Nothing says you have made it as a city like a $250,000 taxi cab. Forget the biggest skyscraper in the world, or some fancy Ferris wheel. Pshah! When your citizens can hail a quarter-of-a-million-dollar-taxi-cab, that’s luxury.
A quick look at the automobiles used as taxis in various parts of the world is a good demonstration of the fact that one man’s luxury is another man’s necessity. Most people are familiar with the yellow New York taxi-cab and the London Cab, but it is interesting to see the trends in other parts of the world. Also, it is fair to say that there are other cities in the world that value the comfort of the taxi passenger a little more highly than others. Starting with the basics, we will look at the most luxurious Taxi cabs around the world.
Mexico City
Until recently, the standard taxi in Mexico City was the VW Beetle. ‘nuff said.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong uses the Toyota comfort as a taxi. Durable, functional and powered with an LPG engine. Boring.
Tokyo
Tokyo seems to be coming to the realization that a better quality automobile is needed for a Taxi, and after years of using the Toyota Comfort is now moving towards the Toyota Crown. Far more luxurious.
New York
The ubiquitous New York Taxi cab. Figures differ, but there are somewhere around 13,000 of these in and around New York City. Luxury hardly comes into the equation, and these are functional rather than luxurious.
London
The use of Hackney Carriages goes back to the days of Oliver Cromwell, and once again, functionality rather than luxury is the order of the day.
Western Europe
It often comes as a surprise to American visitors to Western Europe, that many of the Taxis are Mercedes and Audis. Unfortunately, these are often bare-bones, specifically built to be used as a taxi. Whilst more comfortable than their UK and US counterparts, they still don’t manage to be luxurious.
So, where is this leading? Luxury Taxis? Where exactly are they?
Moscow
Porsche Cayenne and Maybach. Now we’re talking. The new Russia is all about “flaunt it if you’ve got it.” Look out London and New York, there’s a new Capital City in town. These photos were shot recently on the streets of Moscow and prove Moscow has what it takes. Bling, I believe they call it 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Ok, the maybach is the $250k taxi ride…how many passengers does it get per week.
I have no idea, but it wouldn’t surprise me to discover that this is just one entrepreneur’s one-up-manship proving his taxi company can afford a better taxi than another’s.
It doesn’t cost 250k to ride in it, it costs $250 to but the car and make it a taxi.
Mexico’s reported taxis are incorrect.. This is an old picture.. I was there not to long ago and they use mostly Ford Focus and Nissan sentra…. people always trying to give mexico a bad name.. damn you… Please report accurately..
Ford Focus? Sounds like a step backwards to me.
i agree!! why does people always try to put México as a bad country!! i’ve seeing luxury suburbans as taxis, cadillacs and mercedez.. maybe not a porsche but they still have luxury taxis. and who are you Mark Knowles to have the right to make fun of the ford focus.
Great content! We are in taxi service for year but, didn’t know so much about taxis around the world. Learned some new today. Thanks to you!
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