Choosing a car on the Motability Scheme often comes down to more than the drive itself. For many wheelchair users, the bigger question is a simpler one: how easily can you get in and out?
Our guide to the best Motability Scheme vehicles for wheelchair storage looked at boot space and folded chairs. This time we focus on the people who use these cars, and on the features that make transferring into a seat easier.
Seat height, door width and the space beside each seat all shape how accessible a car feels. Adaptations such as swivel seats and transfer plates can then do the rest.
With that in mind, here are five alternative Motability Scheme cars we offer at Vertu, chosen for easier access rather than luggage capacity.
Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai remains one of the most recommended cars on the Motability Scheme, and its appeal for wheelchair users is easy to understand.
Its raised driving position sits at a medium height. That places the seat closer to hip level, so you slide across rather than drop down or climb up.
The rear doors open close to a right angle, and the front seats stay clear and easy to reach. The Motability Scheme highlighted the Qashqai among its accessibility choices in 2026 (source to verify before publishing).
Access highlights for wheelchair users:
Medium seat height that suits sideways transfers
Wide-opening rear doors for clearer access
Light, responsive steering for tight car parks
Compatible with many popular adaptations, subject to a check
For drivers who want a familiar SUV with an accessible cabin, the Qashqai is a natural starting point.
Skoda Kamiq
Not everyone wants a large SUV, and the Skoda Kamiq offers easier access in a smaller, city-friendly package.
Vertu rates the Kamiq for easy access, thanks to its raised, SUV-style seating in a compact body. You gain the higher hip point without the taller step of a full-size SUV.
Its upright shape also creates useful door openings and good head clearance as you get in.
Access highlights for wheelchair users:
Raised seating at an easier transfer height
Compact footprint for tight streets and car parks
Upright doors with helpful head clearance
Light controls that keep town driving relaxed
For customers who find larger SUVs a stretch, the Kamiq balances height and manageability well.
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a mid-size SUV that pairs a comfortable seating height with plenty of room for adaptations.
Its seat sits at a medium height that suits many wheelchair users, and the doors open wide for clearer access. The cabin also leaves useful room beside each front seat.
That combination makes the Sportage a popular base for swivel seats and transfer plates, subject to a compatibility check with an installer.
Access highlights for wheelchair users:
Medium step-in height for easier transfers
Wide front doors and a roomy cabin
Space beside the seat for adaptation fitting
Hybrid options for lower running costs
For drivers who plan to add adaptations, the Sportage gives specialists plenty to work with.
Vauxhall Frontera
The Vauxhall Frontera brings raised, upright seating to a value-focused corner of the Motability Scheme.
Its boxy, tall body lifts the seat towards hip height and adds head clearance as you enter. The higher stance means less bending for many drivers and passengers.
As a newer arrival, exact adaptation options are worth confirming with a specialist before you order.
Access highlights for wheelchair users:
Upright body with a higher seating position
Good head clearance through the door opening
Simple, uncluttered cabin layout
A value-focused route onto the Scheme
For customers who want accessible height in a straightforward package, the Frontera is worth a look.
Explore Vauxhall Frontera range
Honda Jazz
For those who find SUVs too tall, the Honda Jazz takes a different route to easy access.
Honda designs the Jazz with a tall body, wide-opening doors and a seat set higher than a typical supermini. Its low, flat floor also shortens the reach across the sill.
The result is a small car you step into, rather than climb into or drop down towards.
Access highlights for wheelchair users:
Higher seat than most small cars
Wide doors with a low, flat floor
Compact size for easy parking
Self-charging hybrid for lower running costs
For drivers who prefer a smaller car without a low, awkward seat, the Jazz makes a strong case.
Explore Honda Motability Scheme range
Other Accessible Options to Consider
Several other cars on the Motability Scheme also suit wheelchair users, depending on how you transfer.
The Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail offer more room beside the seat, which helps when fitting a swivel seat or hoist. Both come with the option of seven seats.
The Vauxhall Mokka is worth a mention too. It loads without a boot lip, and some trims add a height-adjustable floor for extra flexibility.
Adaptations That Make Access Easier
The right car is only part of the picture. The Motability Scheme offers hundreds of adaptations, and some are fitted at no extra cost when you start your lease.
Access adaptations help you get in and out with less effort. Common options include:
Swivel seats that turn towards the door, and can lower or slide out to meet you
Transfer plates that bridge the gap between a wheelchair and the car seat
Person hoists that lift you gently into the seat using a fitted sling
Side steps that fold out to help you step up into larger vehicles
If you use a wheelchair full time, a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) lets you travel while seated in your chair. A swivel seat, by contrast, lets you sit up front beside the driver.
Before you order, book an adaptations review at a Driving Mobility centre. Their team assesses your needs and recommends what suits you. You can read more in our guide to Motability adaptations.
Accessible Motability Scheme Cars at a Glance
Each car suits a different need, so the right one depends on how you move and transfer. For a hands-on view, book an appointment at your local Vertu dealership and explore the cars with our Motability Scheme experts.
Top options for easier access include:
Nissan Qashqai – a mid-size SUV with a medium seat height
Skoda Kamiq – raised seating in a compact, city-friendly body
Kia Sportage – roomy doors and space for adaptations
Vauxhall Frontera – upright seating in a value-focused package
Honda Jazz – a smaller car with a higher, easier seat
What to Look for in an Accessible Motability Scheme Car
Seat height matters most for many wheelchair users. A seat near hip level lets you transfer sideways, rather than dropping down or climbing up.
Door width comes next. Wider openings, and doors that swing close to a right angle, give you room to position a wheelchair alongside.
The space beside the seat also counts, especially if you plan to add a swivel seat or transfer plate.
A test transfer tells you far more than figures alone. So spend time in each car before you decide.
Who Can Join the Motability Scheme?
To lease through the Motability Scheme, you receive the higher or enhanced rate mobility part of a qualifying allowance, with at least 12 months remaining.
The four qualifying allowances are:
If you qualify, the lease covers servicing, repairs, tax and insurance, so you only pay for fuel or charging.
Find Your Accessible Motability Scheme Car
Every wheelchair user has different needs, and the right car reflects them. Our Motability Scheme colleagues can talk you through access, adaptations and eligibility at your own pace.
Browse our full range of Motability Scheme cars, or book an appointment at your local Vertu dealership to try each car for yourself.
- Nissan
- Vauxhall
- Honda
- Motability
- Skoda
- Kia