Lyft Car Types: Options, Car Types, and Services

Lyft is a rideshare company with a variety of services to offer riders.

In this post, we’ll explore the different types of cars Lyft offers as well as the services each type of car provides.

Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly ride or something a little more luxurious, Lyft has you covered!

So what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more about Lyft car types!

Overview of Lyft

Lyft is a rideshare company that allows drivers the freedom to use their own vehicles to transport passengers.

Many different vehicles are eligible because some people need extra seats or want a luxury car to pick them up.

Lyft differs from taxis because they’re not regulated by the city.

As a result, the cost of your ride might be less than a traditional taxi line.

It’s easier to find Lyft drivers on demand by using the app.

You can pick the driver nearest your location or wait for a certain car.

When Calling a Lyft, Can You Specify the Type of Car?

You can specify the type of ride mode when you call a Lyft, but you can’t specify the exact type of car.

You are also not allowed to request a specific Lyft driver using the app.

The ride modes you can choose include:

• Economy
• Luxury
• Extra seats
• Assisted

Within those modes, you can further request modes like Wait & Save, to get a lower price, or Priority Pickup, at a higher cost but for an immediate response.

How to Select a Specific Lyft Ride Type

Open the Lyft app and input your destination to book a ride.

You’ll see the different ride modes available.

When you click on a certain ride type, the request button changes to confirm you’re getting a certain mode.

It also shows you the price and arrival times so you can choose specific options.

Lyft Car Types

Within the ride modes of Economy, Luxury, and others, you can choose from many different car types.

You can also pick certain levels of service and priority to get your ideal price.

Economy Lyft Car Types

Economy car types include the standard Lyft rides and several more options as seen below.

All have different car types available, as well as unique price points.

1. Lyft

Lyft is the standard offering from this rideshare company.

You can book a Lyft for up to four riders, although they restrict cars to three passengers due to Covid safety precautions.

Lyft Vehicles

When you order a standard Lyft, you’ll get a four-door car that has at least five seats, including the driver.

Cars are 2003 models at the latest, but more often they’re newer cars.

Lyft Car List

You can expect to see these types of cars when you order a standard Lyft:

• Chevrolet Impala
• Ford Taurus
• Honda Accord
• Honda Civic
• Kia Optima
• Mazda 6
• Toyota Avalon
• Toyota Camry

2. Lyft Shared

Lyft Shared is a way to save money when you’re ridesharing.

If multiple people need to go in the same direction, one driver can pick up several customers.

You’ll still get dropped off at your destination, but the ride might take longer as the driver stops to pick up and drop off other passengers.

Since you’re sharing a Lyft with other people, your ride will cost less than getting your own Lyft.

You can see what stops the driver will make before you reserve a Shared ride.

There are guidelines for Lyft Shared, like how long the driver waits for a pickup and how to act with the other passengers.

Lyft Shared Vehicles

Lyft Shared uses four-door vehicles just like a standard Lyft.

Just because more people ride in the same car with you, it doesn’t mean the driver will have a larger vehicle or van to transport everyone.

There are some Covid restrictions in place.

Lyft Shared Car List

When you order a Lyft Shared Car, watch for these vehicles:

• Chevrolet Malibu
• Ford Fusion
• Honda Accord
• Honda CR-V
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia K5
• Mazda CX-5
• Nissan Altima

3. Lyft Wait & Save

Lyft Wait & Save is a pilot program designed for maximum efficiency.

Instead of paying a high price during peak hours, you can get a lower price if you’re willing to wait for a driver.

The app matches you with a driver that will be near your location and destination in time, rather than immediately.

Lyft Wait & Save Vehicles

Lyft Wait & Save Vehicles are similar to other Lyft cars.

This option differs in terms of pick-up time instead of car type.

You’ll still ride in any car that meets Lyft’s standards, but it will take longer to get to your location.

Lyft Wait & Save Car List

Your Lyft Wait & Save driver might be in these types of vehicles:

• Chevrolet Cruze
• Chevrolet Impala
• Ford Fiesta
• Honda Civic
• Honda HR-V
• Nissan Sentra
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Corolla

4. Lyft Priority Pickup

Lyft Priority Pickup is the opposite of Lyft Wait & Save.

You move to the top of the list and get a quick pickup above other people who are waiting for rides.

You’ll pay more for this privilege, but if you’re in a hurry, it’s worth it.

Lyft Priority Pickup Vehicles

Just as with Lyft Wait & Save, Lyft Priority Pickup refers to how quickly you get a ride, not the type of car you’ll get.

Any car that fits Lyft’s acceptable guidelines could give you a ride.

Lyft Priority Pickup Car List

Lyft Priority Pickup cars include vehicles like:

• Chevrolet Malibu
• Ford Focus
• Honda Accord
• Kia K5
• Mazda 3
• Nissan Versa
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Corolla

5. Lyft Preferred

Lyft Preferred is a slightly more luxurious option.

You can ride with a group of up to four, but you have control of the ride.

You can tell your driver you want a quiet ride and not talk or listen to the radio.

You can ask them to keep the car at a certain temperature.

If you’re carrying a lot of bags or luggage from a trip, it’s best to book a Lyft Preferred ride due to the space.

These cars are slightly larger, with at least 37 inches of legroom.

The cars are nicer, too, and must be a 2015 model or newer.

Lyft Preferred drivers are the best on the app, with a rating of 4.9 or higher and over 300 completed rides.

They guarantee a clean vehicle for a comfortable, relaxing ride.

Lyft Preferred Vehicles

Lyft holds the Preferred vehicles to a higher standard than your typical ride.

These cars must be 2015 models or newer.

They’re also larger cars that promise at least 37 inches of legroom in the backseat.

Lyft Preferred Car List

Cars that fulfill the Lyft Preferred requirements include:

• Audi A8 L
• BMW 7 Series
• Cadillac CT6
• Honda Accord
• Lincoln Continental
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Subaru Legacy
• Toyota Avalon

Luxury Lyft Car Types

The previous ride modes were based on the price you pay or how long you’d have to wait.

Once you start looking at luxury Lyft rides, you have more input on the vehicle itself.

6. Lyft Lux

Lyft Lux guarantees you arrive at your destination in style.

The vehicles eligible for this mode are high-end sedans and SUVs to ensure all eyes are on you as you pull up.

Lyft Lux Vehicles

Besides being a high-end sedan or SUV, all Lyft Lux vehicles have leather or faux-leather seats.

You’re able to slide right out of the ride and into the party with this ride mode.

Lyft Lux Car List

To get an idea of what to expect when you order a Lyft Lux, picture these vehicles:

• Acura TLX
• Audi A6
• BMW X3
• GMC Yukon Denali
• Infiniti Q50
• Jaguar XF
• Lexus ES
• Lincoln MKZ

7. Lyft Lux Black

Booking a Lyft Lux Black means you’ll get a high-end sedan or SUV as mentioned above, but it will have a black exterior.

When you want to look sleek as you pull up to your destination, Lyft Lux Black is the way to go.

Lyft Lux Black Vehicles

Lyft Lux Black vehicles are high-end with leather or faux-leather interiors.

Selecting this ride mode guarantees the exterior is black.

Lyft Lux Black Car List

A Lyft Lux Black will be a black model of these types of vehicles:

• Audi A6
• BMW 5-Series
• Cadillac Escalade
• GMC Yukon
• Infiniti Q70
• Lexus LS
• Lincoln Navigator
• Mercedes-Benz GLS

Lyft Car Types With Extra Seats

Sometimes you need a car with more space.

Select one of these ride modes to pile in a group of friends.

8. Lyft XL

Lyft XL guarantees you’ll get a ride in an SUV that has seats for at least six passengers in addition to the driver.

Since the vehicles are larger, you’ll pay more per ride.

Lyft XL Vehicles

To qualify for Lyft XL, the vehicle must be an SUV with seats for six or more passengers.

The vehicle should have four doors that can open independently.

Lyft XL Car List

Lyft XL vehicles include:

• Dodge Durango
• Ford Explorer
• GMC Acadia
• Honda Pilot
• Hyundai Santa Fe XL
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Lexus GX 460
• Nissan Pathfinder

9. Lyft Black XL

Lyft Black XL ensures that your party of six passengers arrives in style in a sleek black SUV.

Lyft Black XL Vehicles

Like the Lux vehicles, Lyft Black XL vehicles must have a black exterior.

The interior is leather or faux leather.

Lyft Black XL Car List

Some vehicles you might see for Lyft Black XL include black models of:

• Acura MDX
• Audi Q5
• BMW X3
• Infiniti QX60
• Lexus GX
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
• Tesla Model X
• Volvo XC90

Other Types of Lyft Transportation Options

There are plenty of ride modes and car types to book through Lyft.

But some people are looking for something a little different.

Lyft has those methods of transportation covered, too.

10. Lyft Scooters

When you rent a Lyft Scooter, you get to explore the city in a more engaging way than being a car passenger.

You’ll pay $1 to unlock the scooter, then anywhere from $0.20 to $0.39 per minute.

You can keep a scooter for 12 hours.

11. Lyft Bikes

Lyft Bikes give you another way to get around on two wheels.

Like Scooters, you pay $1 to unlock the bike.

After that, it’s $0.34 per minute.

You still use the Lyft app to access these modes of transportation by scanning the bike’s QR code to unlock it and track your mileage.

12. Lyft Car Seat

Lyft Car Seat is a secure option for parents and caregivers in New York City to travel with their baby.

Though the vehicle includes a car seat, you’re responsible for buckling your child in.

Lyft Car Seat Vehicles

Standard Lyft cars can be car seat drivers as long as they have car seats correctly installed in the backseat.

Lyft Car Seat Car List

Any car that passes Lyft’s requirements can install a car seat and drive, such as:

• Chevrolet Malibu
• Ford Focus
• Honda Accord
• Honda CR-V
• Kia K5
• Mazda CX-5
• Nissan Altima
• Toyota Corolla

13. Lyft Access

Lyft Access is available for people who use motorized wheelchairs and need appropriate transportation.

Not every city has Access rides, but Lyft has resources for other accessible rides if needed.

Lyft Access Vehicles

Lyft Access vehicles are large enough to accommodate a motorized wheelchair.

You can lock it into place during transit.

This option isn’t for anyone with a foldable wheelchair.

Lyft Access Car List

Lyft Access vehicles that can fit motorized wheelchairs include:

• Chevrolet Traverse
• Chrysler Pacifica
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Honda Odyssey
• Kia Sorento
• Kia Soul
• Kia Telluride
• Toyota Sienna

14. Lyft Assisted

Lyft Assisted is for people who need help when they’re picked up and dropped off at their destination.

You can’t request these rides yourself; your healthcare provider has to ask for them.

Lyft Assisted Vehicles

Lyft Assisted vehicles to vary depending on your needs.

Some people just need help getting in and out of a car that’s higher or lower than average.

Some might need assistance with mobility devices.

Lyft Assisted Car List

Various cars and SUVs can serve as Lyft Assisted vehicles, including:

• Chevrolet Impala
• Ford Taurus
• Honda Civic
• Honda CR-V
• Kia Sorento
• Mazda 6
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Highlander

Lyft Car Types vs Uber Car Types

Lyft isn’t the only ridesharing app that offers different car types.

Uber services come in a pretty great variety as well.

Here’s how they compare:

• Lyft and Uber X both offer private rides.
• Lyft Shared and Uber Pool give cheaper rides with more people getting picked up along the way.
• Lyft Preferred and Uber Comfort give you more control over your ride’s comfort level.
• Lyft Lux and Uber Select ensure an upscale vehicle.
• Lyft Black and Uber Black both guarantee a vehicle with a black exterior.
• Lyft XL and Uber XL allow more passengers at once.

It’s nice to have different app options when you’re looking for a driver.

Since Uber and Lyft offer similar services, you can shop around for the best price as well as an available driver.

Wrapping Up

Using Lyft doesn’t mean you have to sit in the backseat of someone’s junky sedan.

You can take charge of your ridesharing experience and level up for more legroom, leather seats, or a sleek exterior.

Lyft drivers can take your whole group from place to place on demand or after a wait, depending on your budget and timeline.