What Car Is Waymo Using? | Fleet Models Explained

You spot a driverless car at a curb, the roof looks like it’s wearing a high-tech crown, and the side says Waymo. The next thought is simple: what car is that?

Waymo doesn’t stick to one vehicle forever. It picks platforms that fit the job, then fits them with its sensor suite, compute, wiring, and rider hardware. That’s why you’ll see a small set of recognizable models on public streets, plus a longer list of older test cars in photos and timelines.

This article lays out the cars Waymo uses now, what you’ll see in each city, and why some models stay in rotation while others fade out.

What Car Is Waymo Using? Current Fleet Snapshot

In day-to-day rider service, Waymo is best known for the Jaguar I-PACE. It’s an all-electric SUV that gives Waymo a roomy cabin, a big battery pack, and a modern electrical system that fits autonomous hardware well. Waymo publicly confirmed a move away from its Chrysler Pacifica rider fleet and a shift to the Jaguar I-PACE platform in 2023.

Waymo is also bringing in a purpose-built robotaxi from Zeekr, often referred to as the Zeekr RT in press coverage. This model is designed around autonomous hardware from the start, not added after the fact. It’s part of Waymo’s push to scale with a platform built for long duty cycles and easy servicing.

Alongside those two, you’ll see references to other vehicles tied to development work. One example is Waymo’s sixth-generation hardware system, which Waymo says uses a sensor suite with 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar, plus external audio receivers. That hardware has been shown on more than one vehicle platform during testing.

Why Waymo Picks These Vehicles

Waymo’s vehicle choice is less about brand loyalty and more about fit. A robotaxi needs a clean integration path, steady electrical power, a cabin that works for riders, and a body shape that lets sensors see clearly in all directions.

Packaging And Sight Lines

Lidar and cameras need height and clear angles. A taller roofline makes it easier to mount sensors without blocking doors, hatches, or rider sight lines. SUVs and van-like shapes give Waymo more room for roof hardware, wiring runs, and sensor cleaning equipment.

Electrical Headroom

Autonomous systems pull serious power. An EV platform can supply steady electrical power without idling an engine at a curb. It also simplifies thermal control for compute and sensors because the vehicle already manages battery and cabin temperatures.

Rider Space And Simple Entry

Waymo rides are often short, yet people still bring bags, strollers, and groceries. A flat floor, wide rear doors, and a usable cargo area mean fewer trip headaches. Waymo’s own rider notes for the Jaguar I-PACE mention the trunk and a four-rider setup for rider-only trips.

Serviceability For High Mileage

Robotaxis rack up miles fast. The winner is the platform that can be repaired quickly, cleaned quickly, and returned to service with minimal downtime. A purpose-built vehicle can place wear items where technicians can reach them in minutes, not hours.

How To Tell A Waymo Car At A Glance

You don’t need to know car silhouettes to spot a Waymo vehicle. The autonomous hardware gives it away.

• Roof pod: A raised housing that holds lidar and other sensors, plus a distinctive sensor “ring” look on many vehicles.
• Corner sensors: Extra sensor units near bumpers or fenders, aimed to cover side angles at close range.
• Camera clusters: Small, dark camera windows placed to cover front, sides, and rear with overlap.
• Waymo branding: Logos on doors and a simple rider-facing identity scheme.

From a rider’s seat, you’ll also notice a passenger screen and app-based door access in many markets.

Waymo Car Models In Service Right Now, With Notes For Riders

The list below focuses on what you’re most likely to see on public roads connected to Waymo’s ride service and active testing.

Jaguar I-PACE

This is the most common Waymo vehicle in active rider service. Waymo has used it as its “latest vehicle platform” in Phoenix-area service, paired with its fifth-generation driver system in the 2023 transition away from Pacificas. The I-PACE’s EV layout gives a quiet cabin, steady low-speed control, and enough room for rider gear.

If you ride in one, expect a familiar crossover layout. Seats feel like a normal SUV. The roof hardware is the only clue from inside, aside from the passenger screen and app-based controls.

Zeekr RT

Waymo has been preparing a Zeekr-built vehicle meant for autonomous duty from day one. The goal is straightforward: reduce the work of converting retail cars into robotaxis. A purpose-built platform can place sensors, compute, and redundant systems where they belong, with fewer compromises.

In street sightings, the Zeekr RT reads more like a compact van than a SUV. Expect a tall cabin, easy entry, and a layout that suits frequent pickups and drop-offs.

Hyundai IONIQ 5

Waymo has tested its latest driver hardware on multiple vehicle platforms. Public coverage around CES and later reporting has tied the Hyundai IONIQ 5 to Waymo’s fleet testing. That doesn’t mean you can hail an IONIQ 5 Waymo ride everywhere. It does mean Waymo is keeping options open as it scales.

Legacy Rider Platform: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

For years, the Pacifica hybrid minivan was the signature Waymo ride. In 2023, Waymo began retiring it from rider service in the Phoenix area and shifted riders to the Jaguar I-PACE platform. You’ll still see Pacifica images in older press, yet it’s no longer the main rider platform where the changeover is complete.

To keep the picture clear, here’s a broader view of vehicles tied to Waymo across time, including active platforms, transition vehicles, and older test hardware.

Vehicle Platform	Where You’ll Encounter It	What It Tells You
Jaguar I-PACE (EV)	Common in rider service across major markets	Current core platform for rider rides in many cities
Zeekr RT (purpose-built EV)	Rollout and road testing, with ramp-up tied to deployments	Built around autonomous hardware and high-duty cycles
Hyundai IONIQ 5 (EV)	Testing and validation work on public roads	Alternative EV platform under evaluation
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid	Older rider fleet images; limited use after retirement	Earlier mass rider platform that Waymo phased out in some areas
Lexus RX450h (early test SUV)	Historical program material and early testing references	Shows Waymo’s roots in retrofitting consumer vehicles
Firefly prototype	Historical photos and early prototype discussion	Purpose-built early learning vehicle, later retired
Modified early test cars (varied models)	Older reports and program timelines	Waymo used multiple makes during early data collection

What Changes By City

Waymo’s “car” is also a city-level choice. The same driver system can run on different vehicles, and the mix you see depends on what that city needs right now.

Phoenix Metro

Phoenix was the public-facing launch market for Waymo’s ride-hailing service, and it’s also where riders saw a clear platform transition. Waymo’s help-center note about retiring the Pacifica in the East Valley spelled out the switch to the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE and a four-rider setup for rider-only trips. If you’re in the Phoenix area, the I-PACE is the model you’re most likely to see.

San Francisco Bay Area

In dense street grids, Waymo leans on EV platforms like the I-PACE, which you’ll see often in active service.

Los Angeles

Expect the same sensor-heavy look, with a mix that can shift as service areas expand and new platforms ramp up.

Other Test Locations

Waymo runs road testing beyond its rider maps. When you hear about a new vehicle platform, it may show up first in limited validation drives, then expand once performance and service processes are dialed in.

What’s Inside A Waymo Vehicle That Isn’t In A Regular Car

From the curb, you see sensors. Inside, you’ll notice rider hardware that makes a driverless trip feel normal.

Rider Controls And Screens

Waymo vehicles typically include a passenger screen that can show trip info and controls. Riders can open doors through the app in markets that use that flow, and the cabin is set up for self-serve rides.

Redundant Systems

Autonomous vehicles are built with backups across sensing and compute. Overlapping sensor views are part of that design.

Sensor Cleaning And All-Weather Details

Cars driven by people can pull over and wipe a sensor with a sleeve. A driverless fleet needs built-in cleaning and protection. Waymo says its newer hardware work accounts for harsh conditions, with options to adjust sensor cleaning and protection for different operating locations.

Rider Situation	What You’ll Usually See	What To Do
Car arrives, doors stay locked	App-based door opening flow	Use the Waymo app prompt, then check the handle light
Need space for bags	Trunk access on the I-PACE	Load heavier bags first, keep the aisle clear
Riding with four people	Four-rider layout on many I-PACE rider trips	Confirm seatbelt use for every rider before the car departs
Child needs a car seat	No built-in seats on many I-PACE rides	Bring your own seat and install it as you would in any car
Want music or cabin comfort	Cabin controls and passenger screen options	Set temperature and audio after you’re buckled

Why The Pacifica Moved Out And The EV Platforms Moved In

The Pacifica hybrid worked well as a first large fleet platform. It offered space, sliding doors, and a proven mass-market base. Over time, Waymo shifted toward EV platforms for rider service. The Jaguar I-PACE gave Waymo a modern EV with good cabin comfort and a clean integration path, and Waymo communicated the Pacifica retirement directly to riders in Phoenix through its help center.

EV platforms also fit the stop-and-go pattern of robotaxi work. Low-speed efficiency is strong, cabin noise is low, and there’s no engine heat soak after idling at a pickup. For a fleet operator, these day-to-day details stack up.

What To Expect Next From Waymo’s Vehicle Lineup

The I-PACE remains the face of Waymo’s ride service in many areas, and the Zeekr RT is the next platform built for wider deployment. Waymo’s sixth-generation sensor suite is also part of the scaling plan, with a design that keeps long-range perception while lowering system cost.

To identify a Waymo vehicle on the street, start with the roof pod and door branding. Then check the shape. SUV-like usually points to the Jaguar I-PACE. A taller, van-like profile can point to the Zeekr RT as it appears in more markets.