Determining the Best Wheelchair Vehicle for You

Compare the benefits and setbacks of purchasing a wheelchair accessible minivan, car, full size van, conversion van, truck, SUV, or motorcycle.

AMS Wheelchair Minivan

Pros: The most interior space, great gas mileage, ease of parking, extended 4" ramp to negate the need for a kneeling system, easy to transfer in/out of driver seat for wheelchair van drivers, indoor wheelchair storage, fast in/out with ramp for wheelchair passengers.Walkthrough seating is another bonus so people can move around the van without having to climb over seats. Sliding power doors make opening and shutting the door simple. Minivans offer a lower point of gravity than the SUV, so the chance of a rollover lessens. Minivans also have a higher weight capacity than an SUV. The biggest reason minivans stand out? Price. A wheelchair minivan is significantly less expensive than a full-size SUV with comparable interior space, and they are one of the least expensive vehicle classes to insure. The minivan also handles much more like a car than a truck.

Cons: Not available for extra wide (30"+) or extra tall (57"+) wheelchair users.

Mobility Cars

Pros: Mobility cars look great and have potentially better gas mileage to handicap accessible minivans. Parking is easy, and if you only need hand controls, you can drive sport cars

Cons: Often the entire trunk or back seat can be taken up by the wheelchair, and you can't just roll in and remain in the chair.

Full Size Handicap Van

Pros: Full size handicap vans offer a lot of interior space and are useful for extra large wheelchairs wider than 28" or weighing more than 500lbs with the chair and person combined. This is available with a raised roof or 6" lowered floor.

Cons: Full size vans are difficult to park due to their size, high gas prices, If the floor isn't lowered, then the wheelchair user can't see out the windows.

Wheelchair Conversion Van with Kneeling System

Pros: Optimal for tall wheelchairs with headrests exceeding 54" and wide wheelchairs exceeding 28". Vast interior space for storage or passengers.

Cons: High gas cost. Raised roof may not allow the vehicle to fit in your garage.

Disability Accessible Truck

Pros: Trucks are useful for persons that need to cart around a lot of equipment, hitches are available for use, and you won't look like a soccer mom if you live in Texas.

Cons: Expensive to convert, Transfer is done outside the vehicle while you are exposed to the heat or cold. Gas is expensive.

SUV

Pros: The SUV is great for style and interior space. The SUV is an off road vehicle with 4 wheel drive that is useful for extreme snow conditions.

Cons: Typically gas efficiency is not as great as mobility cars, minivans, and trucks. The transfer device is very expensive, and typically you won't have a ramp to easily enter and exit the vehicle.

Wheelchair Motorcycle

Pros: Easy access with drive in/out motorcycle seating, drive from your wheelchair

Cons: Driver and wheelchair are exposed to the weather, no storage space, no passenger room, not safe in case of accident, difficult to turn the motorcycle.

If you're still not sure if an AMS wheelchair van is right for you, consider our handicapped van rentals to try before you buy and help you decide. We're confident that you will love our mobility vans!