If you are looking for a car that could save you money on fuel and maintenance costs, you might be interested in buying an economically friendly car. Economically friendly cars are vehicles that have low running costs and high fuel efficiency. They can be powered by petrol, diesel, hybrid, or electric engines. Whether you are looking for your next private hire vehicle or just looking to get started, there are countless options to consider. With so many cars available on the market, how can you know which are best suited to private hire taxi drivers?
At Acorn Insurance, we have been providing specialist insurance to private hire taxi drivers like you for over 40 years. We understand the importance of having the right vehicle for your work, so we put together this guide to the top 5 cars for private hire taxi drivers in different categories, so no matter what you are looking for there is something here for you.
The five categories we’ll cover in this blog are:
- Top Petrol/Diesel
- Top Estate
- Top MPV
- Top Hybrid
- Top Electric
Top Petrol/Diesel – Skoda Octavia
Not all private hire taxi drivers are looking to move to hybrid or electric vehicles yet, and there are still many viable petrol/diesel options available. For affordability, reliability, and comfort the Skoda Octavia ranks top in its class. A spacious yet compact workhorse will be a great upgrade if you are struggling with efficiency in your current vehicle.
With most models from 2016 onward being Euro 6 compliant, you are in good hands. Even the strictest of emission zones will not be moving to Euro 7 till July 2025, giving you a couple of years to decide on your next move. Maybe you will love it enough to upgrade straight to the Octavia plug-in hybrid when the time comes!
Top Estate – Skoda Superb
For those looking for a little extra room why not go for the Octavia’s bigger brother, The Skoda Superb. Skoda makes our top 5 list twice; they are great private hire taxi machines at an affordable price. The Superb also comes with a variety of engine options, so whether you are looking for a new petrol model, or looking to move to a plug-in hybrid, this could be the right car for you. The Superb is a roomier option- boasting spacious legroom, your passengers will be travelling in luxury whilst you blissfully enjoy the fantastic MPG range.
Top MPV – Volkswagen Touran
With services like UBER-XL the popularity of bigger capacity vehicles has soared. Driving a larger vehicle means you can compete for those XL jobs. However, if XL jobs are not available, a larger vehicle can mean you are stuck with a bulky vehicle with excess weight and fuel costs. This is where the Volkswagen Touran shines.
The design of the Touran is compact compared to its rivals, making for smooth and intuitive handling. Despite the compact design, the Touran does not compromise on interior space. Boasting a comfortable cabin and spacious second row, it also has a fully customisable third row and boot space. The third-row seats fold flat, creating a level-floored boot space that outshines its rivals. Additionally, it is competitive with others in its class on fuel economy, with an average MPG in the low 40s.
No wonder it was voted What Car? 2022 Winner for MPVs!
Top Hybrid- Prius
Prius is a Latin word meaning “first”, “original”, “superior” or “to go before” and as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius certainly is that.
If you are looking for a well-respected no-fuss option, the Prius may be right for you. With great fuel economy and the efficiency of a hybrid, plus a low centre of gravity and smooth handling, it is no wonder the Toyota Prius is now synonymous with private hire taxi drivers all over the world. Additionally, you can pick up cheaper Prius that are imported from Japan. Acorn are here to help with your insurance needs. You can get a quote online today!
Top Electric – MG MG5
Are you ready to go electric? The government has pledged to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and ensure all new cars and vans are zero-emissions at the tailpipe by 2035. Therefore, you may be considering getting ahead of the curb and going fully electric with your next investment. However, with so many choices out there and many of them at staggering prices, it can be hard to know which car is right for you. An emerging choice for private hire taxi drivers is The MG MG5. Boasting estate sizes, ample boot space, and up to a range of 250 miles, the MG5 is a great economical option for anyone looking to go fully electric.
Packed with smart safety and user features, like the MG iSMART app that allows you to control many functions including charging, checking your vehicle status, finding your nearest charging point, as well as pre-starting the climate control to cool or heat your MG5 EV Long Range, you really will feel like you are driving into the future.
Ready to drive off into the sunset? Do not forget your insurance!
At Acorn Insurance, we have over 40 years of experience insuring private hire taxi drivers like you. As a specialist taxi insurance provider, we offer a range of insurance policies tailored to you. Our team of highly experienced insurance agents is on hand to help you to find an insurance policy that is right for you. To learn more about what we offer and how we can help you, simply fill in an online quote form now!
*All figures correct at time of writing 19/05/23
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