21 October 2026
Stuck between an SUV and a MAXI TAXI? Picking the right ride comes down to your group size and your luggage. An SUV seats up to six passengers and suits a small group wanting more room than a sedan, while a MAXI TAXI seats up to 10 for larger groups, so you don’t have to split across two cabs.
With over 10,000 vehicles nationwide and more than 60% of them hybrid, we have both options available, so here’s how they stack up to help you book the right taxi every time.
Your group size and your bags decide which cab you need
We’ve all been there. Someone in your group asks how many cabs to book, and nobody’s quite sure. One simple habit takes the guesswork out of group travel: look at your passengers and your luggage, then pick a cab size that fits whichever number is higher.
This applies even more to family trips. Choose a cab based on what you’ll bring home rather than what you leave with, since you almost always return with extra bags. Here’s how that rule plays out on real trips:
- Three colleagues with small cabin bags can happily stick with a sedan.
- Five friends heading out for the night in Melbourne will fit comfortably in an SUV.
- A family of four coming home with full suitcases will need the bigger boot of an SUV.
- A group of eight heading to a Sydney event should book a MAXI TAXI so everyone can ride together.
SUV and MAXI TAXI passenger capacity compared
An SUV carries up to six passengers, while a MAXI TAXI gives you space for up to 10. The difference in passenger capacity is clear.
That jump in vehicle size matters more than you’d think for group transport. An SUV makes the most of every seat, but stepping up to a MAXI TAXI gives you spare seats, plenty of legroom and freedom to spread out on longer trips.
Still not sure which ride suits your plans? You can easily compare our range of taxi services to find the right fit for your group before you book.
Do you need a bigger cab just for your luggage?
Yes, you often do need a bigger cab for your luggage. Room for bags shrinks as you add passengers, because putting up that back row cuts right into the luggage space, so a full six-seater SUV leaves very little room for your gear.
Airport runs are where people get caught out most. Travellers often book by seats alone, only to find their suitcases take over the boot.
That’s why checking your luggage capacity before you book makes life so much easier. If you’re heading away with lots of luggage, booking a 10-seater MAXI TAXI for up to six passengers leaves plenty of room for all your bags.
Awkward gear creates the same squeeze even with smaller groups. Here are a few common items that quickly take up extra boot space:
- Prams
- Sports gear
- Musical instruments
- Oversized bags
Travelling with a pram and little ones in tow? As a handy heads-up, our Baby Seat Taxi in New South Wales isn’t available on the App or website. You’ll need to call 13 2227 to request one instead so your Driver arrives with a fitted baby seat ready to go.
Can you book an SUV for a wheelchair accessible trip?
No, you can’t book an SUV for wheelchair access. An SUV might look spacious, but only MAXI TAXIs have the modifications needed for accessible travel. So when you book, simply select a MAXI TAXI as your vehicle type, and we’ll dispatch the right cab for you.
Our Wheelchair Accessible Taxis come with a ramp or a hydraulic lift, plus secure anchor points to keep your wheelchair locked safely in place. Trained Drivers are on hand to help you board and get settled, so you can relax the whole way.
If you use a mobility scooter, you’ll need to move into a passenger seat for the ride. Scooters can’t be safely sat in while travelling, so your Driver will load and secure your scooter while you ride in comfort.
If your NDIS plan includes transport funding, you can use it to cover your rides. 13cabs has been a registered provider for more than 20 years, so booking reliable NDIS taxi transport through your plan is easy.
How much does a MAXI TAXI cost compared with an SUV?
You’ll pay slightly more for a MAXI TAXI than an SUV, because the MAXI TAXI fee can apply to cabs with five or more passenger seats. But split that fare across a group, and it often works out cheaper per person than booking two cabs.
Because state governments set taxi rates, charges differ across Australia. Your metered fare depends on distance and travel time, though checking a Fare Estimate before you book gives you a handy guide to the cost. Our Fare Estimate is based on your pickup and drop-off, and the final metered fare can still vary with traffic and the route taken.
Prefer price certainty before you head off? Booking a Fixed Fare Taxi locks in your fare upfront where available. Just enter your pickup and destination in the App, then select Fixed Price and pay by card. We never apply Fixed Price automatically, so you’ll need to choose it yourself before your trip.
Best of all, 13cabs doesn’t apply surge pricing to App or website bookings, so demand will not push up your fare. Rideshare apps multiply fares at busy times, but we don’t.
Booking your SUV or MAXI TAXI with 13cabs
Once you’ve picked your cab, booking takes just seconds. Here are three simple ways to lock in your ride:
- Download the 13cabs App for real-time tracking and MyDriver, which lets you save a favourite Driver and request them again.
- Book a taxi online through our website.
- Call 13 2227 anytime, with our team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Pre-booked airport transfers are ideal for early morning flights, letting you lock in a ride up to seven days in advance. Paying is just as straightforward, with flexible options across cash, credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal or Cabcharge.
New to our taxi service? You can ride with complete peace of mind knowing every Driver is police-checked, uniformed and professionally trained. For group travel, choosing a single cab is also the best rideshare alternative, because keeping everyone together easily beats paying for two separate cars.
Just keep in mind that SUVs aren’t available in every location, so it pays to confirm availability in your area before you lock in your choice. Book a little ahead, and your group’s ride is sorted, ready whenever you are.
