Uber declined to provide an average age for
its drivers’ cars, and said age requirements for
vehicles vary by city.
Uber’s smaller rival Lyft offers “Lyft Lux” rides,
which are in high-end sedans or SUVs with
leather seats and more legroom. Lux cars are
driven by drivers with a 4.85-star rating or
above, and cost more than a standard Lyft ride
or the company’s less-expensive Shared ride.
But riders do not have the option of requesting
a quiet, conversation-free ride.
Uber already has some premium products
that cost more than the basic Uber X. For
example, Uber Black includes high-end cars
driven by professional drivers and offers a
“quiet mode.” Families or groups of six can
choose Uber XL to get a van or SUV. Uber
Select connects riders with highly rated
drivers. On the other end of the spectrum,
Uber Pool is the cheapest option, but riders
have to share the car with passengers going
to other destinations.
Uber says its Uber Black product will generally
cost more than Uber Comfort, but specific
pricing will vary by city.
Drivers who qualify for can make about 20%
more on an Uber Comfort ride than Uber X
ride, said Uber spokesman Steve Imm. But
some drivers earned less during an Uber
Comfort pilot, because their cars qualified for
the pricier Uber Select or Uber XL options,
and they couldn’t easily opt out of the Uber
Comfort option, Campbell said. Drivers will
now be able to opt out of Uber Comfort using
the app, Imm said.