finding the right car as a wheelchair user: a firsthand experience
Car shopping should be an exciting adventure, but for those of us who use wheelchairs, it’s often a frustrating and exhausting process. I’ve been through it all—researching, test-driving, and trying to find a vehicle that meets my mobility needs while still accommodating my family. Here’s what I learned along the way, including the challenges with mobility programs, dealership knowledge, and the evolving design of modern vehicles.
Our Needs and Constraints
I use a manual, folding wheelchair and have a young son, which means I need a car that allows me to stow my wheelchair in the passenger seat of a four-door. Headroom is crucial to do this, as is having four doors. We’re also a tall family—my husband is 6’0”, I’m 5’7”, and our 10-year-old is already 5’1” and growing fast! Any car we choose must have enough space for all of us while ensuring I can independently transfer to and from my wheelchair.
Currently, we own a Honda Fit and a Dodge Challenger, both equipped with hand controls. The Challenger, however, is no longer practical—our son doesn’t fit comfortably in the backseat, and at 12 years old (the car not the kid), it’s starting to rack up costly repairs. So, the search for a new car began.
Challenges in Car Shopping for Wheelchair Users
Mobility Programs Haven’t Kept Up With Costs
Adaptive equipment prices have skyrocketed. When I first installed hand controls in 2002, they cost $1,200, with $1,000 covered by the car manufacturer. In 2025, the same setup costs $2,400, but most manufacturers still only offer $1,000 in coverage—some, like Kia, offer nothing at all.
New Car Requirement is Cost-Prohibitive
Most mobility assistance programs only apply to new or leased vehicles, which isn’t realistic given that people with disabilities earn a median income of just over $32,000—far less than the $46,000 average for those without disabilities (source: Census). Only a few brands—Audi, BMW, Mini, and Volkswagen—allow certified pre-owned vehicles to qualify.
Dealers Lack Awareness of Mobility Programs
Because mobility programs operate at the corporate level, dealerships often have no idea they even exist. This makes it nearly impossible to confirm eligibility before committing to a vehicle, creating added stress when thousands of dollars are at stake.
Vehicles Are Becoming Less Accessible
Ground Clearance is Increasing: Wagons have been replaced with SUVs and crossovers, which are too high for wheelchair transfers.
Sedans Are Shrinking: Affordable sedans are getting smaller, making them less viable unless you’re considering luxury brands like Mercedes or BMW.
Center Consoles Are Rising: Many newer cars have center consoles at elbow height, making it nearly impossible to maneuver a wheelchair into the passenger seat.
Seat Height is Rising: Many newer cars also have seats sitting higher in car, making wheelchair transfers difficult if not impossible.
My Experience with Different Car Brands
Months of research, including details on leg room, head room, etc. from Car and Driver. No substitute for a butt in the seat.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what worked—and what didn’t—during my search.
Cars I Couldn’t Even Try Due to Accessibility Barriers:
Acura: All disabled parking spaces were taken by dealer vehicles, so we didn’t bother stopping. Although based on my research on the specs, none of the cars would have worked.
Buick, Cadillac, Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen: Either lacked sufficient headroom and legroom or were too high for a transfer, based on my research of online specs.
Dodge (Charger): Safety and overall ratings ruled it out.
Infiniti, Lexus: Negative online reviews kept us from trying them.
Cars I Tested But Didn’t Work:
BMW (3, 5, 7): Couldn’t find a sedan with a wide enough door combined with enough interior space.
Chrysler (Pacifica, 300): Pacifica was too high. My husband’s head hit the ceiling in the 300.
Ford (Escape, Mustang): Too high to transfer into.The Mustang wasn’t an option since their EVs don’t qualify for incentives and we weren’t ready for the added expense of electric vehicle infrastructure for the house.
Genesis (G70, G80): Too high, and the doors didn’t open wide enough to transfer.
Honda (HRV, CRV, Civic): SUVs were too high, and the Civic lacked head and legroom.
Kia (EV5, Niro): The E5 was too small. I could transfer into the Niro, but the trunk was too small for my wheelchair. Kia also doesn’t offer mobility assistance.
Mazda (Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30): The sedan was too small, and the SUVs were too high.
Mini (Countryman): Too high to transfer into.
Subaru (Outback): Too high to transfer into.
Volvo (S60, S90, V60 Wagon): None had enough head or legroom.
The winner!
Audi (A6): Ultimately purchased one—success!
How Car Companies and Dealers Can Help
Car Companies Need to Update Their Reimbursement: For wheelchair users, hand controls at $2,400 are the bare minimum car company mobility programs should cover.
Mobility Programs Need to Be More Flexible: Leasing isn’t really an option when one needs to alter the car. A new car is cost prohibitive, especially when tacking on equipment expense. Certified vehicles are certainly a good option, but also consider dealer sold used cars that are not certified. I would certainly be more loyal to that company!
Dealers Can Educate Themselves on Mobility Programs: Help make the sale! If dealers want people with disabilities to buy a car, help us understand the reimbursement the company offers.
How to Help Yourself
Do Your Car Research: Car and Driver was instrumental to my online research. I could find out about reviews, ratings, safety, interior and exterior specs, among many other areas.
Try Out Lots of Cars: There is no substitute for trying out a car in person. Many of the online specs I researched, couldn’t tell me how high the seat is in the car, or how wide the door opens so I could pivot-transfer into the car.
Find a Loan: Visit manufacturer websites to see what current incentives are being offered in your area. These change monthly so keep looking if you don’t find the right loan right away. We waited and the rate dropped to 3.99% from over 5%. Also, look at credit unions and local banks for the best used car loan rates.
Check Out Mobility Programs: See what car manufacturers offer to pay for your equipment (see the list I created below). Contact a local installer to find out how much your equipment is going to cost AND if it can be installed into the car of your choice. NMEDA has a searchable database.
| Company | Reimbursement Amount | New & Certifend Pre-owned |
|---|---|---|
| Acura | $1,000 | New only |
| Audi | $1,500 | New and CPO |
| BMW | $2,500 | New and CPO |
| Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram | $1,000 | New only |
| Ford | $1,000 | New only |
| Genesis | $1,000 | New only |
| GM - Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC | $2,500 | New only |
| Honda | $1,000 | New only |
| Hyundai | $1,000 | New only |
| Infiniti | $1,000 | New only |
| Kia | None | N/A |
| Lexus | $1,000 | New only |
| Mazda | $1,000 | New only |
| Mercedes | $1,000 | New only |
| Mini | $2,500 | New and CPO |
| Nissan | $1,000 | New only |
| Subaru | $1,000 | New only |
| Toyota | $1,000 | New only |
| Volkswagen | $1,000 | New and CPO |
| Volvo | $1,000 | New only |
Final Thoughts
Car shopping as a wheelchair user is an uphill battle, but being informed helps. If you’re in the same boat, start by researching mobility programs and dealer policies before stepping onto a lot. Push for better awareness, and don’t settle for a vehicle that doesn’t meet your needs.
My friend Jack added some additional information about mobility vans. Thanks Jack!
Mobility Vans
For those that need a full wheelchair conversion, the options can be limited and can get quite expensive. Typically, a new minivan with a side-entry wheelchair conversion can be up to double the cost of a non-converted minivan you’d find at a dealership. The major converters, VMI and BraunAbility have conversions starting around $35,000, making a new van north of $70,000 for a necessary piece of equipment. This includes a lowered floor, removable front seats, power doors, power ramp, relocated HVAC and exhaust, and a power kneeling system. This doesn’t include costs to modify the van with adaptive driving equipment.
Some Things to Think About with Modified Vans
Options: Currently, ramp conversions can be applied to chassis for Dodge (up to 2020), Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota (including the AWD models)
Financing: Vans can be financed up to 10-years, and usually carry a higher interest rate even at 60 month financing. Owners using a credit union will need to put down higher amounts, as credit unions don’t like to finance the conversion portion of a van
Insurance: Costs are determined based on driving history and the total cost to insure the van. ALWAYS explain that this is a mobility van and secure coverage for both the chassis and conversion
Tax-exemption: MA residents can qualify for a sales tax exemption on the entire van with a signed MVU-33 form. Other states offer exemption from sales tax on the conversion portion which your dealer can break down on the bill of sale
Assistance: Assistance programs are limited. Vocational Rehabilitation can be a resource in all 50 states when needing a van to return to work. Other programs include the VA for service-connected disabilities and non-profit organizations.
Rear-Entry: For those not looking to drive, a rear-entry van is a lower cost option. Starting around $20,000, the vans include a manual tailgate and rear ramp with space to stay in a wheelchair behind the front seats. Maintenance on the rear conversions is much lower without the added electronics and power systems
