What are the best cars for wheelchairs and wheelchair users?

he Citroën Berlingo is one of the most popular cars around for wheelchairs users, as a result of its tough-to-beat combination of practicality, reliability and space. Even in its most basic form, the French MPV can offer a boot capacity of up to 775 litres, rising to over 3,000 with the second row of seats folded flat. Sharing its basic shape and setup with a van, the Berlingo’s boot has a wide opening and low loading lip, making it easy to lift wheelchairs and mobility scooters in and out. For drivers who need further assistance, WAV conversions of the Berlingo have been commonplace on British roads for decades with specialist firms able to easily add ramps and lifts if necessary. Despite its boxy appearances, the Berlingo still feels like a car when you’re behind the wheel, setting it aside from some of the other, more industrial-feeling options on the market. Prices for a brand new Berlingo kick off at £27,055 to buy outright, but the model is also available on a three-year lease for anyone who qualifies for a car via the Motability Scheme. On the used market, WAV converted Berlingos can be picked up on AA Cars for as little as £6,000, although newer, more expensive models can cost up to £20,000.

Similar to the Berlingo, Ford’s Tourneo Connect is an MPV that offers market-leading practicality. Originally launched as a passenger version of the brand’s Transit Connect van, it has the edge over the Citroën thanks to its greater interior flexibility and bigger boot. Unlike in the Berlingo, the rear seats can slide forwards and back, with the five-seat model offering around 1,100 litres in boot space. Ford will also sell you an even larger seven-seat option with 1,450 litres of space, when the two rear seats are not in use. Again, the Tourneo Connect makes it easy to load and store a wheelchair or mobility scooter thanks to its low height and wide-opening tailgate. The Tourneo Connect is another model which makes WAV conversions easy with specialist firms more than comfortable adding lowered floors, ramps, and specialist wheelchair tie-downs, where necessary. Like its big brother, the Transit, the model is easy to drive, offering light steering and good visibility. Prices start at just under £35,000 for a brand new model, making it more expensive than the Berlingo, although once again it is a popular choice among Motability buyers, who can access WAV-ready versions through the scheme. On the used market, WAV-converted Tourneo Connects are available on AA Cars from just under £10,000 with the most expensive models fetching more than £35,000.

Another offering from Ford now, as we take a look at the Blue Oval’s much-loved people carrier – the Galaxy, which offers an alternative approach to wheelchair users who don’t need a full commercial-style WAV. While the boot space may only measure a meagre 300 litres with all seven seats in place, that rises to more than 1,300 litres by folding the back two seats away. This is more than enough space for a folded wheelchair, mobility scooter or additional equipment. In recent years, the people carrier market has largely disappeared, as drivers shift towards bigger SUVs which tower well above the road. Ford actually discontinued the Galaxy back in 2023 but plenty of second-hand models continue to flood the market. For anyone with mobility issues, the Ford is significantly easier to get in and out of than most modern SUVs thanks to its more reasonable ground height and the ride is more than a match for most. While not commonly converted into a full WAV, the Galaxy remains practical in its own right for any wheelchair users who simply need a car capable of carrying their chair with minimal fuss. The cabin is airy, comfortable and stylish too, making the Ford a very worthy competitor here. With the car now no longer in production, if you do want a Galaxy, you’ll need to head over to AA Cars, where second-hand models range from as little as £500 all the way up to almost £30,000.

The only SUV to make it onto our list, the Honda CR-V has forced its way into the reckoning as a result of being one of the best practical cars that money can buy. The Japanese model is never going to be converted into a full WAV but, like the Galaxy, it could be an excellent choice for anyone who wants a normal car that can also handle a wheelchair. The Honda boasts one of the biggest boots in the entire SUV class with around 580 litres of space, rising to 1,600 litres with the second row of seats folded away. While that may not be on the same level as some of the other vehicles on this list, it is still adequate for a folded-up chair. The CR-V’s wide tailgate, low loading height for an SUV, and flat, uninterrupted boot floor also make it easy to lift anything in and out. Out on the road, the CR-V offers a smooth and dependable driving experience and is more comfortable than anything else we’ve mentioned so far. As a Honda, it also benefits from outstanding build-quality and reliability. New CR-V prices start from just under £50,000 – making it the most expensive option we have picked – but it offers a level of style, sophistication and comfort which is unmatched by any of its competitors. Second-hand versions of the latest generation CR-V, launched in 2023, can be found on AA Cars from just over £30,000.

Dacia’s Jogger takes the practical people carrier ethos of the Ford Galaxy and adds a healthy dose of the WAV potential of the Citroën Berlingo – all for a fraction of the price of either. For those who don’t know their cars, Dacia is very much the Lidl or Aldi of the automotive world, offering cheap and cheerful motoring that delivers for anyone on a budget. The seven-seat Jogger offers up to 700 litres of boot space, which heads into the thousands by folding away – or completely removing – the second row. What really sets the Jogger apart is that dedicated WAV conversions are now available in the UK, including lowered-floor models with manual rear ramps, wheelchair restraint systems and reconfigurable mid-row seating. Its tall roofline and wide-opening tailgate also mean access is easier than in many small MPVs, making it ideal for wheelchair users. Being a Dacia, this is all available at bargain-basement prices, with costs for a new Jogger beginning at as little as £18,995. Meanwhile, WAV-converted examples are available via the Motability Scheme with an advance payment which tends to be between £5,500 and £7,000. While the Jogger cannot deliver the same level of tech and style as some of the other options, it delivers magnificently when it comes to practicality and cost.