Here’s Why the Toyota Prius Is a Great PCO Option 2024

Despite plenty of other hybrids coming into the market, PCO drivers love the Toyota Prius for offering ride-sharing services. Prius was first released in 1997 in Japan, and it still gets the same love from users worldwide. From fuel economy to generous legroom, energy efficiency, and much more— here are all the reasons why the Toyota Prius is one of the most preferred PCO cars in London.

It Revolutionised the Automobile Industry

Toyota didn’t mess around when it named this car “Prius”, which means “to go before” in Latin. They came up with reliable technology that changed the automobile industry 20 years ago. Many hybrid cars have been released since then, but the Prius still reigns over the market.

Although the car initially didn’t have the best performance, its sustainability is what attracted people the most. Toyota redesigned the Prius after a few years, and its sales skyrocketed. It’s still one of the best-selling cars of Toyota.

After Toyota released the Generation 2 Prius, people relied upon this car for all sorts of things. From hauling their furniture to taking long family trips, Prius offered many conveniences without putting a dent in the wallet. This grabbed the attention of many drivers and they started utilising its features for their services.

Green Movement

Many drivers prefer a car that doesn’t have a significant effect on the environment. The Toyota Prius started a green movement in the automobile industry, allowing drivers to reduce their carbon footprint. With the increasing environmental laws in London, UK, most drivers are shifting to hybrid and electric vehicles. The Toyota Prius is eco-friendlier and more efficient than regular cars. It runs on a combination of petrol and electricity.

Fuel Economy

If you drive a petrol-driven car, you may end up spending more on fuel than you earn. Petrol prices are rising everywhere, putting a significant dent in drivers’ wallets. Fuel economy is one of the major reasons why most people buy or rent a Toyota Prius for Uber and other ride-hailing services.

According to the Toyota UK Magazine, the Prius has 52.3 mpg fuel efficiency, whereas the Prius Plug-in Hybrid recorded 49.6 mpg. These figures may seem too good to be true, but the Prius is in fact a highly efficient car. You not only have to spend significantly less on its fuel but also get many practical benefits. The car is always ready to go, and you don’t have to waste your precious time filling up the tank. Running out of fuel in the middle of a ride can cause inconveniences for your passengers and affect your rating.

Not having to worry about fuel as much as you normally do can be a massive benefit for many Uber drivers. This is why you should consider getting the Toyota Prius for yourself.

Offers Extreme Reliability

Ridesharing vehicles and taxis are the most used vehicles worldwide. They run for long hours, under all kinds of conditions, carrying numerous passengers, heavy loads, and whatnot. Ridesharing drivers look for vehicles that can keep up with the daily demands and incur minimal wear and tear.

The Toyota Prius is a highly reliable car that is ideal for the requirements of any ridesharing service. Whether this car is subjected to fast speeds, harsh acceleration and braking, long journeys, and many start/stop engine cycles, it can go hours upon hours, day in and out, without disappointing the drivers or passengers.

Unmatched Durability

Any car can offer reliability during the initial years, but it all comes down to its durability. As a PCO driver, you need a vehicle that ensures optimal performance even after hundreds of miles of usage. A taxi or ride-hailing vehicle can log over 90,000 miles in a year. Therefore, PCO cars need to last long enough to offer you the most benefit.

The Toyota Prius lives up to the expectations in terms of durability. Some Prius cars have lasted over 500,000 miles before demobilising for good. Like any vehicle, this car also faces common issues but drivers can get them repaired quickly and get back on the road, making it extremely durable.

Uber cars require major repairs every now and then, and this can keep the vehicle down for many days (or weeks). While a regular user wouldn’t mind using the bus for a few days, this downtime can negatively impact a PCO driver’s income. For them, as long as a car is running, it is making money.

With the Toyota Prius, drivers have to face relatively less downtime. Its engine and transmission aren’t as demanding as other vehicles, allowing you to enjoy more miles with minimum inconvenience. Moreover, if you’re renting your PCO car with us, you don’t even have to look after its maintenance because we offer free MOT, servicing, tyre change, and much more.

Low Operating Costs

Drivers who want to make a handsome income with ride-sharing services know that the vehicle’s operating cost is the most important factor. You don’t want to spend a significant amount of your income on the maintenance and fuel of your car. That’s why the Toyota Prius is one of the most economical options.

Its low operating costs and profitability are the reasons why the British taxi and ride-hailing industry prefers the Prius. According to an article, around 40% of drivers on Uber were using a Prius in 2015, and this number has gone up since then.

Besides being an eco-friendly vehicle, the Prius is also low maintenance. It reduces your dependence on petroleum products, which ultimately puts less strain on the overall vehicle. As a result, you don’t have to spend as much on its maintenance as you normally would on other vehicles. In addition to less petrol usage, the Prius also requires a minimal amount of other fluids. For example, a second-generation Prius requires 4 quarts of transmission fluid, 3.75 quarts per oil change, and has a small fuel tank. The transmission fluid can last for long distances, allowing you to stay on the road for a long time and increase your income.

Better Handling and AWD

To cater to the market of SUV buyers, Prius introduced its AWD variants in 2019. These cars have an efficient system where the electric motor powers the rear wheels, and the front wheels use the hybrid powertrain. This allows smooth operation and better handling for the drivers.

The Toyota Prius can keep up with the sudden brakes, twists, and turns and the steering offers prompt feedback. Its AWD variants are much more balanced and controlled. No matter which version you end up getting, you’ll feel a significant difference in terms of handling and drive.

Adequate Interior Space for Passengers

Toyota Prius is a pretty spacious car with room for five people along with the hatchback feature. It offers the most generous amount of cargo space than other hybrid cars. Almost everyone can drive or ride in this car comfortably due to its added legroom.

The trunk can easily fit your passengers’ suitcases and heavy bags, which can help you offer services near London airports or train stations. Moreover, the increased interior space also lets you take rides for longer distances and keep your passengers comfortable throughout the journey. For more space needs, consider renting a Toyota Prius Plus.

Safety Features

Keeping your passengers safe and sound should be your utmost priority. The Toyota Prius has many safety features, such as:

Automatic emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control
Pedestrian detection
Automatic high beams
Lane departure steering assist
Blind spot warning
Rear cross-traffic alert
Curve adaptive headlights

The chances of incidents increase during the rainy, snowy, and foggy season in London. These features combined with better handling allow PCO drivers to maintain their passengers safe even during tricky conditions.

Other Features

The Toyota Prius excels in many aspects, making it a versatile PCO car. It has many entertainment and convenience features and accepts Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. These features make your long journeys a lot more pleasant and comfortable.

Although this car got a lot of negative press when it was first released, people soon began to recognise its practicality and sleek design. You may find various attractive hybrids in the market, but they don’t offer the same efficiency and usability for your ridesharing operations.

Get a Well-Maintained and Uber-Ready Prius Now!

Now that it’s established that the Toyota Prius and its other variants are among the ideal vehicles for Uber, Bolt, and other rideshare drivers, it’s time to find one for yourself. Many PCO drivers face the issue of paying its upfront cost when buying this car. Although the Prius is considered more cost-effective than other cars, it could still be expensive for many. But with G&M Direct Hire, you can rent a Toyota Prius and save your money!

At G&M Direct Hire, we offer PCO cars for rent and take care of all the maintenance and servicing. This helps drivers kick-start their careers and earn an income without having to worry about many details. For more convenience, we also help you submit documents to ridesharing apps and offer replacement vehicles during accidents. You can also rent our electric vehicles, such as Kia E-Niro, Mustang Mach E, Volkswagen ID 3, and more. Contact us to rent an Uber-ready car now!