Although there are numerous options that work well, many would argue that the Subaru Forester is the SUV that’s the easiest to get into and out of. The design of the Forester hits that perfect middle ground where it’s high enough from the ground that you don’t have to bend low to get in, but also not too high where you need a step ladder. Whether you have short legs, deal with chronic back pain and stiffness, or need a vehicle that can be outfitted with special mobility and accessibility equipment, there are many options available when looking at used SUVs for sale.
Narrowing down your options and choosing exactly the right one isn’t always easy, however, so I’m going to take you through some of my top picks in terms of getting in and out of your vehicle. It’s worth noting that there are plenty of great options out there beyond what we’ll look at. For one thing, I’m going to focus on SUVs just to keep things simple. Numerous cars are designed in a way that makes them easy to get in and out of, including some surprising options like the Dodge Charger, but considering how popular and easy-to-find SUVs are when shopping used models, we’ll stick with a narrow focus for now.
The Subaru Forester
One of the most popular SUVs on the road in general, and a great choice for ease of accessibility, is the Subaru Forester. This is a compact crossover model, so you don’t have to worry about it riding particularly high and feeling the need to use climbing equipment to get into your SUV. Similarly, since it has a sporty design with a bit of an off-road flair, it still rides higher than a lot of other models, so it’s easy to step into it rather than having to bend low.
Of particular note is that the Forester has had advanced safety features on it for many years, with it as a standard feature for some time now. This means you’ll find a lot of these great systems on used Forester models out there, which opens up your options quite a bit while shopping. Subaru also has an excellent Mobility Assist Program (many manufacturers do, actually), which reimburses buyers who need vehicle modification for accessibility. This doesn’t directly benefit you when shopping for used models, but it can make it easier to find pre-owned Subaru Foresters with pedal extensions, steering devices, and other modifications.
The Jeep Renegade
You might not expect a Jeep to be a great option for ease of access, but the subcompact Renegade is actually a solid choice with this in mind. The Renegade is a pretty affordable option in Jeep’s lineup, which means you can save some money on it while shopping used, and its height is well-balanced for getting in and out. You can find used models with features like lumbar support in the seating, which can be great if you have chronic back pain, as well as heated seats and much more. Jeep falls under the FCA DriveAbility Program that reimburses drivers who need to make modifications, so used Renegades can feature things like ramps, running boards, and driving controls.
The Kia Soul
The Kia Soul has large doors that make it particularly easy to get into––all too often, you find small doors in vehicles that make things tricky if maneuvering is difficult for you. It also has a nice, big interior that makes it ideal if you need to store a wheelchair or other equipment or simply for loading up everything you need to enjoy the weekend. The only real downside is that Kia doesn’t have a mobility reimbursement program here in the US. You might still find some used models with aftermarket accessories on them, but other brands can be easier to get.
The Ford Escape
If you’re a fan of Ford models, then the compact crossover Escape is a great one to look for. This model has a low step-in height that’s well balanced between being too low or too tall, which makes it quite easy to get in and out of. It offers plenty of room inside to store anything you need, and the sliding second-row seats make it a great option if you have passengers who might also struggle with mobility. Like many other manufacturers, Ford has the Ford Mobility Program that offers reimbursements for customers, so you can find Escape models with a wide range of accessories on them while shopping used.
The Acura RDX
While you might not necessarily have luxury at the forefront while shopping, the Acura RDX is a great option if you want a premium SUV that’s easy to get in and out of. This is a compact model with a great ride height for accessibility, plus it has plenty of room inside; the legroom, in particular, is quite impressive with this model. Advanced safety features have been plentiful on the RDX for many years now, so you’ll find a lot of used models with impressive technology that can make driving easier if you have limited mobility. You’ll find used models with accessories to improve mobility and accessibility on them, thanks to the Acura Mobility Program.
The Nissan Rogue
You might’ve noticed a trend on this list so far: the vast majority of these models are compact and subcompact––larger SUVs are typically a lot more challenging to get in and out of––and this next pick is no different. A personal favorite, and one of the most popular SUVs on the road, the Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover model with plenty of room inside. The Rogue has plenty of room inside for passengers and cargo alike, plus it has a wide range of safety features on it to help with increased visibility and safety when you’re behind the wheel. Nissan also has the Nissan Mobility Assist Program that reimburses costs for accessibility modifications, so you’ll find Rogue models with things like hand controls, lifts, and more.
The Honda CR-V
One of the most popular SUVs on the road, the Honda CR-V is a compact crossover that’s well-designed with plenty of room inside. Ride height with this model is excellent, so it’s easy for anyone to get in and out of. Plus, it is well known for having great handling and maneuverability, making it easy to drive. Since this is such a popular model, you’ll also find plenty of them out there when shopping used, and there is a wide range of different CR-Vs on the market. Like many other brands, Honda has the Customer Mobility Assistance Program to reimburse drivers for accessibility equipment, so you’ll find plenty of pre-owned models with great features.
SUVs Are Great for Getting In and Out Of
It can be annoying to try to find a vehicle that is easy to get into and out of, especially when you have difficulty with mobility. That’s why we recommend checking out subcompact and compact SUVs like the ones we have listed above. This vehicle class is taller than sedans yet shorter than trucks, so you don’t have to stoop down or climb up to get into them. Also, many of the vehicles we have mentioned come with access to different brand mobility assistance programs, so if you do need to make accommodations, you can without suffering too much in the cost department.
