Which petrol auto car enables easy access for a disabled person?

My husband is disabled. We are driving a 2009 Ford Fusion 1.4 diesel, and are now looking to buy a similar sized car but with a petrol engine and automatic gearbox. What in your opinion would be the best and most economical buy?

Asked on 8 April 2012 by AA, via email

Answered by Honest John

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is the sweetest, most relaxing small car of all to drive, with optional height-adjustable front seats. Alternatively, a Honda Jazz 1.4 ES CVT-7, Hyundai ix20 1.6 auto, a KIA Venga 1.6 auto or a Toyota Verso S Multidrive S. These are all tested at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/ and detailed at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/.

The KIA Venga and Hyundai ix20 are basically the same, with different trim details and different warranties. Or wait for the new Ford B-Max Powershift automatic, arriving in September.

Tags: automatics disabled drivers petrol engines ease of access

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Related models

Honda Jazz (2008 - 2015)

Neatly styled. Increased room and better performance than original Jazz. better to drive. Very versatile. CVT-7 returned in February 2011 replacing i-SHIFT. More reliable than first generation Jazz.

Kia Venga (2010 - 2019)

Spacious back seats and wide-opening doors. Easy to drive and park. Good visibility. Decent boot capacity.

Hyundai ix20 (2010 - 2018)

Cheap to run. Good visibility. Plenty of rear passenger and boot space. Better engines and transmissions in 2016.

Toyota Verso S (2011 - 2013)

Upright seats. Practical interior. Touch screen system with reversing camera and £500 optional sat nav.

Toyota Yaris (2011 - 2020)

Fairly big boot by class standards, tempting hybrid option, Toyota has an epic reliability record.

Ford B-MAX (2012 - 2017)

Sliding side doors and no central pillar mean unimpeded access. Five star Euro NCAP rating. Engines include 1.0 litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol. Decent drive.