The concept of hiring a ride to get somewhere has changed dramatically since the rise of ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. For countless people, a ride to anywhere is just minutes away. For how awesome these drivers are, it’s frankly insane what taxi drivers have to go through. That NYC taxi driver knows the city better than Google Maps does and the knowledge a London cabbie has is mind-boggling.
This morning, Mark wrote a Shitbox Showdown between a 1966 Austin FX4 and a 1985 CMC Gazelle. In the article, Mark noted how London cab drivers don’t just have to know how to drive, but they have to be living GPS units. Take it from Transport For London:
London’s taxi service is the best in the world, in part because our cab drivers know the quickest routes through London’s complicated road network. There are thousands of streets and landmarks within a 6 mile radius of Charing Cross. Anyone who wants to drive an iconic London cab must memorize them all: the Knowledge of London.
The Knowledge was introduced as a requirement for taxi drivers in 1865. Mastering the Knowledge typically takes students three to four years; it’s a challenge, but plenty of help and support is available if you are determined.
As a taxi driver, you can choose when and where you work and how much you earn. Do you have the pride and passion it takes to become a London cabbie?
IRegertNothing, Esq. confirms that London taxi drivers have immense pride in their killer skills:
I can confirm that London cabbies are proud of what it takes to do their job. I was in a London cab once and a driver tried to force us out of our lane so he could get over. When our cab didn’t budge, the other driver yelled “Are you some kind of a wally” the next time traffic stopped. Our driver indignantly rolled his window down and yelled back that he’d been driving cabs in London for 30 years and didn’t need anyone to tell him how to do it.
For the sake of that memory I want the London cab.
It’s kinda wild they let Matt drive a London Black Taxi!
Finally, we stop at the Thomas piece about the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid and its Toyota powertrain. Nsane In The MembraNe thinks this is the perfect crossover:
I feel like this is now the Goldilocks midsize crossover. Looks are subjective, but I personally think it looks way better than a CRV, RAV-4, Tucson, Sportage, etc. The interior can be kitted out to near luxury levels as well, and now it has some of the best fuel economy in its class.
Plus, the Toyota powertrain is bomb proof. Mazda has been having a lot of issues with their first round of PHEV CX90s, so having something tried and true behind this is a real plus. Honestly the only disadvantage I can think of is that having an E AWD system will more or less remove what little off road capability the CX50 had, but let’s be real here…none of these have ever seen more than a gravel road anyway and never will.
I think this will be a big win for Mazda and will become my go to recommendation for people in this class. You really can’t go wrong here, it’s all of the Toyota hybrid efficiency and longevity in a package that has what a RAV4 or CRV never be able to offer…character. I genuinely really like this and think it’s a surefire hit.
Have a great evening, everyone!