The Vapid Taxi is a four-door taxicab appearing in Grand Theft Auto IV, Episodes from Liberty City, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
The Taxi returns from the 3D Universe and 2D Universe as the series' main taxicab. Similar to past titles, it is based on the same model used by at least one police car in each game it appears in. The Taxi does not appear in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, instead, the Cabbie returns from the 3D Universe, taking the Taxi's place as the game's only taxicab.
Description[]
The Taxi can be used to take Taxi Rides around each game's world. Taxis patrolling the city streets can be hailed. Taxis can then be ridden in, for a fee, to both pre-defined as well as user-defined waypoint locations. In GTA V and GTA Online, the player can also call the Downtown Cab Co. to request a taxi.
The Taxi can also be used to complete Taxi Jobs in GTA V. In GTA IV, the Taxi does not serve as a mission vehicle and thus cannot be used by the player to collect and deliver taxi fares.
Influence[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
Like the Police Cruiser, the Taxi in Grand Theft Auto IV is influenced strongly by the first generation Crown Victoria and the second generation Mercury Grand Marquis, with frontal design cues more similar to a 1998–2011 Crown Victoria.
Its L.C.C. Taxis livery is inspired by older generation NYC Taxis.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Taxi in Grand Theft Auto V and Online returns with a modernized and lighter appearance, based on a 1998–2011 Crown Victoria.
Its Downtown Cab Co. livery is inspired by the livery used by Checker Cab Company, Los Angeles.
Design[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Taxi is built by Vapid and is based on the later-named Stanier. This chassis also provides the basis for the LCPD Police and NOOSE Cruisers. The same rim design is shared among these vehicles. Vapid Taxis are seen in a yellow primary color for the main body, with yellow, black, or grey secondary colors for the bumpers, similar to the GTA Liberty City Stories rendition and earlier New York Crown Victoria taxicabs.
The Taxi can appear with three different roof signs; both modern and classic versions of the icon "taxi" sign with amber lights aside the "TAXI" display sign, as well as a rooftop advertisement board, itself spawning with three possible combinations of commercials; WTF and Banging Trash Can Lids for an Hour, and Conjoined Twins, The Science of Crime, or Weazel News. All taxi signs can be detached in collisions.
The Taxi also features a medallion screwed on the front grille, similar to a real practice by New York City Taxi to denote vehicles which are licensed to pick up passengers; they also have a red beacon light on the front grille and rear trunk. A set of push bars comes as standard for both models, with the frontal ones reused from their law enforcement counterparts. This Taxi, as well as the Merit variant, Roman's taxi and the Cabby, carry the registration insignia LC2708.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Taxi in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online is based on a second generation re-imagination of the Stanier (despite no civilian model of this generation model existing), which is in turn based on the
The Taxi is operated by the Downtown Cab Co. taxi company, appearing with a yellow primary color and blue secondary color (inspired by the scheme of the), and uses a set of circular hubcaps and medium-profile tires with standard tread pattern (different to those of the Stanier-based police cars in the same game). It has a small "Police Interceptor" name plate on the right rear above the taillights like most Crown Vic taxis, which are police versions of the car. Similar to its GTA IV equivalents, the Taxi will appear with regular taxi lights or variants with rooftop advertisements for "Caca", "Le Chien", "Vanilla Unicorn", or Die Already 4, which can also detach in collisions. It also bears orange beacon lights on both ends.
Performance[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
The Vapid Stanier-based Taxi's acceleration is good, and the top speed is above average. Its braking and suspension are very good, identical to that of the Police Cruiser; ABS is standard, and the suspension easily handles cornering and smooths out the bumpy roads of Liberty City. Crash deformation is good, and the vehicle can sustain multiple frontal impacts before failing.
The Vapid model uses a relatively low-revving sound also found on the Emperor, the Police Cruiser and the NOOSE Cruiser.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Taxi in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online is powered by an 8-cylinder engine, coupled to 5 speed gearbox and powering the rear wheels. Like the Police Cruiser, acceleration is good, engine durability is very good, top speed is above average, and braking is acceptable. Despite being quick on flat roads, the vehicle would struggle to climb even the slightest hill climb, most dominantly the hilly roads around Vinewood Hills. The engine of the Taxi will emit a knocking noise whilst the vehicle is idle and when the player releases the throttle after revving the engine, demonstrating how real-world taxis are generally worn down from constantly being in use.
Strangely, despite sharing the same platform and chassis as the Police Cruiser and Unmarked Cruiser, the engine sound is slightly lower in tone, making it sound much less powerful than the aforementioned versions of the car.
Variants[]
| Image | Vehicle | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special variants | |||
 A Taxi Custom in Grand Theft Auto Online. |
Taxi Custom | A pre-customized variant of the Taxi can be unlocked as an Arena War reward. It becomes available as the "Taxi Custom" in the Pegasus Lifestyle Management menu, but is otherwise a standard Taxi with the following customization options applied by default:
|
Taxi Custom added to Grand Theft Auto Online as part of the Los Santos Drug Wars update. |
Modifications[]
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Taxi cannot be modified, but can be repaired. In Grand Theft Auto Online, however, the vehicle has access to explosives.
| Category | Modification | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explosives | Ignition Bomb | $5,000 | |
| Remote Bomb | $7,500 | ||
Gallery[]
Design[]
Trailer Screenshots[]
A Taxi in the Vladimir Glebov trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV, erroneously spawning in a black color.
Official Screenshots[]
Images[]
A Taxi with roof-mounted advertising in Grand Theft Auto V. (Rear quarter view)
The Taxi on Warstock Cache & Carry.
The Taxi Work Taxi with license plate C4BCO in Grand Theft Auto Online. (Rear quarter view)
A Taxi at Downtown Cab Co. in GTA Online, seeded to spawn by a player-owned Taxi.
Locations[]
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Reflecting real New York's abundance of taxicabs, Taxis are the most commonly spawning vehicles in Liberty City, and are particularly common in Downtown Broker, Francis International Airport, and throughout Algonquin, especially The Triangle and Star Junction where Taxis make up the majority of road traffic. Taxis are less common in peripheral, industrial, and suburban areas of the city; notably, taxis will rarely spawn in eastern Dukes and northern Alderney and never spawn in Acter Industrial Park (Alderney), and in parts of Bohan.
- Can be found parked in an alley near Manganese Street and Burlesque in Star Junction, Algonquin.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
Taxis are not as common as previous appearances, but can still be found around the city:
- Will drive up to the player's location should they call Downtown Cab Co., provided they are able to send a taxi to the player's current location.
- Can be found at the Downtown Cab Co. depot, parked in the front lot. If Franklin has purchased the property, he is able to enter them without gaining police attention.
- Taxis can be found with moderate frequency around most areas of Los Santos, particularly the Downtown areas.
- Often found parked in spaces available in front of the Oriental Theater.
- Frequently seen around the Los Santos International Airport district, where they can often be seen pulling away from the curb outside the terminal buildings with newly arrived passengers.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Taxis do not spawn on the streets in GTA Online, similar to ambient cars such as the Boxville as well as patrolling Police Cruisers.
- Like in GTA V, the player can call Downtown Cab Co. on their phone to request a Taxi. If the player has money in their pocket and not banked, the Taxi will pull up near the player's current location, provided they can be reached.
- As of the Arena War update, can be unlocked as a Pegasus vehicle after reaching Sponsorship Tier 25 in Arena War (enhanced version only).
- It will be labeled Taxi Custom on the Pegasus order list, but is otherwise a standard Taxi with visual and performance customization.
- As of The Diamond Casino Heist update, Eddie Toh can provide a Taxi as a switch vehicle for the eponymous heist.
- As of The Contract update, taxis can spawn parked at Downtown Cab Co. in East Vinewood when another "seed" Taxi is within 400 yards. A seed taxi can be a player-owned Arena War variant, a stolen Taxi, or one obtained during a Payphone Hit.
- Available from Warstock Cache & Carry for $650,000, or $487,500 after completing ten fares in a row during Taxi Work.
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Taxi Jobs[]
- Like in the 3D Universe, the Taxi serves as a functional mission vehicle in GTA V, and can be used to activate Taxi Jobs. The player can collect and drop off fares at any time.
- The taxi activity also returns in the enhanced versions of GTA Online, albeit with a different setup. The player can use a player-owned Taxi to activate Taxi Work, or use a Taxi provided at the Downtown Cab Co., to collect and drop off fares within a time limit.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- Bull in a China Shop – A Taxi always appears on the left side of the player when starting the mission, and is intentionally provided when the player learns how to hail a cab. It seems to drive slowly so the player can read the instructions on the top left corner at time.
- Taxis tend to spawn in missions involving car chases. Some examples are Search and Delete, Meltdown and Smackdown.
- One may appear in the mission Hating the Haters, when picking up Bernie Crane during the chase.
The Lost and Damned[]
- Marta Full of Grace – Vapid Taxis spawns on the area and stops abruptly in the zone, offering some degree of protection to Johnny.
The Ballad of Gay Tony[]
- Bang Bang – One may appear near the area where the target crane is. It is scripted to trigger the alarm once the crane is destroyed.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- The Union Depository Contract/Finale – Taxis may be seen during the cutscene in which the LSPD and the NOOSE arrive to the Union Depository.
- Payphone Hit: The Tech Entrepreneur – The client's preferred assassination method requires the player pick up a Downtown Cab Co. taxi to collect the client from a hotel.
Rockstar Games Social Club[]
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
Oversights[]
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- When switching to Franklin, he may be seen being dropped off by a Taxi in front of his house while saying goodbye to a young woman in the back seat. The taxi is missing a roof sign and sometimes has no license plate text. It can be obtained by killing the driver and attempting to open the locked door, which will cause the Taxi to respawn next to Franklin's home the next time he's there, with the doors no longer locked.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- On its Rockstar Games Social Club listing, the Taxi is marked as non-purchasable, even though the car can be purchased from Warstock Cache & Carry as part of the Los Santos Drug Wars update.
Radio Stations[]
- In Grand Theft Auto IV, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Taxi uses the "Talk Radio" group which can play:
- In Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Taxi uses the "Talk Radio" group which can play:
- In Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Taxi uses the "Talk Radio" group which can play:
- In Grand Theft Auto V and Online, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Taxi uses the "Left-Talk" group which can play:
- West Coast Talk Radio (Only when in Los Santos County.)
- Any other random station when in Blaine County.
Specifications[]
Model[]
| Model name | Texture name | Handling name | Text label name | In-game name | Swankness | Flags | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA IV | taxi
|
taxi
|
TAXI
|
TAXI
|
Taxi | 3
|
|
| GTA V and Online | taxi
|
taxi
|
TAXI2
|
TAXI
|
Taxi | 1
|
|
Population[]
| Groups | Scenario sets | Frequency (%) | Driver model | License plates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA IV |
|
N/A | 40 | N/A | N/A |
| GTA V and Online |
|
|
100 | A_M_Y_StLat_01
|
Standard White - 100% |
Handling[]
| Max velocity (kmh / mph) | Gears | Engine type | Drivetrain | Mass (kg / lbs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA IV | 135 / 83.7 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 1900 / 4180 |
| GTA V and Online | 143 / 88.66 | 5 | N/A | RWD | 1400 / 3080 |
Audio[]
| Horns | Engine | Police scanner | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Model | Category | Color | |||
| GTA IV | |
|
N/A | |||
| GTA V and Online | horn_list_old
|
saloon_1_eur_4cyl
|
Vapid | Taxi |
|
None |
Language[]
| English | Chinese (Traditional) | Chinese (Simplified) | French | German | Italian | Japanese | Korean | MexicanMexicanNahuatl/Aztec/Mexicano | Polish | Portuguese | Russian | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTA V and Online | Taxi | 計程車 | 出租车 | Taxi | Taxi | Taxi | タクシー | 택시 | Taxi | Taxi | Taxi | Такси | Taxi |
Traffic Default Colors[]
| GTA IV | PrimaryPrimaryPrimary color (1) | SecondarySecondarySecondary color (2) | PearlescentPearlescentPearlescent color (3) | TertiaryTertiaryTertiary color (4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 Taxi Yellow | 1 Black Poly | 1 Black Poly | 0 Black | |
| 89 Taxi Yellow | 89 Taxi Yellow | 1 Black Poly | 0 Black | |
| 89 Taxi Yellow | 3 Pewter Gray Poly | 1 Black Poly | 0 Black |
| GTA V and Online | PrimaryPrimaryPrimary color (1) | SecondarySecondarySecondary color (2) | PearlescentPearlescentPearlescent color (3) | WheelsWheelsWheel/tertiary color (4) | TrimTrimTrim/quaternary color (5) | AccentAccentAccent/quinary color (6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88 Metallic Taxi Yellow (Metallic) | 77 Util Blue (Utility) | 5 Metallic Blue Silver (Metallic) | 156 Default Alloy Color (Classic) | 0 Metallic Black (Metallic) | 0 Metallic Black (Metallic) |
Trivia[]
- Like other taxicabs, the Taxi features a screen inside the vehicle that show the destination for the player; however, it will despawn if the player is not inside the car.
- The Taxi based on the first generation Stanier has a brief cameo in the film Meltdown, in which appears during the intro to the film along with the Police Patrol and Cabby. The same vehicles also appear on Jimmy's laptop as his desktop background.
Grand Theft Auto IV[]
- During the Vladimir Glebov trailer, the Vapid Taxi appears with a black paintjob.
- Most of the taxi drivers in GTA IV are Greek. A taxi driver may say "I'm Greek, you know" when held at gunpoint. They also can be heard cursing traffic in front of them with the Greek phrase "malaka", which is slang for numerous derogatory remarks.
- When Niko takes an NPC out of the backseat of a cab, they may sometimes say, "That's my wife's car, take it!" or tell Niko it's their car.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- A warning message reading "Driver carries a fire arm [sic] and will use it in defense" is printed on either side of the vehicle. However, the drivers are not armed.
See Also[]
- Taxi – All relevant articles on taxis, including taxi models, missions and other functionality.
- Cabbie – A taxicab appearing in the 3D Universe as well as Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
- Taxi (Merit-based), Cabby and Roman's Taxi – Three other taxicabs appearing in Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City.
- Stanier – Civilian variant of the Taxi in Grand Theft Auto IV, appearing in Grand Theft Auto V and Online.