The Best Types of Cars for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers in the UK
Is there such a thing as the ‘perfect taxi’? Perhaps the better question should be, what is perfect taxi for you, your own needs and the needs of your business?
Indeed, different taxi and private hire businesses demand different traits depending on where you’re likely to be driving (cities, motorways), the fares you’re most likely to serve (businesspeople, families) and how often you’re on the road (petrol, electric, hybrid).
It can make choosing the right taxi for you quite daunting – but it doesn’t have to be.
Here at The Taxi Centre, we have a wide range of different models that vary in size, powertrain, performance and price to give you the best opportunity to find the taxi or private hire vehicle that works perfectly for you.
To help you decide, we have broken down the types of taxi available to you to ensure you get the most out of your vehicle and your business.
Saloon Taxis
Best Taxis for: Business trips, airport taxis, long-distance taxi drivers
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: Skoda Superb*, BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6
Saloons remain a popular draw for taxi drivers owing to their all-round ability to ensure comfort and quality for drivers and passengers alike.
A major appeal of saloons is in their premium image where the extended length and slick roofline often ensures a lavish first impression for the fare, particularly if they’re being transported for business reasons.
More than that though, these same traits often allude to a comfortable interior space for your passenger to stretch out in, while a refined driving experience and high-quality interior makes for an appealing experience whether you’re behind the wheel or in a rear seat.
Estate Taxis
Best Taxis for: Taxis to carry luggage, travel hub taxis
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, BYD Seal U
Estates will often offer the same positive attributes to that of saloons, albeit with more space for luggage.
Models like the Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb are renowned for offering class-leading boot space without compromising the driving experience, while newer models like the BYD Seal U – with its raised ride height - blur the boundaries between SUV and estate.
Estates are therefore perfect for those looking to travel in comfort and style but need to do so while carrying a lot of luggage, such as from the airport or train station.
Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) Taxis
Best Taxis for: Airport taxis, family taxis, city-based taxis
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: Volkswagen Caddy Maxi, Toyota Proace City Verso,
While Minibus taxis prioritise people-carrying ability, a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) taxi is perfect for a family of four to travel with all their luggage.
Today’s MPVs include smaller models like the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi and Toyota Proace City Verso, which while compact in external dimensions, are designed to maximise space inside.
Derived from van architecture, it makes them ideal multi-functional taxis in that they are cheap to run and easy-to-drive in urban environments while still providing impressive boot space, headroom and payload capacity where necessary.
SUV Taxis
Best Taxis for: All-round taxis to drive in cities, towns and on motorways
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: Hyundai Ioniq 5, MG HS, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Austral
SUVs are all the rage in the motoring industry, so it is perhaps little wonder that an increasing number of taxi choices reflect this.
As such, there are dozens of SUV options, even if most will ultimately never go off-road to make the most of having four-wheel drive. Either way, four-wheel drive (if equipped) does at least add a layer of grippy reassurance in slippery conditions.
Beyond that, SUVs are fantastic all-rounders that are well suited to low-speed urban environments or longer motorway jaunts. Moreover, they are designed to be taller and oversized, which allows for a lofty view of the road and enhanced interior room.
Hatchback Taxis
Best Taxis for: Urban based environments, short-haul distances
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: Skoda Octavia, Kia EV3, Skoda Scala, MG 4
If your taxi business is predominantly urban based, then a family hatchback taxi makes a logical purchase.
While it may lack the size and prestige of a saloon or estate taxi, a hatchback will prove a doddle to drive and park in city-based environments, while providing sufficient room for three in the rear during simple point-to-point journeys.
Moreover, an increasing number of hatchbacks are available with electric power – such as the Kia EV3 and MG 4 – which greatly reduces running costs, provides ample range to cover cities and aren’t subject to clean air zones tariffs.
Minibus Taxis
Best Taxis for: Business trips, airport taxis, long-distance taxi drivers
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: Ford Tourneo Custom, Renault Trafic, Toyota Proace Verso
If your fares are more likely to number five or more people, a minibus taxi is the only way to go.
Often based on van architecture, these models offer seven, eight or even nine seats in total, allowing you to transport larger groups with their luggage easily.
Minibus taxis are popular for multi-person business trips and airport transfers, while they’re often lavishly kitted out to act as pseudo-luxury taxis.
Purpose-Built Taxis
Best Taxis for: City-based fares, unrivalled passenger practicality
Popular Saloon Taxi Models: LEVC TX
LEVC Hackney Carriages are designed first and foremost for a working life as a taxi. It means they have been created with taxi drivers firmly in mind, from the tight turning circle to the five-person carrying ability, to the low running costs.
Plus, driving an LEVC means potentially fares are never likely to mistake your taxi for being anything else.
*Skoda Superb is a hatchback with a saloon profile
Buy A New Taxi at The Taxi Centre
From SUVs to family cars to executive saloons, The Taxi Centre’s used stock will have the right taxi at the right price for you.
At The Taxi Centre, we want to help you find the best new taxi deal possible.
We offer a selection of taxi finance options to help cover the costs of your new taxi in a way that suits your budget. Just one of the many benefits you get when buying a taxi direct from us.
We offer Hire Purchase (HP) on all of our new taxi, as well as Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) for specific models.