There is no single best accessible car. The right choice depends on whether the person with a disability drives or rides as a passenger, how they transfer into the vehicle, and whether a wheelchair or scooter has to travel too. Starting from those needs avoids expensive mistakes.
Getting in and out
Seat height is the first thing to test. A seat at roughly hip height, as in many crossovers and minivans, lets people slide across rather than lowering themselves into a low car or climbing up into a tall truck. Wide door openings, doors that open close to 90 degrees and a low, flat sill all help. Sliding doors on minivans are especially useful in tight parking spaces.
Grab handles, a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, and power seats with memory settings make a difference for drivers with limited mobility.
Carrying a wheelchair or scooter
For a folding wheelchair, check the trunk opening height and load lip. Many people use a hoist or a rear-mounted lift for heavier chairs and scooters. If the person stays in the wheelchair while traveling, a converted minivan with a ramp and lowered floor is usually needed. Conversions are commonly based on the Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and some full-size vans.
Adaptations for drivers
Hand controls, steering knobs, left-foot accelerators and swivel or transfer seats allow many people to drive independently. Automatic transmissions are almost always required. Adaptations must be installed by qualified professionals, and some vehicles suit them better than others, so choose the car and the adaptation together.
Get a professional assessment
In the US, a certified driver rehabilitation specialist can assess your needs and recommend both the vehicle and the equipment. The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists has a directory, and NHTSA has a useful guide on adapting motor vehicles for people with disabilities. Dealers who are members of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) specialize in conversions. Many manufacturers also offer mobility rebates toward adaptation costs.
Before you buy
Bring the wheelchair or mobility aid to the test drive, try every transfer you will need to make, and consider how needs might change over the coming years. For comfort on longer drives, see the most comfortable cars; for families that also need space, the best cars for families.
