Uber Lease: Why Uber Xhange Ended & 5 Alternatives In 2023

Rideshare companies, like Uber, ensure that people can get a safe ride to their destination, whether they don’t have a car or have had a few too many drinks.

Previously, with the Uber XChange program, you could lease a car.

However, this program ended back in 2018, leaving a lot of riders incapable of getting around.

But there are other alternatives to turn to in your time of need.

Let’s explore these ridesharing programs and get a more in-depth look into why Uber XChange ended.

Can I Lease a Car From Uber?

Although the Uber XChange leasing program has ended, you can still get a car to drive for Uber. This may seem confusing, but it is not.

Long-term leases are no longer available, but you can rent a car for an extended time.

You no longer have to sign a long-term lease; instead, you can rent weekly or even monthly.

Alternative companies offer more flexibility than Uber XChange and allow you to end your agreement at any time, without the hassle.

Uber has even partnered with some companies to ensure drivers have access to cars, which continues the flow of work.

What Was XChange, The Uber Lease Program?

Uber needed to compete with other businesses in high-demand cities. For those interested in becoming Uber drivers but were unable to secure a car, Uber promised to remove this barrier.

The answer was Uber XChange, a car leasing program.

Uber XChange was a way for people to acquire cars and get them on the road to provide Uber services.

Uber also made it possible for those with a weak credit score to start their Uber journey regardless.

Why Uber Ended the Xchange Leasing Program

If drivers were happy with the Xchange program, why did Uber end it? To understand why, you have to consider it from Uber’s perspective.

Xchange was part of Uber, meaning they had to provide the money and resources to manage it. However, Uber is not a vehicle leasing or rental company.

To understand how Uber works, you must understand that they built their business around their skills in tech and logistics.

Therefore, it made sense for them to form a partnership with Fair, a company that specializes in long-term vehicle rentals.

In reality, then, Uber leasing is gone only in the technical sense. You can’t get an actual long-term lease for a car, but you can rent one for a long period of time.

The difference is that you now have much more flexibility than in the old program. You no longer have the long-term commitment of a lease (which is typically for 36 months).

Instead, you can make weekly payments and renew your agreement every month (if you want to).

If you no longer need the car for rideshare purposes, you can end the agreement without any penalty or hassle (which is quite unlike a traditional lease).

In sum, then, Uber still offers a way for drivers without their own car and without access to traditional financing to get a car to drive for the service.

They’ve just switched from a leasing to a short-term rental model, and they’ve partnered with another company to make things easier for them and for drivers.

What Are Other Lease or Rent Options for Uber Drivers?

Fair isn’t the only program out there, however. There are several options for renting a car to drive for Uber.

They all have something unique about them, which can be the determining factor, and they have some drawbacks.

We will go over each of the five alternatives below, and you can decide which best works for you.

5 Alternatives to Uber Xchange

Each option in this section will let you rent a car to drive for Uber (and, in some cases, other rideshare or gig economy services).

They vary in their costs and length of commitments.

1. Fair

We already mentioned Fair car rental, since it’s the company that replaced the Uber Xchange program.

But it’s worth going into a bit more detail about what the service costs and where it’s available.

Here are the features you get with Fair:

• No long-term contract
• Unlimited mileage
• Hybrids, high-mpg cars, full-size sedans, and SUVs available
• Includes routine maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a vehicle warranty

Note that Fair does not include insurance.

This isn’t an issue when you’re driving passengers, as Uber’s policy protects you in those cases.

But you’ll still need to get coverage for when you’re not signed into the Uber app (in order to meet state requirements).

To get started with Fair, all you need are the following:

• Phone
• Bank account or credit card
• Photo ID

As far as costs, rentals start at as low as $130 per week.

You won’t be getting an SUV for this price, but you could get a practical Toyota Corolla (or similar) without issue.

You also have to pay a non-refundable startup fee of $500.

This is one major downside of using Fair, since lack of access to cash is one of the appealing reasons to use the service in the first place.

Still, it’s an option worth considering for getting on the road.

Here’s a sampling of cities where Fair is available:

1. Chicago
2. Dallas
3. Denver
4. Houston
5. Los Angeles
6. Nashville
7. Orange County
8. Philadelphia
9. San Francisco Bay Area
10. Seattle

For a full list of cities (and more info on the service), visit the official Uber/Fair rental website.

If you want more information on this app, check out our Guide to how the Fair App Works.

2. Hertz

Next up on the list we have Hertz.

You’re probably familiar with this company, as it’s a big name in the car rental industry.

Hertz has a partnership with Uber that allows drivers to rent vehicles.

Here’s what you get:

• Unlimited mileage
• Free maintenance
• Insurance included
• Rent compact sedans (like a Hyundai Sonata) or midsize sedans (like a Nissan Altima)

You can pay using a debit or credit card.

The base rate is $214 per week (not including taxes and fees).

You’ll also have to pay a $200 refundable security deposit.

You’ll get this back when you return the car.

You can keep the car for up to 28 days.

After that, you’ll need to return it for routine maintenance.

Rental commitments are weekly, so you can easily return the car once you don’t need it.

The program is available in these cities:

1. Atlanta
2. Boston
3. Chicago
4. Denver
5. Inland Empire (CA)
6. Los Angeles
7. Miami
8. New Orleans
9. Orange County
10. San Antonio
11. San Francisco Bay Area

To learn more about the program, visit Uber’s Hertz has a partnership with Uber.

3. Getaround

Getaround is a little different than the other options we’ve discussed so far.

It’s not intended to be a long-term solution. Instead, Getaround is an hourly car rental service.

Therefore, it’s best if you just want to try out driving for Uber or if you need a car to drive for a few days while yours is getting repaired.

If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can take advantage of Uber’s special partnership with Getaround.

Through this program, your first day of rental (up to 12 hours) is free. After that, rentals cost as little as $5 per hour.

To learn more about this program, visit Uber’s Getaround sign up page.

Also, if you’re just interested in hourly or other short-term car rentals for personal use, check out our writeups on Turo car rental and the difference between Getaround and Turo.

4. HyreCar

Our next option is HyreCar. It’s a site where private vehicle owners can rent their cars out to Uber, Lyft, and delivery service drivers.

It works a lot like Airbnb, except that you’re renting a car instead of a place to stay.

HyreCar offers lots of flexibility. You agree to the rental term you want with the car owner.

You are then free to use the car for rideshare driving and return it at the end of the rental period.

You can also extend the rental if the car owner agrees.

HyreCar is currently available in 35 states.

The company provides insurance for when you’re not giving rides (including insurance that bridges the coverage gap).

When you are transporting passengers, Uber’s insurance policy is in effect as always.

The costs of HyreCar vary based on the type of vehicle.

It’s up to the vehicle owner to set the prices.

If you pay for your rental with a credit card, you won’t be charged a security deposit (since the company has your card on file to pay for damages).

If you pay with a debit card, however, you’ll need to pay a $200 refundable security deposit.

5. Maven Gig

Our final pick for Uber car rental is Maven car sharing.

It’s the rideshare rental branch of Maven, a company that aims to provide flexible car rentals.

You can drive Maven vehicles for Uber, Lyft, or any other approved food delivery service.

The company specializes in offering fuel efficient and electric vehicles, which can really save you money when it comes to your operating costs.

All rentals include insurance, maintenance, and unlimited mileage. You can choose from a range of compacts, sedans, crossovers, and electric vehicles.

Rentals start at $199 per week.

There’s no startup fee, either, though you will be responsible for paying the insurance deductible if the vehicle gets damaged while you’re using it.

You can pay with any valid debit or credit card.

Maven Gig is available in these cities:

1. Austin
2. Detroit
3. San Diego
4. San Francisco
5. Los Angeles
6. Phoenix
7. Boston
8. Baltimore
9. Washington, D.C.

6. Turo

Turo is the largest car-sharing marketplace in the world.

With Turo, you can book practically any car you want in over 7,500 cities across the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Turo comes in handy not only for Uber driving but for personal business.

This includes when traveling to town or even if a special occasion is coming up.

Turo is an accessible, flexible, and scalable car-sharing business built from the ground up.

How Does Turo Work?

The first thing you need to do to get started is find the perfect car for you.

Simply enter your location and date on Turo’s ride-sharing app or website to browse through thousands of vehicles from the local hosts.

You can then book your trip and choose a protection plan.

You can cancel your reservation for free as long as it is 24 hours before the trip.

Once the car is delivered or you pick it up from the host, you can take it on the road for Uber driving or whatever else you please.

How Much Does Turo Cost?

The cost of a trip using Turo depends on the vehicle you select, the protection plan you purchase, and more.

As a result, the price can either be costly or inexpensive.

The final price includes the trip price, protection plan, young driver fee, delivery fee, and a security deposit for guests under age 30 who book a Deluxe Class car.

The trip price is a vehicle’s listed rate multiplied by the trip length.

What We Like About Turo

There are many great things about Turo.

The app is easy to use, and the interface is user-friendly.

The Turo app makes navigating through the bookings and messages straightforward.

You will also be able to search through the many vehicle options available.

You will find the pickup and delivery process to be timely and efficient.

Additionally, the customer service is responsive (well, sort of).

What We Don’t Like About Turo

Customer assistance might be delayed while dealing with more serious matters.

For example, you won’t receive a response promptly when dealing with a damage claim or a legal question.

Furthermore, your vehicle might arrive in any condition.

The vehicle might be brand new, or it could be a car used daily.

7. Flexdrive

Flexdrive is a car subscription service powered by Lyft that sources cars from local dealerships for you.

Flexdrive’s extensive list of vehicles can fit all budgets.

How Does Flexdrive Work?

The first course of action to take is to download the FlexDrive app.

After turning on your location, you can browse the different branded vehicles, ranging in price.

You will have access to many new and used automobiles, including fuel-efficient SUVs and electric vans.

Verify your account, which will only take a few minutes, and choose a subscription length and partner dealer.

Then, you can arrange when you want to pick up your vehicle.

You can upgrade, extend, or cancel at the end of your term.

All that leaves is dropping the car off at the partner dealer.

How Much Does Flexdrive Cost?

The cost of Flexdrive is dependent on the type of vehicle you choose.

There are seven subscription tiers.

The cheapest subscription tier is $400 per month, and it includes insurance, roadside assistance, taxes, and maintenance.

This tier includes vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Mini Cooper, Toyota Yaris, and more.

The most expensive subscription tier is over $1000 per month and includes Audi A3 Premium, Dodge Challenger SXT, Jaguar XF Sport, etc.

There is also a minimum subscription term of seven days if you want the car for less than a month.

What We Like About Flexdrive

Flexdrive has an extensive list of luxury cars to choose from.

There are even electric vehicles to keep the environment safe.

The delivery options are also quite convenient.

What We Don’t Like About Flexdrive

The cost is a bit pricey compared to the other rideshare platforms we have discussed.

There are many tiers to choose from but based on the quality of the vehicles, they can be pretty expensive.

8.Zipcar

Zipcar is a carsharing service founded in 2000 in the U.S. Zipcar offers its services in most major cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, and many more.

It offers its members instant access to vehicles using the Zipcard or the mobile app.

You can rent vehicles by the hour or day.

To become a member, all you need is to be you need to be 21 or older and have a valid driver’s license.

How Does Zipcar Work?

If you meet the requirements above, you simply need to pick a membership plan, wait for your license to be verified by Zipcar, and then you can instantly book vehicles within your city.

To start a trip with Zipcar, you log into the app, choose a pickup and dropoff time, and select the type of car you’d like to rent.

Once you find the perfect vehicle for you, you’ll be sent pictures of the pickup location and directions on how to get there.

Once you find the car, you’ll use your Zipcard to tap on the windshield, unlocking it.

The keys will be inside the car, and you can begin your trip!

How Much Does Zipcar Cost?

Hourly rentals typically start at $10 per hour, daily rentals at $76 per day, and monthly rentals between $60 and $90 per month.

The membership fee is $7 per month or $70 per year, and you’ll also pay a one-time application fee of $25.

What We Like About Zipcar

With a Zipcar membership, gas, insurance, parking, and maintenance fees.

So you can be saving up to $600 a month.

It’s also simple to instantly book a car whenever you need it.

So if Uber is your side hustle and you find a couple of free hours in your schedule, you can book a car and get out there quickly.

Zipcar will automatically link the car to your Uber driver account for you once you unlock it with your Zipcard, so it’s very convenient.

What We Don’t Like About Zipcar

If you’re using Zipcar for extended periods, it can get pricey.

Once you go over 180 miles, they’ll start charging you by the mile.

So, if you’re using Zipcar for more than a few hours, it’s not really worth it.

Why Should You Rent a Car to Drive for Uber?

Uber can be an excellent side job, but you might believe it’s impossible if you do not have a car.

But, as you know by now, all hope is not lost.

Many rideshare companies allow you to rent a vehicle to start your Uber driving career.

If you’re already an Uber driver, you may not want to use your personal vehicle to drive strangers around.

What’s more, driving around all day puts you at a higher risk of damaging your vehicle or getting into an accident.

If you only want to drive for Uber once in a while to make a quick buck, then renting a car is an excellent option as well.

Is it Worth it to Lease or Rent a Car to Drive With Uber?

Pros of Leasing or Renting a Car to Drive With Uber

There are various advantages to leasing or renting a vehicle for Uber driving.

To begin with, these companies make it possible to drive for Uber, which is a significant benefit in and of itself.

This is a simple procedure that anyone can participate in.

With the app or website, which will handle all of the challenging details, delivery and pickup are simple.

Cons of Leasing or Renting a Car to Drive With Uber

There may be a few stumbling blocks along the way, most of which are caused by automobile owners.

They might be unresponsive on rare occasions, causing you to lose money.

Additionally, scheduling pick-up and drop-off times may conflict.

Conclusion: Should You Lease or Rent a Car to Drive With Uber?

Overall, renting or leasing a car to drive for Uber is a good investment.

Problems with automobile owners are uncommon, and once you join up, things are usually smooth sailing from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

You Don’t Need a Lease to Drive for Uber

As you can now see, the end of the Xchange leasing program doesn’t mean an end to being able to acquire a car for Uber without auto financing.

You have a growing number of options both through Uber’s partnerships and through third-party companies.

Want to rent a car to drive with Lyft?

We already mentioned a couple options in this guide, but potential Lyft drivers should also check out Lyft Express Drive (the Lyft car rental program).

Trying to decide if you should buy, lease, or rent a car to drive for Uber or Lyft?