Mobility Issues? Here Are the Easiest Cars to Get In and Out of

Top of door height and slope. Stockburger notes that a tall door opening, and one that is flat at the top — as opposed to angled downward — allows entering and exiting with less ducking and stooping. Low-slung sports cars, two-door coupes, and even some four-door sedans will typically have lower and more acutely-angled openings. Boxier SUVs and crossovers will have higher and more gracious openings.

Base height/thickness. Snyder warns older drivers to pay attention to how high the floor of a car is above the ground, and how thick the saddle — the base of the door frame — is. These influence how high and how far one has to lift one’s legs and body to step into the car. Big, truck-based SUVs are high and have thick rails, so may offer more challenges than lower sedans or compact crossovers.

Steering wheel reach. Snyder says to be mindful of how far a steering wheel may intrude into the passenger compartment, as maneuvering around it when entering or exiting the vehicle incorporates additional motions and potential strain. Look for cars that automatically power the steering wheel up and in toward the dashboard when they are turned off, and then return the wheel to a pre-set driving-ready location when the car is started.

Tips on how to make getting in and out of any car easier 

Invest in a car door assist handle. This portable aftermarket tool is available for around $10-$15 from a broad range of manufacturers and is Lewis’ most highly recommended accessory. It slides into the striker plate — that high-strength metal loop on the inside of your car’s door jamb — and it gives you something else to hold on to beyond the grab handle, says Lewis.

Swivel when you are getting into the seat. Instead of trying to place a foot into the footwell first, sit down into the seat first, then swivel your legs around and in. Reverse this process when exiting. “This keeps you more stable and gives you the option to help support your legs with your arms if there’s weakness there,” Lewis says. Padded round lazy Susan-like swivel seat cushions are available for purchase to ease this process. But remember to remove them before driving, as they don’t attach permanently to the car seat, and can cause issues while driving, or in case of an accident.

Practice your balance. Lewis suggests regularly practicing getting up and down from a chair, and performing balance exercises, like these suggested by the AARP.  “Balance is quite important,” he says.

Take your time. If you have low blood pressure or take medication that lowers your blood pressure, take your time in getting in and out of the car so you don’t get dizzy or worn out. “Just like getting in and out of bed,” Lewis says.

Provide back support. If you’re prone to back pain, Lewis says, ensure you have lower back support so that you do not exacerbate it while driving, causing pain or seizing when you are exiting the vehicle. “That might mean adjusting the car seat, or getting a separate lumbar pillow,” Lewis says.

The best car models for older adults 

The best cars for older adults with mobility issues are all car-based SUVs (also called crossovers) according to Consumer Reports.

Honda was the big winner, scoring a top pick in four of the six car size categories: small SUV (Honda CRV) mid-size SUV (Honda Pilot), minivan (Honda Odyssey), and sedan (Honda Accord.)

The Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Buick Enclave also got high marks in their respective size categories.

Minivans like the Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, and Toyota Sienna also received favorable ratings. Larger, full-size SUVs often require a challenging step height for entering and exiting, but if you need a larger SUV, the best ones for older adults with mobility issues are the Kia Telluride, Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse.