At the moment, the market for wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) is nowhere near as large as that of other vehicles. It is growing though, as many of the major car manufacturers have at least one WAV on the market.
A lot of factors will impact your decision when it comes to choosing a new or used WAV, and it is important to be aware of the options available. Here are some of the best wheelchair accessible vehicles that are available to buy or lease on the current market.
Fiat Doblo Festival
The Fiat Doblo Festival is a stylish and highly practical WAV. It uses the original design and simply incorporates accessibility features with a low, lightweight ramp at the rear, wheelchair restraints, lap and diagonal seatbelts for added safety. Small enough to navigate small streets and car parks, it’s great for urban driving.
Ford Connect Freedom
A similar size and style to the Fiat Doblo, Ford’s Connect Freedom WAV features an easy access ramp and all the Ford hallmarks you’d expect. It is an efficient vehicle, delivering up to 56 mpg and the TCDi 1.5 litre diesel engine is renowned for its quiet ride. Again, best for short trips and urban driving.
Renault Master
A much larger WAV, bordering on minibus size, the Renault Master can seat up to six people along with accommodating a wheelchair. This makes it a great choice for bigger families, driving holidays and long journeys. Access is again from the rear via an automatic tail lift. A powerful 1.6 litre turbodiesel engine means it won’t struggle when traversing even the steepest climbs.
Peugeot Boxer Spirit
The Peugeot Boxer Spirit has been adapted from the original Spirit model to suit a number purposes for wheelchair users. Incredibly spacious, there is room for a combination of up to two wheelchairs at a time and eight seated passengers. Big families and groups will love this vehicle and can find one with a seating combination that suits their needs well.
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi
Stylish and uncompromising, the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi offers easy access from the side with a sliding door, or rear thanks to its lowered floor. A driver, four passengers and one wheelchair user can all be accommodated at the same time and it runs at an impressive 53.3mpg. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available too.
Decide which of these WAVs will suit your requirements and style best before buying your next wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
