WHICH CAR IS BEST FOR ACCESS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT?

QI have a permanently locked left knee as a result of a fall. We bought a wheelchair-accessible Peugeot Partner Tepee but as I have to use the chair to access it I sit at the back between the wheels, which is noisy and bumpy. In theory I could get into the front seat, but I am unable to access the Peugeot’s as the door is not wide enough to allow my foot past the bottom of the aperture. I have tried various friends’ cars but found none has a door opening that is wide enough. Any ideas?

– PF

A

There’s a brilliant online database of car measurements that’s invaluable – collated and provided free of charge by the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RIDC).

It takes all the measurements itself. One of those is of the space for your legs when climbing into the front passenger seat. And while not an exact science, this should give us a fairly good idea of which cars stand the best chance of working for you.

First up is the second-generation Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, with a measurement of 1,085mm. The Insignia isn’t the last word in plushness or pedigree, but it is comfortable. What’s more, this estate version has a huge boot that will swallow a wheelchair with ease.

Then there’s the Lexus ES300h. It’s a large, luxurious hybrid, so it’s quite expensive to buy, but it provides a passenger entry legroom measurement of 1,070mm. What’s more, one of the ES300h’s key benefits is its plush ride quality, while Lexus has one of the best reputations for reliability. The downside is that the ES300h only comes as a saloon, so it’ll be trickier to load your wheelchair into the boot.

Finally, there’s the latest BMW X3 (above). This is a mid-sized SUV, so it has a higher seating position that you might find easier to climb into than the Lexus or Vauxhall. With an entry legroom figure of 1,071mm, a large boot and hatchback tail, stowing your wheelchair should be a doddle. Opt for the SE version and avoid the M Sport model to get the most comfortable ride quality.