Uber is just about everywhere now, and you may already know that you can use the Uber app to request an on-demand ride. But you may not know that there several Uber services to chose from, each with a different rider capacity, a different cost, and a different purpose.
The most common Uber services you will see in your city are typically UberX, XL, Select, POOL, and Black. This article explains what each service is, how much they cost, and how to choose the right service for the right situation.
The differences between UberX, XL, POOL, Comfort, Select, and Black
- UberX seats 4 passengers. UberX cars are typically sedans such as Toyota Prius, Honda Accord.
- UberXL seats 6 passengers in an SUV and minivan. XL costs more than UberX
- UberPOOL and Express POOL are a shared ride with another Uber user heading in a similar direction as you.
- Uber Comfort seats 4 in a larger vehicle with more legroom
- UberSelect is Uber’s entry-level luxury service that seats up to 4 passengers. Select cars are typically BMW,
Mercededs , Audi, etc. - UberBLACK and UberSUV is Uber’s luxury service. Commercially registered and insured livery vehicles, typically a black SUV or luxury sedan. Black is the most expensive Uber service
How to select between Uber ride types
To select the Uber service you want to use, you’ll first have to enter your destination. After you enter your destination, a list of ride options will appear on the bottom of the screen. Scroll through the ride types to see the services available in your area. Change your ride type by tapping the name of a different service.
After you tap a different ride type, the button at the bottom of the screen will change to “Request *name of service*” So if your button says “Confirm UberXL,” you can be sure that you’re getting an XL.
Not all services listed on this page are available in every city. Some cities only offer UberX, and other cities like Los Angeles offer ten different services.
How much does Uber cost?
Whether you decide to use Uberx, XL, Select, Black, SUV, or Lux, you can find out how much your ride will cost before you request it. Uber will automatically show you how much the cost of your ride will be when you enter your pickup location and destination.
The cost of an Uber ride is determined by the ride type, the distance, the time, market demand, and other fees such as tolls or airport surcharges. The cost does not depend on the number of passengers. If you have more than one passenger, the cost does not increase. If you do ride with more than one passenger, you can choose to equally split the cost of the ride with them. There is a 25 cent fee for each rider who splits the ride.
What are the cost differences between the Uber services?
The cost of your Uber ride is largely determined by the Uber service that you select. The costs of the different services, from least expensive to most expensive: Uber Pool, UberX, UberXL, UberSelect, UberBlack, UberSUV.
More information about the different Uber ride types
The Uber app doesn’t clearly explain what each Uber service is, so I’ve included more detailed descriptions of each service in the section below.
UberX seats 4 passengers
UberX is the standard Uber service that seats up to 4 passengers. Of all the Uber ride types, only UberPOOL is cheaper. In most cities, UberX cars must be model year 2006 or newer and pass a vehicle inspection that looks at basic safety features like brakes, tires, and overall condition. UberX cars are typically economic sedans like Honda Accord, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Mazda3, Ford Escape, Ford Escort, etc. UberX drivers drive “regular” cars that typically aren’t luxury sedans or SUVs.
UberX drivers are not professional livery drivers and a commercial license is not required, although some UberX drivers might have one. UberX drivers must be 21 or older and are required to pass a driving record check and a background check.
You can check Uber.com or inside the app to see the fare prices in your area. UberX is much cheaper than cab fare, and typically is cheaper than Lyft, Uber’s largest competitor.
UberPOOL and Express Pool are the cheapest Ubers. Share your ride with a stranger and split the cost
UberPOOL is the cheapest Uber service. Pool pairs you with another Uber user who is headed in a similar direction as you. It typically costs less than UberX. Your driver may pick you up first, or they may pick up your companion first. The same goes for drop-offs: The Uber app will tell your POOL driver to drop off passengers according to the most efficient route. A great, cheap option as long as you don’t mind sharing your ride with a stranger.
Express POOL is similar to UberPOOL, but instead of getting picked up directly at your location, you have to walk to a nearby pickup location. At the end of the ride, you are dropped off at a drop-off location close to your final destination. Express POOL is cheaper than regular POOL.
UberXL seats 6 passengers in an SUV or minivan
UberXL seats larger groups of 6 passengers in an SUV or minivan. The cost of UberXL is higher than UberX, but when it ends up being very low cost if you split the cost with your group. it UberXL vehicles are minivans and SUV’s like Honda Pilot, Dodge Caravan, GMC Acadia, etc. Uber XL is the right option for a large group of people who want the most affordable ride for 5 or more passengers.
Uber Comfort seats 4 passengers in a larger vehicle with more legroom
Uber Comfort vehicles have more headroom and legroom than the standard UberX vehicle. Comfort is a good choice when you need more room for yourself and your luggage, but you don’t need a full XL minivan or SUV. Full-size sedans and SUVs qualify for Uber Comfort, and some markets also require Comfort vehicles to be newer models.
UberSelect is a luxury ride for 4 passengers
UberSelect is a higher-end service that seats 4 passengers in a luxury sedan. Select drivers only drive newer luxury cars like Mercedes Benz, BMW, or Audi. Uber Select costs more than UberX and XL. It’s a good option when you want a nicer car, but you don’t want to pay for the top-end Uber Black service. Select is not available in all markets, so check your Uber passenger app to see if you can request a Select in your area.
Uber Black and SUV are luxury vehicles with professional drivers
Uber Black is a high-end, professional livery service that only accepts late-model luxury SUVs and drivers with commercial registration. In some markets, there are two levels within the Black Car service: Uber Black is a luxury sedan that seats four, and if available, Uber SUV is a luxury SUV that seats 5 or more. The vehicle standards and driver standards are much higher for Uber Black: Your Black Car driver will have commercial registration, commercial insurance, and their vehicle will be late-model, high-end luxury sedan or SUV that has a leather interior.
Uber Black and SUV are the most expensive Uber services. It caters to business people and Uber users who are willing to spend a little extra for a more professional experience.
