If you want to drive for a delivery company like DoorDash or Instacart but aren’t sure what type of vehicle you need, we have compiled a list of the best cars for delivery drivers just for you.
Basically, the sky’s the limit for what vehicle you can use for delivery. However, there are some top options depending on your market, personal preference, and overall efficiency.
In some cases, you can deliver by bike, scooter, or even on foot, so you don’t have to spend extra money on a vehicle if that’s not within your means.
It also helps reduce the hassle if you live in a downtown area where parking is limited, costs money, or is non-existent.
If you’re in a more sprawling area that means you’ll be driving several miles, you might want to consider a car, and you’ll probably want something efficient.
10 Best Vehicles for Delivery Drivers
Here are the best cars for delivery drivers to maximize earnings:
- Toyota Prius
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Volkswagen Golf (Diesel)
- Jetta Sportwagen (Diesel)
- Ford Fiesta
- Ford Focus
- Light Duty Trucks
- Cargo Vans
1. Toyota Prius
If you’re looking for affordable, reliable, and good gas mileage, look no further than a used Toyota Prius. I was able to find a used Toyota Prius for under $12,000 on Carfax.com.
The 2013 Toyota Prius is rated at 51 city / 48 highway mpg. For an older car, that’s pretty amazing! And Toyota vehicles are known to last, but you can also look for ones with lower mileage already on them, but expect the price to go up a notch.
Managing Editor Melissa Berry drives a 2008 Prius, still going strong after more than 150,000 miles on it. She’s had to replace the battery twice but overall, the value far outweighs the expenses, in her opinion:
“My car is reliable and has needed very few ‘expensive’ services, outside of the battery. It saves me a ton of money on gas and is light, so it’s not hard on the brakes. I would never get rid of it!”
2. Honda Accord
Another car I would recommend is the Honda Accord. I LOVED my Accord when I had it. It was a later model but it was spacious as well as reliable.
Also on Carfax.com, I found a 2014 Honda Accord for $15,995 with under 100,000 miles on it.
The 2014 Honda Accord is rated at up to 27 city / 36 highway mpg.
3. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
To save money on gas, we also recommend looking into hybrids such as the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and Honda Accord Hybrid (2014 or newer).
On the low end, we found a Sonata hybrid for around $14,000 – $15,000 on CarMax. You can expect to get around 36 city / 40 highway mpg on a 2014 model.
4. Chevrolet Bolt EV
If you make the switch to all-electric, you’ll eliminate the miles per gallon concern, but you’ll need to keep an eye on how many miles you get per charge.
I was able to find a 2017 Chevy Bolt EV for $16,500 on CarGurus.
The range is estimated at about 238 miles between charges. If you’re delivering in your neighborhood, chances are you’d never run out of a charge before the end of the day, then you can plug in overnight and be ready to go the next day.
5. Volkswagen Golf
Looking for a car that provides the perfect blend of style, performance, and practicality? Look no further than the Volkswagen Golf.
The Volkswagen Golf offers a range of benefits that make it a top choice for drivers.
One of the standout features of the Volkswagen Golf is its fuel efficiency. With impressive gas mileage, the Golf helps you save money on gas without sacrificing performance or style. And with plenty of room for passengers and cargo, it’s a great choice for delivery drivers.
6. Jetta Sportwagen
The Jetta Sportwagen is a great car for those who crave a balance of performance, versatility, and style.
The turbocharged engine delivers a thrilling ride while still maintaining excellent fuel economy, making it ideal for both city and highway driving.
The Jetta Sportwagen offers ample storage space with fold-flat rear seats, providing the flexibility to carry large items with ease making it a great option for delivery drivers.
7. Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a compact car designed to bring you convenience, style, and safety on the road.
One of the biggest benefits of the Fiesta is its fuel efficiency, which makes it the ideal car for delivery drivers who wants to save money on gas.
In addition to its fuel efficiency, the Fiesta also comes equipped with advanced safety features that ensure your protection on the road. From its multiple airbags to its electronic stability control system, the Fiesta has everything you need to stay safe and secure behind the wheel.
8. Ford Focus
Looking for a car that is both efficient and practical? Look no further than the 2014 Ford Focus. With its sleek design and impressive fuel economy, the Ford Focus is the perfect car for delivery drivers.
One of the standout features of the 2014 Ford Focus is its fuel economy. With up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway, this car is perfect for long trips and daily commutes alike. And with a range of up to 400 miles on a single tank of gas, you won’t have to worry about constantly stopping for gas.
9. Light Duty Trucks
Looking for a reliable and efficient way to be a delivery driver? You could utilize a light-duty truck, such as a Honda Ridgeline, or Toyota Tacoma.
Light-duty trucks are also built to last. With durable construction and high-quality components, you can count on these vehicles to provide years of reliable service. And with their low-maintenance design, you can save time and money on repairs and upkeep.
So if you’re looking for a dependable and efficient way to transport goods and like the look and feel of a truck better than a car, a light-duty truck could be just for you.
10. Cargo Vans
Cargo vans provide ample space for your deliveries. With their large cargo area, you can transport more items in a single trip, saving you time and money. Plus, the open layout of the cargo area allows for easy loading and unloading, so you can get in and out quickly.
Cargo vans also offer a level of security that other vehicles simply can’t match. With solid walls and lockable doors, you can rest assured that your deliveries are safe and secure while you’re on the road. This added peace of mind can help reduce stress and increase productivity.
The Ford Transit is a popular choice for delivery drivers due to its impressive cargo space and easy handling. It also offers a range of advanced safety features, making it a reliable and safe option for daily driving.
The Mercedes-Benz Metris offers a range of cargo space options and excellent fuel efficiency, making it a versatile choice for delivery drivers. It also features a comfortable interior and advanced safety features, making it a reliable and safe option for daily driving.
Delivery Car Requirements
In most cases, delivery companies have little to no car requirements. This is great if you would prefer to bike, walk, deliver via electric scooter, or have a two-seater vehicle. Here are specifics for delivery car requirements:
DoorDash does not have any vehicle requirements; you can even use a bike, scooter, or motorcycle instead of a car.
Instacart just requires that you have access to a vehicle. Since delivering for Instacart typically means you’ll be toting groceries, it makes sense that a vehicle is required as opposed to a motorcycle or bicycle.
For Amazon Flex, they state:
“If you are delivering Prime Now orders, you can use any car that can safely and reliably transport Amazon orders to customers. If you are delivering Amazon orders, you’ll need to use a 4-door, mid-sized sedan or larger vehicle, such as a truck with a covered bed, SUV, or a van. Small 2 door cars, and also trucks with open beds do not qualify because they may not be big enough to fit all the packages assigned for delivery.”
Keep all of these requirements in mind when picking the right vehicle for delivery. If you’re planning on doing mostly Amazon Flex and/or Instacart, you’ll need a car of some sort as opposed to walking or biking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Prius the best car for DoorDash?
Overall, a Prius is a great option for rideshare drivers in general, whether it’s for passengers or deliveries. Here’s why: A Toyota Prius is a fairly affordable car (starting as low as $24,525) whether you’re looking at buying new or used (I would recommend used), and they are known for having decent mileage.
The 2020 Toyota Prius boasts up to 58 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. For any kind of delivery services, you’ll be saving on gas with this kind of mileage.
Plus, it’s a hybrid, meaning it uses a combination of gasoline and electricity to power the motor.
What is the best car for Doordash?
See above, but also consider any hybrid or electric vehicle options that are affordable. The lower your mileage and monthly cost of the vehicle, the better.
I own a minivan, which I would never use for delivery unless I had no other choice. It’s a bit of a gas guzzler and barely makes rideshare driving worthwhile unless I mostly pick up XL rides, and even then, not the greatest.
What is the best car for rideshare?
Check out our list of the best cars for rideshare drivers to find the best vehicle for your needs.
What’s the best SUV for delivery?
Be careful when it comes to SUVs, and pay serious attention to mileage. SUVs aren’t always known for having great mileage, but there are some that are better than you think. For example, the Toyota Rav4 gets an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway.
A newer Jeep Cherokee also features 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. These both would make great options for working for Amazon Plex or Instacart where you’ll be packing more into your vehicle than just a bag or two of restaurant food.
Are there car rental options for delivery drivers?
Yes, I would recommend HyreCar. Keep in mind, you’ll want to know your earnings average upfront before considering your rental options. You’ll want to make sure you can cover the cost of renting the car as well as earn enough money for whatever you’re wanting to use it for.
Another thing to keep in mind is if renting is a cheaper option for you than buying outright or financing your own vehicle.
How old can your car be to drive for delivery?
This depends on which company you’re driving for. Most don’t have set vehicle requirements, as long as it’s reliable and gets your delivery where it needs to go. It’s not the same as driving passengers where they might have certain expectations on cleanliness and newness. Though, please keep your vehicle clean, especially when dealing with food delivery.
What are Grubhub’s car requirements?
If you’re using a car for GrubHub, they require that you have auto insurance and a valid driver’s license. Other than that, you do not have anything holding you back from delivering with whatever vehicle you want.
Does DoorDash provide auto insurance?
DoorDash provides a $1 million contingent liability policy “when you are in possession of goods to be delivered,” meaning only from restaurant to delivery, not driving TO a restaurant. It can only be used after you’ve exhausted the coverage from your personal policy and only applies to damages and injuries drivers cause to other parties while on an active delivery. There is no collision coverage at any point.
What kind of car do you need for Uber Eats?
To deliver with Uber Eats, you must meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have a 2-door or 4-door car that is 20 years old or newer, have a valid driver’s license, registration, and vehicle insurance, and have at least one year of driving experience.
You can also use a scooter if you’re at least 19 years old, have a motorized scooter under 50cc that is 20 years old or newer, have a valid driver’s license, registration and vehicle insurance, and choose to Deliver with a Scooter under transportation method.
Uber Eats also gives you the choice of using a bike. For that, you must be at least 18 years old, have a government-issued ID and when signing up, choose Deliver with a Bike under transportation method.
