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Best Vehicles for Shorter Drivers

160 messages,  Last post on Feb 16, 2009 at 11:34 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Mazda MAZDA3, MINI Cooper, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon

Read the Top 10 Vehicles for Shorter Drivers article and tell us what you think!

Messages Page 13 of 16

#121 of 160 Another suggestion for Lois9 by vkwheels

Mar 11, 2002 (5:02 pm)

I test drove the Matrix in which you sit a little higher than normal but not as high as a SUV type of car. It might be easier for an elderly person to get in & out off. Don't know if a wheelchair would fit, but it is a very roomy car, with a nice smooth ride. I tested the XR, which is the middle model.

#122 of 160 Minivan by risa5

Mar 12, 2002 (9:14 am)

I'm 5'0" and I drive an Elantra GT now; however, I can say from experience that a Dodge Caravan and the other Chrysler minivans are very good for petite women. My parents owned one for many years and I usually got driving duty. You get an excellent view of the road from all sides. Ours didn't have the adjustable pedals, but I still had no problems reaching the pedals. The worst vehicles for petite women have got to be those tall SUVs. My brother has a Dodge Durango and, even with footboards, it's really awkward to get in and out.

#123 of 160 Forester by suzzann

Mar 13, 2002 (6:52 am)

I'm happy with mine.

#124 of 160 Tall vehicles by mtngal

Mar 13, 2002 (7:15 am)

I have a Wrangler with 30" wheels (it's taller than many) and have no problems getting in unless I'm wearing a tight skirt. Since I don't own a dress or skirt that fits me at the moment, I don't worry about that!
 
My elderly mother, who probably couldn't get in my Wrangler, had no problems with a Blazer we rented. I didn't have any trouble driving it either.

#125 of 160 Wife's Choice by eeel

Dec 06, 2003 (11:36 am)

My wife is 5 feet 1 inches tall. She picked a Chrysler Concorde and loves it. We've had it for almost 2 years now. Can't get much bigger than that. Her other car is an Eagle Vision.

#126 of 160 by anonymousposts

Dec 15, 2003 (9:28 pm)

I am 5'2 and have found that Hondas are a better fit than most because of their lower dash. I have a 2004 Accord right now and it's a perfect fit for me and my 6'6 husband.

#127 of 160 by mtngal

Dec 16, 2003 (10:37 pm)

Hondas do seem to work well for petite people. My husband and I both liked our test drive of the Honda Element, and I didn't have a problem when we test drove the insight a couple of years ago.
 
I do find that I'm too close to the steering wheel with my Tacoma, but at least I can see over the dash.
 
I recently test drove the new Ford F150 and loved the adjustable pedals. It is now on my list of possible (though might not be practical) replacements for the Tacoma.

#128 of 160 by anonymousposts

Dec 18, 2003 (5:09 pm)

The Element was VERY high on our shopping list. Actually, the day we bought the Accord we had gone with the intention of buying a Element. Didn't like the power of the 4WD automatic though compared to the 5-speed 03 Accord I was trading so we ended up with the 04 Accord automatic. The Element was very comfortable for both of us and was one of the very few cars we have ever been in that he could comfortable fit in the back seat of with extra leg room.

#129 of 160 New Article... by Car_man HOST

Mar 25, 2004 (8:06 am)

Edmunds.com just published the following new article that many of you who visit this discussion may find interesting: Top 10 Vehicles for Shorter Drivers. Please feel free to use this area to post your thoughts on the vehicles that are mentioned in this article or to make your own suggestions.
 
Car_man
Host
Smart Shoppers / FWI Message Boards

#130 of 160 Just picked up a 2004 Accord by slorenzen

Apr 23, 2004 (10:51 am)

Ex-V6 for my very petite wife(4'11", 90 lbs, wears a size 2?). We tested the Camry and Mazda6 as well, but overall the Accord was best. We found the seat bottom in cloth is 1-1.5" longer than the leather-equipped car, so we ended up with the EX.
 
BTW: the Mazda was by FAR the most fun to drive, but she got a backache after 45 minutes....sigh...

Messages Page 13 of 16

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