Automakers design vehicles to suit differing needs. While some are suitable for large families, some are specifically for speed lovers, and some are for travelers, among others.
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We’ve already looked at cars that best fit a wheelchair.
For an elderly or a person with disability, considering just any SUV may pose certain inconveniences as there are certain features that these vehicles should possess for effortless movement in and out of the SUVs.
In this article, we consider 14 SUVs under the sub-compact, compact, mid-size, and full-size categories that are the best choice for the elderly and disabled.
Sub-compact SUVs
Here are subcompact SUVs that are easy to get in and out of for the elderly and people living with disabilities:
1. 2023 Volkswagen Taos
The 2023 Volkswagen Taos has proven to be one of the best in its class. The front and passenger doors offer large openings the aged and disabled will find quite comfortable to move in and out of.
Also, there is enough space for passengers and drivers to sit comfortably during a drive. The cargo area has enough room for storage, too.
And when there is a need for more space, where drivers or owners need to store a wheelchair or similar, they can fold the rear seats down.
The elderly and disabled can also drive the 2023 Volkswagen with access to great visibility. This is owing to the square windows and good mirror coverage.
There are also cars with extra wide door openings you may be interested in.
2. 2023 Honda HR-V
The 2023 Honda HR-V offers a comfortable ride elderly and disabled passengers will love despite its stiff front seat cushions. The car softens road bump effects while offering a quiet cabin.
This SUV offers one of the roomiest cabins, with enough space in the front and rear rows under this category.
It is very easy to get in and out of owing to its large door openings. And you don’t need to worry about leg room. The 2023 Honda HR-V provided enough for passengers.
You need not worry about the driving height too, cause this SUV offers accessible seat height for comfortable driving, though with limited seat space. You also get to enjoy great visibility driving in this car as seeing in all directions is quite easy.
Also, the cargo space is very spacious for storing items and owners can fold the rear seats for more space.
3. 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
Another SUV under this category is the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross.
It does not only offer a comfortable ride with spacious seats for passengers, but there are also many standard driver-assist features that the elderly and disabled can access for easier driving.
This SUV comes with a spacious, simple cabin with doors that are easy to get in and out of. It comes with enough room for front and rear passengers.
Also, the outward visibility is great in the front and sides, so driving in one as an elderly or disabled means seeing the road ahead clearly.
Owners can also access enough trunk space for storage in this SUV with the option of folding the rear seats where there is a need for more.
You should also check out our article about SUVs with rear heated seats.
4. 2023 Nissan Kicks
The next sub-compact SUV for the elderly and the disabled on our list is the 2023 Nissan Kicks. This stylish SUV offers easy entry and exit of the cabin owing to its enormous doors.
While the 2023 Nissan Kicks offers spacious seats in the first and second rows, they lack comfort because of insufficient cushioning and support. So far, many car experts have also reported the seating uncomfortable.
However, the trunk offers enough space to store items, with the option to fold the rear seats where there is a need for more. However, note that the rear seats don’t fold flat.
5. 2023 Kia Seltos
The 2023 Kia Seltos offers a simple and roomy interior owing to its provision of sufficient knee room and shoulder room for owners.
Owners also get to enjoy enough cabin space and the ability to fold the rear seats where there is a need for more space. It also comes with an infotainment system that the elderly and disabled will find quite easy to use.
Aside from this, the SUV is quite easy to get in and out of. However, people who are above 6 foot 2 may not find this SUV very accommodating in the front and back.
The car offers the option to adjust the height of the driver’s seat to make driving more convenient for anyone behind the wheel.
Make sure to also read our article about SUVs with more headroom for tall people.
Compact SUV
Here’s a list of compact SUVs that offer easy ingress and exit for old people and persons with physical disabilities:
6. 2023 Nissan Rogue
The 2020 Nissan Rogue is another SUV for the elderly and disabled. This vehicle is not just a compact SUV, but one of the hottest in this segment.
It comes with a lot of standard modern features that owners will love.
Aside from its advanced driver’s aid, this vehicle also offers lightweight doors with big openings for the elderly and disabled to enter and exit easily.
It offers a splendid view owing to its wide windows. However, this SUV comes with a small cargo space for storage.
7. 2022 Toyota RAV4
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 comes with comfortable ride and many safety technology features.
It has comfortable seats drivers and owners will enjoy during rides. Also, the cabin offers great visibility.
The elderly and disabled can also move easily in and out of this SUV owing to the wide openings the doors provide. There is enough trunk space for storage, which is easy to lower owing to its low cargo floor.
However, while the driving position is high and suitable for the elderly and disabled, it may not be comfortable in certain situations, as drivers can’t adjust it.
8. 2023 Subaru Forester
The 2023 Subaru Forester comes with driver assist features and enough comfort that is handy during long drives. There is easy access to the labeled controls with easy navigation.
The disabled and elderly can also easily move in and out of the vehicle owing to its tall doors.
While the trunk may not be as spacious as its competitors, it possesses a high roof and a layout that makes it easy to store large items like wheelchairs and others.
Subaru positioned the seat height of the 2023 Forester in a way that is convenient to support drivers and passengers.
Please also read our article about what exactly determines an SUV if you’re confused about the different categories.
Mid-size SUVs
Here’s a list of mid-size SUVs that are convenient for the elderly and people with disabilities:
9. 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe has ample room and many standard features a modern vehicle can offer. The SUV comes with advanced driver aids that the elderly and the disabled will find useful.
Its suspension makes driving very comfortable by filtering the effects of road bumps, and the seatings are comfortable enough with enough padding.
Another thing to enjoy when riding in this SUV is the spacious interior with enough legroom and headroom.
The large door openings make it quite easy to move in and out for the elderly and disabled as well. And while it offers great visibility, you also have options to adjust the seats depending on your preference.
For storage, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a spacious trunk. And to access more space, you can drop the second-row seat using remote seat releases for easier control.
10. 2023 Mazda CX-9
Owners of the 2023 Mazda CX-9 enjoy a premium interior and comfortable seats perfect for long drives.
This three-row SUV offers a smooth ride both the elderly and disabled will enjoy, especially with the heated and ventilated seats.
Its interior is quite simple, but Mazda designed it with elegance, which owners will love.
The vehicle provides easy access to controls with enough room for comfort in the first and second row. The third row, however, is better left for kids.
Getting in and out of CX-9 is quite easy. But, the visibility is not quite great owing to its thick pillars. Also, the trunk is not spacious compared to other SUVs in this category.
11. 2023 Ford Edge
The 2023 Ford Edge offers a spacious cabin for drivers and passengers.
The front seats are very comfortable with the availability of soft leather and supportive bolsters. Rear seats, however, do not offer the same comfort level as the front seats. This is mainly because they are flat.
The interior includes a spacious cabin for the driver and passenger, with big front doors that open wide for easy entrance and exit.
The rear doors, however, are not as big. But there is an option to adjust the seats to a comfortable seating position for the best driving experience.
For the trunk space, the Edge offers enough trunk space for storage with the option to fold the rear seats.
12. 2023 Nissan Murano
The 2023 Murano not only comes with a striking exterior design but also offers high-quality interior materials that owners will love.
The Murano offers plush seats the elderly and disabled will find useful for long rides.
Also, the cabin includes enough front headroom and legroom with the option to adjust the seat, but not so much legroom for the rear passengers.
Getting in and out of the 2023 Nissan Murano is very easy, but the doors are not wide. Thus, passengers should be careful in tight spots.
Also, visibility isn’t that great in this car, owing to the tail hood and sloping roofline.
The Murano also comes with limited trunk space, but owners can get more by folding the rear seats.
The large size and easy entry and exit is one of the benefits of SUVs that make them ideal for the elderly and disabled.
Full-size SUVs
Here are some full-size SUVs that offer easy entry and exit for the elderly and people with disabilities:
13. 2023 Land Rover Range Rover
The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover is quite popular for its off-road capacities. This SUV offers a comfortable, quality, and simple interior that the elderly will love.
It also offers luxury interior materials with many standard technology features for comfort.
However, while the cabin comes with enough legroom, the headroom may not be quite enough for taller passenger, especially those around 6 feet and above.
Otherwise, the seats, especially the front seats, offer excellent visibility for drivers, which makes driving easier.
It is also one of the full-size SUVs that are easy to get in and out of owing to its towering body and enormous doors.
For elderly or disabled people with large families, there is also an optional third-row seat that is easy to access. All that you need to do is press the designed button and the middle seat slides forward and tilts up, so owners can use the third row.
There is also enough trunk room for storage with the option to fold the rears where there is a need for more.
14. 2022 GMC Acadia
The 2022 GMC Acadia is a simple, full-size, three-row SUV that comes with a comfortable ride that elderly people and the disabled will especially love.
Its performance is decent enough, with some standard safety features and a nice interior.
The Acadia offers easy access for entrance and exit, but not in the third row, as it is tight. Owners get to enjoy enough legroom but not enough headroom in the second row.
Also, the trunk space may not be as spacious as other SUVs in the category, but owners can get more space by folding the rear seats. This space is quite enough to hold a wheelchair or others where there is a need.
Sources
Best Cars, Best Trucks, and Best SUVs | U.S. News and World Report
New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews, and Pricing | Edmunds