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Inedite Survey Shows That Most Rideshare Drivers Prefer Popular Categories, Even With Lower Fares, To Maintain Workflow, Reduce Idle Time And Ensure Earning Predictability
Forget the idea that every rideshare driver dreams of migrating to luxury categories. In practice, the reality is quite different. An inedite study revealed that the overwhelming majority of professionals prioritize popular categories like Uber X and 99 Pop, leaving premium options like Uber Black and Uber Black SUV aside. The decision, far from being emotional, is strategic and based on numbers, costs, and financial stability.
The information was published by the portal Garagem 360, in partnership with Jangada Consultoria, according to a survey published in December 2025. According to the data, the behavior of drivers reflects a clear search for ride volume, quick cash flow, and shorter wait time, factors considered more relevant than the individual value of a luxury ride.
Drivers Avoid Uber Black and Bet On Uber X Volume
According to the research, 82% of Uber drivers focus their activities on Uber X, the most accessible category of the platform. The reason is simple: while Uber Black offers higher fares, it also imposes long waiting periods between rides, which reduces income predictability throughout the day.
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Additionally, many professionals report that being stationary waiting for a premium ride can compromise daily earnings. Thus, instead of waiting up to an hour for a single high-value trip, most prefer to complete several consecutive rides on Uber X, even with a lower average ticket.
The detailed numbers from the survey reinforce this behavior:
- Uber X: 82% of drivers
- Uber Comfort: 41.2% (many alternate between Comfort and X)
- Uber Black: only 9%
- Uber Black SUV: only 2.7%
These data make it clear that premium categories represent a restricted niche, not very appealing for those who depend on the app as their primary source of income. Hence, Uber Black ends up being seen as a complementary option, rather than the main focus of operation.
In 99 Pop, the Scenario is Similar and Luxury Almost Doesn’t Appear
When the focus shifts to the competitor 99, the scenario is nearly identical. According to the study, 58.6% of drivers operate in 99 Pop, the basic category of the platform. The taxi methods and luxury categories combined represent less than 2% of active drivers.
This demonstrates that the behavior is not linked only to Uber but rather to a broader logic of the rideshare sector. In a high-cost environment, expensive fuel, and constant maintenance, drivers prioritize high demand and consistency, even if it means accepting rides with lower values.
Consequently, premium categories become restricted to a very specific group of drivers, generally those who use the app as a supplementary income or have suitable vehicles without significant impact on operational costs.
Personal Cars Still Dominate and Increase Driver Risk
Another important point revealed by the research refers to the type of vehicle used. The study points out that 88.7% of drivers use their own cars to work on the apps. This data dismantles the myth that most operate with rented vehicles.
In practice, this means that all financial risk falls on the driver. Costs such as maintenance, insurance, vehicle tax, fuel, and accelerated depreciation are part of the daily routine of these professionals. Thus, opting for high-volume categories becomes a way to dilute these costs and keep the business running.
Furthermore, vehicles required for categories like Uber Black demand a high standard, which further increases expenses. For this reason, many drivers conclude that the return does not justify the investment, reinforcing the preference for Uber X.
And What About Motorcycles? Presence Smaller Than It Seems
Despite the perception that motorcycles are everywhere, the research shows that they still represent a small slice of passenger transport through apps. Only 5.5% of respondents use motorcycles for this purpose.
On inDrive, for example, the participation of motorcycles is even smaller, reaching only 0.8%. This indicates that, although visible in traffic, motorcycles are not yet the protagonists when it comes to passenger transport via apps, remaining more relevant in the delivery segment.
According to Luiz Gustavo Neves, CEO of GigU, the study acts as a true X-ray of the sector. “Most drivers prioritize high-demand categories in search of income stability, balancing cost, safety, and opportunity,” he stated.
In light of this scenario, the reflection remains: is it better to complete 10 consecutive rides on Uber X or wait an hour for a single ride on Uber Black? The answer, for most drivers, is already clear in the numbers.
And you, when calling for a rideshare, do you usually opt for Uber X, Comfort, or do you prefer to pay more for Uber Black? What weighs the most in your decision?
O correto e saber os horariose os locais da cidade, tipo horários de demanda maior fico só no confort. Se caio em alguma vila que é mais popular, passo X
Pesquisa encomendada! A maioria está deixando Uber black e confort, devido a dois fatores: 1° Altíssimo custo dos veículos, para ser incluído nessas categorias e 2° A redução dos valores KM/Hora ficando bem próximo ao do Uber X ou 99 Pop. Além do desvio de valores realizado pela Uber ao dar desconto, descontando do motorista.
Uber X com certeza, vai ao mesmo lugar com menor valor, e a maioria dos carros são bons. Não precisa luxo