One common appeal of SUVs is that their taller ride height and higher roofline make them easier to get into and out of. But some SUVs—especially full-sized models—require a large step up, and some stylish, curved rooflines can require passengers to duck to enter. That’s why you won’t see any of the largest SUVs on the market on our list.
In the list below (available to members), we present the easiest cars, SUVs, and minivans to get into and out of based on CR’s scoring. The models are ranked by their combined front and rear access scores within their category and are CR Recommended, factoring in road-test performance, reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety.
“When shopping for a car, pay attention to access for you and your family,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “Look for things like the height and shape of the roofline, the doorsill height and width, and toe room, combined with the more obvious seat height and door opening width. Ultimately, it’s important to visit the dealership and see how well a car fits your body.”
While not directly related to access, we also recommend buying a vehicle with blind spot warning (BSW), especially for drivers who may not have the range of motion in their neck to turn and directly see vehicles in their blind spot. If you want to make it even easier to get into and out of a car, check out CR’s guide to car accessibility.
