[kaizensteven]

I am just starting out and had my Ford Focus inspected today. Thinking of getting my wife's van inspected as well to qualify for XL. Is there an advantage to doing so?

 

[Tim In Cleveland]

XL pays a little more, but then you're hauling more weight. Passengers will still try and put more riders into your XL than you have seatbelts for and get pissy when you say no. You will still get pinged 15 minutes away only to find it's 6 guys with filthy shoes who want to go to the strip bar 1 mile away and they won't tip you so you get $6 for 40 minutes. On the other hand, XL trips are usually fun.

 

[Durbin_Uber]

I drive X & XL. In my market XL tends to be families going to the airport which tend to be good rides and tips. However the pings for XL are far fewer. When I drive on X I get good feedback by having more room. I also get more tips than other X drivers based on what I have heard from talking with folks. If it's a part time gig I wouldn't go out of my way to buy van to just do XL, but if you do it full time I would say you need that option.

We had the Van before Uber so it was easy for me. Good luck.

 

[Oscarthegrouch]

Another up side to xl is that about half of my rides are one or two pax. Some people just like riding in a bigger vehicle.

 

[Squirming Like A Toad]

I recommend XL. An advantage it has is the larger vehicle is more comfortable for you too, so you can drive longer and happier. You also don't have passengers on top of you or each other. I'd hate to be one of 5 people in a Focus.

A disadvantage is the lower maneuverability. Some of my rides are in remote suburbs in the hills and backing down dark, unfamiliar driveways can be hairy. I got some extra-bright LED backup lights and that helps a little.

 

[kaizensteven]

My biggest fear is that nobody will choose the XL when they can just choose an X and so then I will just be sitting their waiting for a ping.

 

[MrsUberJax]

XL is a good option to have. If your market allows it, some cities are given the option to get XL only requests. That setting is optimal on the weekend. You really have to consider the costs associated with driving, the extra costs associated with a bigger vehicle. I have seen uberx drivers go crazy running 5 or 6 rides in an hour, maybe clearing $25 and an XL driver do 2 or 3 rides in the same time period earning exactly the same amount if not more. It is more downtime, waiting for XL pings, but less miles on their vehicles because they do fewer runs and can sit by and wait for a higher paying gig. I would add the larger capacity vehicle to the platform, why not give yourself the opportunity to earn more. Even if you can not get the XL Only option, you will still get the chance to pick up XL rides while waiting for X pings. It's all about the money.

 

[Dahkei]

My biggest fear is that nobody will choose the XL when they can just choose an X and so then I will just be sitting their waiting for a ping.

Each market is different. I live within 10 min of 2 major Universities. When school is in I stay just as busy on XL as any X driver. XL here surges more than X does too (especially since they changed the format of the X heat map). I only drive late nights on the weekends so that's a major factor. Also with the exception of the students, the majority of my fares from "grown ups" are 1-4 pax that just want more space.
I'd say give it a shot in your market otherwise you will never know. And if you have the option to do XL only then take a chance with that. You will never know if it's better if your time is being occupied with X fares.