Uber Select Guide: (Cars List, Requirements, & Rates) [2020]

Uber has exploded in popularity over the past few years and now there are several options to get around the country and the globe with Uber. You can choose to go the cheaper routes with services like Uber Pool and Uber X or you can make your experience more premium by going with services like Uber Select or Uber Black.

But what exactly is Uber Select and how is it different from Uber X or Uber Black? 

In this comprehensive article, I am going to tell you everything you need to know about Uber Select, including how much more expensive the rates are, the Uber Select cars list, and all of the vehicle requirements. I’ll also compare it to Uber Black, another premium service offered by Uber.

What is Uber Select?

Uber Select is a slightly upgraded version of Uber X which allows you to get transported in more luxurious vehicles with more qualified drivers but for a higher price.

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How to use Uber Select

It is very easy to switch from UberX and use Uber Select to find rides near you. Simply log into your Uber app and proceed like you are going to book an ordinary UberX ride but when you get to the map screen and it comes time to select your ride you simply scroll down to “Premium” and select the Uber Select option.

Note that not all the routes or locations will have Uber Select.

How much more expensive is Uber Select vs UberX?

I did a test booking from my apartment to the airport in Houston which is about 45 minutes to an hour away. Here is what the rates looked like:

• UberX: $43.61
• UberXL: $101.57
• Uber Select: $116.44
• Uber Black: $165.10

So as you can tell the Uber Select ride was almost three times more expensive than UberX. I believe that the price difference can fluctuate depending on the route and the timing of the booking but you typically will be paying significantly more for Uber Select, likely at least 2X the price of UberX.

Uber Select is also more expensive than the new Uber Comfort fare.

Don’t forget that they’ll also be expecting a tip which will add more to the cost (related: To tip or not to tip?).

Is Uber Select worth it?

Whether or not Uber Select will be worth it will just depend on your personal preferences and needs.

Personally, I would rather go with UberX.

While Uber Select does have a nice line up of good vehicles, I rarely have an UberX experience that is seriously lacking in the comfort department. I would hate to pay 2X or 3X the price only to be placed in a vehicle that is marginally better than an Uber X vehicle. 

If you end up having a bad or subpar experience with a vehicle riding Uber Select, you can contact the customer service at Uber and they will probably be willing to credit you something back for your ride. This is especially true if you can call them out on lacking qualifications (e.g., having torn seats, etc.).

Related: How Much Does Uber Charge Per Mile?

What vehicles qualify for Uber Select (2020 car list)?

Only certain types of cars can qualify for Uber Select. I’ll cover all of the qualifications below.

2008 or newer

First, many different types of cars are limited by the year. Some models go all the way back to 2008 but some can require you to have newer models such as those ranging from 2013.

Select models

Also, only select models are available for certain types of makes.

For example, for Ford only the Expedition and Explorer are available for Uber Select. Meanwhile, any type of model of Mercedes-Benz is available. So be sure to check both the make and the model as well as the year to make sure that your car would be eligible for Uber Select.

Additional requirements:

• Leather or vinyl interior with no tears
• Seat at least four passengers in addition to the driver
• No full-sized vans
• No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
• No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
• Be an active UberX or UberXL partner with at least 50 trips
• Maintain at least a 4.75 rating

So drivers need to have a minimum activity of 50 trips and at least a 4.75 rating. That in theory should help filter out some of the bad drivers but I don’t think it is really that difficult to maintain a 4.75 rating after 50 trips (maybe it is, I don’t know).

Still, given those requirements you can probably expect your Select driver to be better on average than a random UberX driver. I do like that they require vehicles to not have tears, but I wonder how that qualification is enforced over time. It also does feel good that the vehicles are not rebuilt or salvaged.

List of Uber Select vehicles:

• Acura – RL(X), TL(X), MDX, RDX (2013 or newer)
• Audi – A4, A6, A7, A8, S4, S6, S7, S8, Q5, Q7 (2008 or newer)
• BMW – 3-series, 4-series, 5-series, 6-series, 7-series, X1, X3, X5, X6 (2008 or newer)
• Buick – Enclave, LaCrosse (2013 or newer)
• Cadillac – ATS, CTS, SRX, XTS (2010 or newer)
• Cadillac – Escalade (2009 or newer)
• Cadillac – DTS, STS (2013 or newer)
• Chevrolet – Suburban, Tahoe (2009 or newer)
• Chrysler – 300 (2012 or newer)
• Ford – Expedition (2009 or newer)
• Ford – Explorer (2011 or newer)
• GMC – Acadia Denali (2013 or newer)
• GMC – Yukon (2009 or newer)
• Hummer – H2, H3 (2008 or newer)
• Hyundai – Equus, Genesis (2010 or newer)
• Infiniti – All models (2010 or newer)
• Jaguar – XF, XJ (2008 or newer)
• Jeep – Grand Cherokee (2013 or newer)
• Kia – K900 (2013 or newer)
• Land Rover – Evoque, Discovery, LR2, LR4, Range Rover (2010 or newer)
• Lexus – IS, ES, GS, LS, RX, GX, LX (2010 or newer)
• Lincoln – MKS, MKX, MKC, MKT, MKZ, Navigator, Town Car (2009 or newer)
• Mercedes-Benz – All models (2008 or newer)
• Nissan – Armada (2010 or newer)
• Porsche – Panamera, Macan, Cayenne (2008 or newer)
• Tesla – S/X (2008 or newer)
• Volkswagen – CC, Touareg (2013 or newer)
• Volvo – XC90 (2014 or newer)

These lists should be good for whatever location you’re traveling whether it be Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, etc. Read more here.

How expensive are Uber Select vehicles?

If you are like me you might be wondering how expensive the Uber Select vehicles are on average. Maybe you want to know how expensive the car is you are going to be riding in or maybe you want to drive an Uber Select vehicle and need to know the price.

I’ve looked up some prices for these vehicles that can give you an idea of how expensive they are. I am pretty sure that the prices below are for base models though so if you are considering being a Select driver then you might want to get a car more equipped so that your passengers have more features. So just keep that in mind.

Acura

• 2019 Acura RDX/MSRP: From $37,400
• 2019 Acura MDX, MSRP: From $44,300

Audi

• 2019 Audi A4/MSRP: From $37,400
• 2019 Audi A6, MSRP: From $58,900
• 2019 Audi S4/MSRP: From $50,200
• 2019 Audi A7/MSRP: From $68,000

BMW

• 2019 BMW 3 Series/MSRP: From $40,250
• 2019 BMW 5 Series/MSRP: From $53,400
• 2019 BMW 7 Series/MSRP: From $83,650
• 2019 BMW X3/MSRP: From $41,000
• 2019 BMW X5/MSRP: From $60,700

Buick

• 2019 Buick Enclave/MSRP: From $40,000
• 2019 Buick LaCrosse/MSRP: From $29,570

Cadillac

• 2019 Cadillac ATS/MSRP: From $38,995
• 2019 Cadillac CTS/MSRP: From $46,995
• 2019 Cadillac XTS/MSRP: From $46,795
• 2019 Cadillac Escalade/MSRP: From $75,195

Chevrolet

• 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe/MSRP: From $48,000
• 2019 Chevrolet Suburban/MSRP: From $50,800

Chrysler

• 2019 Chrysler 300/MSRP: From $29,220

Ford

• 2019 Ford Expedition/MSRP: From $52,130
• 2019 Ford Explorer/MSRP: From $32,365

GMC

• 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali/MSRP: From $54,700
• 2019 GMC Yukon/MSRP: From $49,600

Infiniti

• 2019 INFINITI QX50/MSRP: From $36,550

Jaguar

• 2019 Jaguar XF/MSRP: From $49,965
• 2019 Jaguar XJ/MSRP: From $75,700

Jeep

• 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee/MSRP: From $31,945

Land Rover

• 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque/MSRP: From $41,800
• 2019 Land Rover Discovery/MSRP: From $52,950
• 2019 Land Rover Range Rover/MSRP: From $89,500

Lexus

• 2019 Lexus IS/MSRP: From $38,410
• 2019 Lexus ES/MSRP: From $39,600
• 2019 Lexus GS/MSRP: From $46,710

Nissan

• 2019 Nissan Armada/MSRP: From $47,100

Porsche

• 2019 Porsche Panamera/MSRP: From $86,300
• 2019 Porsche Cayenne/MSRP: From $65,700
• 2019 Porsche Macan/MSRP: From $49,900

Tesla

• 2019 Tesla Model X/MSRP: From $82,000

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Uber Select vs Uber Black

The vehicle list is much shorter for Uber Black.

Also, as you may have guessed, the vehicles must actually be black with black leather interior that is in great condition. Therefore, the experience should be more consistent with Uber Black versus Uber Select and will align more with traditional limo service.

Here is a list of all of the vehicles available for Uber Black:

• Audi – A6, A8, A8L
• BMW – 5-series, 7-series
• Cadillac – CT6, XTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV
• Chevrolet – Tahoe, Suburban
• Ford – Expedition Platinum, Expedition Platinum MAX (model year 2018 and above only)
• Genesis – G90
• GMC – Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali
• Infiniti – QX56, QX80
• Lexus – LS, GS, GX, LX
• Lincoln – Continental, MKT, Navigator
• Maserati – Quattroporte
• Mercedes-Benz – E-Class, S-Class, GL-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class
• Tesla – Model S, Model X
• Volvo – S90, XC90
• *Note – All vehicles must have a black exterior and black leather interior in excellent condition.

As you can tell there is some overlap with the Uber Select list. However, many of these models are more luxurious and more expensive. For example, the 2019 Ford Expedition Max Platinum has an MSRP from $76,060, which is much higher than the standard Expedition.

And it’s not just about the more luxurious vehicles, Uber Black drivers also have to meet the following requirements:

• Keep a star rating of 4.85 or higher
• 5-year-old vehicle or newer
• Commercial insurance
• Limo license
• Black exterior and black leather interior
• Seats for at least 4 riders in addition to the driver

So an Uber Black driver is going to be much more qualified since they have to have a higher rating not to mention the limo license. The higher rating qualification is nice but there are several advantages of having someone with a limo license driving you around.

First, these drivers usually have to perform a test at the DMV. Although it is not necessarily a driving test the fact that they have to go through a written test shows you that they have commitment to their career as a driver and are probably less likely to take the job less seriously since they have more invested.

Also, typically divers have trouble getting those limo licenses if they have a bad driving record, so you can feel like you’re in good hands. And if they are driving to and from the airport they might have to be subject to additional screening such as criminal background checks and fingerprinting. So your odds of dealing with a shady driver go down substantially when using Uber Black.

And finally, if you ever have to deal with the dreaded experience of losing something in an Uber ride, you might have more faith in the Uber Black drivers to return your items. (Read how Uber Lost and Found works here.)

Therefore if you want that true luxury transfer service for yourself or for someone else then Black is likely going to be a better choice than Select. 

Uber Select vs Uber Comfort

Another option to think about is going with the new Uber Comfort.

Uber Comfort offers a more comfortable experience by providing you with vehicles that have extra legroom and by allowing you to select preferences like the preferred temperature in your vehicle and whether or not you would like to engage in any conversation during your ride.

The drivers must have a minimum star rating of 4.85 based on at least 250 trips, and the vehicles will usually be newer and therefore should be nicer.

Here is a complete list of the Uber Comfort vehicles:

• Acura – ILX, MDX, RDX, RLX, TLX, ZDX – all vehicle year 2014 or newer
• Audi – A6, A7, A8, A8L, Q5, Q7, S6, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ7 – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Bentley – Flying Spur – vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• BMW – 5-series, 5-series Gran Turismo, 7-series, ActiveHybrid 5, ActiveHybrid 7, Alpina B7, M5, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6 – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer. X7 – vehicle model year 2015 or newer
• Buick – Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Cadillac – CT6, CTS, DTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, SRX, STS, XTS, XT5, XT6 – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer. XT4 – vehicle model year 2019 or newer
• Chevrolet – Tahoe, Suburban – both vehicle model year 2014 or newer. Equinox, Impala, Trailblazer, Traverse – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Chrysler – 300, Aspen, Town and Country – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer. Pacifica – vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Dodge – Durango – vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Ford – Expedition – vehicle model year 2014 or newer. Edge, Excursion, Explorer, Flex, F-150 – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer. Escape – vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Genesis – G70, G80, G90 – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• GMC – Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali, Suburban – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer. Acadia, Acadia Denali, Envoy, Terrain – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Honda – Pilot, Accord, Accord Hybrid, Accord Clarity – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer. CR-V, Odyssey – both vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Hyundai – Equus, Genesis, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Veracruz, Tucson – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Infiniti – JX, Q60, Q70, QX50, QX56, QX60, QX70, QX80 – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Jaguar – XF, XJ, XJR – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Jeep – Cherokee, Commander, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Kia – Sorento, Borrego – both vehicle model year 2016 or newer. Soul, Telluride – both vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Land Rover – Discovery, LR3, LR4, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Vogue – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Lexus – ES, GS, GX, LS, LX, NX, RX, – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Lincoln – Aviator, Continental, MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX, MKZ, Nautilus, Navigator, Town Car – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Mazda – CX-9, CX-5, MAZDA5 – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Mercedes-Benz – E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, GLA-Class, GLC-Class, GLE-Class, GLK-Class, GLS-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, M-Class, S-Class, Metris – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Mitsubishi – Montero, Outlander, Outlander Sport – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer
• Nissan – Armada, Murano, Pathfinder – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer. Rogue, Quest – both vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Porche – Cayenne – vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Subaru – Ascent, Legacy, Outback – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer. Forrester – vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Tesla – Model S, Model X, Model 3 – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Toyota – 4Runner, Camry, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Sequoia – all vehicle model year 2016 or newer. RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna – all vehicle model year 2017 or newer
• Volkswagen – Atlas, Tiguan, Touareg – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer
• Volvo – S90, XC40, XC60, XC90 – all vehicle model year 2014 or newer

I honestly initially thought that Uber Comfort would be more expensive but when I tested out a quote I found that Uber Comfort was significantly cheaper than Uber Select! For a 30 minute ride from the downtown Houston area to George Bush Intercontinental Airport I got the following quotes:

• Uber Comfort: $32.60
• Uber Select: $61.26

That is a pretty big difference and it is why Uber Select is considered a premium ride service.

Uber Select FAQ

Final word

Uber Select is a way for you to have a more premium experience with Uber. However, this comes at a cost which can mean paying 2 to 3 times more than UberX. Also, while there are some specific qualifications for the drivers they are not as stringent as they are for Uber Black, so you might not be guaranteed a quality experience.

For that reason, I would typically just stick with Uber X unless you need or desire a true luxury experience in which case I’d say to go with Uber Black.

Cover Photo: The NRMA.