riders.
Though its cruise control isn’t the highest quality, the Honda Civic is does accelerate smoothly and provide a comfortable ride that your riders won’t be complaining about.
Honda Civics are also consistently one of the safest sedans around.
- Fuel Economy: 31 mpg City / 40 mpg Highway
- MSRP: $19,750 to $27,600
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX
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Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft
3. Toyota Prius
The most popular Uber car today, the Toyota Prius is almost synonymous with sustainability and savings these days.
Much like our previous options, the Prius is equipped with plenty of cargo room and a touchscreen monitor that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay (though it lacks Android Auto).
However, it also offers a few extra features to impress your riders with: three built-in USB ports, a wireless charging tray, and integration with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant.
Though it’s not exactly the most exciting car to be picked up in, it’s a reliable, comfortable, and — most importantly — safe.
You’ll have access to safety features like pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, eight airbags, and a clear backup camera.
If you choose to turn on cruise control, your passengers are guaranteed a smooth and quiet ride.
- Fuel Economy: 58 mpg City / 53 mpg Highway
- MSRP: $24,200 to $32,375
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX
- Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft
4. Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
The first SUV on our list, the Kia Niro is built with a gasoline engine and an electric motor to make for a roomy and affordable PHEV.
Taking a note from smaller hybrids, this car model uses regenerative braking to charge your battery every time you slow down, so you can limit both your charging time and gas expenses, even with a larger car.
With its dual clutch automatic transmission, you can slow down and speed up faster without wasting gas in between.
The Kia Niro even offers parking assistance and blind spot detection, so you’re always confident on the road, even when you’re driving a group of passengers around.
The Kia Niro doesn’t offer enough seats to qualify for UberXL or Lyft XL, but its size provides top-notch comfort for you and your riders, even if everyone’s carrying a large bag or luggage.
- Fuel Economy: 52 mpg City / 49 mpg Highway
- MSRP: $23,490 to $32,250
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX
- Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft
5. Toyota Camry
A tried and true vehicle for UberX drivers, the Toyota Camry is a reliable standard sedan that offers more than standard features.
This car model has a five-star safety rating, even while offering as much as 301 horsepower and excellent fuel economy.
You can further boost the Toyota Camry’s impressive gas mileage by purchasing the brand new hybrid version, but this basic model already provides top-notch features and a lifetime of savings.
Though its technology is similar to that of the Prius, this Toyota model has a driver-focused design that makes the difference in terms of driving visibility, stable steering, and comfort after a full day of driving.
- Fuel Economy: 29 mpg City / 41 mpg Highway
- MSRP: $24,295 to $35,000
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX
- Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft
6. BMW 540d xDrive
This BMW 5-series model is the most expensive on our list, but it will make you eligible for at least four services on both Uber and Lyft if you get it in black.
This means it’s a money maker in addition to being a gas money saver.
The fuel economy on this vehicle may not be the most impressive, but compared to other luxury cars that qualify for black car rideshare services, it’s perhaps the best gas mileage car option.
The BMW 540d xDrive is eye-catching and offers 261 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and a six-cylinder diesel engine for an all-around high-quality ride.
With the ability to get up to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, it also offers extremely fast and smooth acceleration, as well.
The last released version of BMW 540d xDrive was in 2018, but this means you can likely get this luxury model as an affordable used car.
- Fuel Economy: 26 mpg City / 36 mpg Highway
- MSRP: $53,400 to $74,450
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX, Select, Black
- Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft, Lyft Lux, Lux Black
7. Mitsubishi Outlander
Finishing off our list is an SUV that qualifies for higher-earning XL services on both Uber and Lyft.
While the Mitsubishi Outlander’s fuel economy isn’t perfect in comparison to all of the sedans on our best gas mileage cars list, it’s more fuel-efficient than other non-hybrid SUVs in the market.
If you want to save money (on both gas and your initial purchase) while seating six or more, this is a far better option than UberXL vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Mazda CX-9, and Nissan Armada.
Built with a four-cylinder engine and continuous variable transmission, it’s an appealing car to drive that can get a bit noisy, but newer models are steadily making improvements on this slight downside.
In terms of technology, the Outlander does a great job of keeping your hands on the wheel by offering hands-free calls and voice navigation when you link your smartphone.
Its tech system even allows you to drive on ECO mode for better fuel efficiency, while its sound system allows music to be heard throughout the entire SUV.
- Fuel Economy: 25 mpg City / 30 mpg Highway
- Cost: $24,695 to $33,195
- Uber Eligibility: UberPool, UberX, UberXL
- Lyft Eligibility: Shared, Lyft, Lyft XL
Frequently Asked Questions
New fuel-efficient cars are released every single year, which means you can easily get your hands on one of the best gas mileage cars any day of the year.
If you still have any questions about selecting a car for your ridesharing gig, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
1. What is considered good gas mileage?
Good gas mileage depends on the type of car you’ll be driving.
We recommend looking for sedans that offer at least 30 mpg (for combined city and highway driving) when shopping for sedans and aiming for 25 mpg when shopping for SUVs.
If you’re seeking a powerful pick-up truck or crossover SUV that you can use for a variety of activities beyond ridesharing, good gas mileage may be slightly lower.
2. How do I make sure my car model is eligible for Uber or Lyft?
Uber and Lyft don’t have complete resources for what car models are eligible for each city, so the best place to direct your inquiry to is your local Uber Greenlight Hub or Lyft Hub.
Representatives at these in-person locations will be able to tell you if the car model is fit for the market, as well as if they’re accepting drivers for the car’s eligible services in your area.
If you don’t live near a Hub, calling Uber or contacting Lyft about the specific car models you’re interested in may be your best bet.
3. Can I drive in the HOV lane if I purchase a PHEV?
Every state has its own set of motor vehicles that are eligible to drive in the HOV lane without other passengers, so not all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are qualified.
Check your local regulations for carpool lanes before making a purchase if this is a big factor in your final purchase decision.
Save Money by Driving Clean
Choosing one of the vehicles on our list of the best gas mileage cars will help you limit your carbon footprint and save money on gas all at once.
Our selection is complete with cars that offer the rideshare experience your passengers expect so you don’t miss out on tips either.
If great gas mileage isn’t the ultimate factor for you when selecting a car, you may be interested in shopping for options from a more extensive list.
