Our Picks for the 7 Best Cars for Short People
Photo by Chase Baker on Unsplash
Driving an ill-fitting car as a short person can be uncomfortable. Your feet don’t quite reach the pedals, you have to sit way too far forward in the seat, and you can barely see over the steering wheel.
Luckily, it’s easy for short drivers to find a car that fits them perfectly, if they know what they’re looking for. The best cars for short people will not only be safe and easy to drive, but also comfortable and convenient.
CoPilot is a personal car buying expert designed to help you find the right vehicle for you - no matter how tall (or small!) you may be. So if you’re under 5’4’’, listen up! Here is our list of best cars for short people.
Subaru Forester - new from $24,795
Every list of best cars for short people you look at has the Subaru Forester at the very top - so we’re going to follow suit. Because it’s true! The Forester made its debut in 1998, and has been a fan favorite ever since, among both short and tall drivers.
It’s a fun and cool adventure car with an accessible and “cozy” interior that still has room for all your friends, animals, and luggage. Adjust the seat and steering column for a perfect fit, then sit back and enjoy the Subaru’s excellent fuel economy and 182 horsepower.
One of the main reasons the Forester tops our list is its stellar visibility rating. Big windows and a low dashboard allows short drivers a near-360 degree view of the scenery and (more importantly) what’s going on around you in traffic. A low hatch gate also lets you easily take full advantage of the vehicle’s 74.3 square feet (max) of cargo volume.
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BMW 7 Series - new from $89,800
Just because you’re short, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a high-class vehicle. The 7 Series is definitely one of the more expensive examples on this list, but if you’ve got the funds for it, we think it’s worth every penny.
Surprisingly sensible for a luxury supercar, the 2021 7 Series ranks only number 4 in its category behind other faster, more ostentatious vehicles. But it gets the blue ribbon for being the best supercar for short drivers. A standard “punchy” 6 cylinder engine will have you racing down the road from the comfort of your leather-clad, tech-addled, and high-visibility interior. And parking assist on new models means you can easily squeeze into narrow parking spaces easily.
Honda Odyssey - new from $31,790
Short carpool drivers rejoice! The Odyssey is the best height-friendly people-mover there is. This minivan comes standard with an “eight way power-adjustable driver’s seat” for a truly customizable ride that will make you feel like this vehicle was made for you.
And if you want to spring for a pricier model, you can get even comfier with adjustable lumbar support. You can even make a default setting so that your seat returns to optimum adjustments at the click of the button after teaching your tall kid to drive in this car.
The Odyssey is also easy to get in and out of with low gate and doors, making it one of the more accessible options on the market.
Ford Expedition - new from $49,025
A big, big car that works for short drivers? Yes please! The Expedition is another vehicle generously offering super-adjustable seating and a “tilt-and-telescoping wheel” to accommodate drivers of all shapes and sizes.
You can even ask for power-adjustable pedals! You’ll never have to drive on tip-toe ever again. Optional running-boards will additionally make it much easier for you to enter this mountainous SUV.
The Expedition’s enormous windows offer you an optimal view of the road, regardless of your stature. But the Ford’s safety features don’t stop at great visibility. The optional Co-Pilot 360 Suite comes complete with assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts to help you stay as safe as possible.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
Toyota Tundra - new from $33,825
The best truck for short drivers is the Tundra. It’s no smaller than the competition, with a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. And it can tow up to 10,200 pounds making it super-capable as a work vehicle or if you just happen to like being the person that helps your friends move all the time.
The Tundra is a straight-forward truck with a minimalist interior. But it still has wide-ranging adjustable seating that lets you get cozy with the steering wheel and shift the seat back for maximum comfort and visibility. Reviewers do say that you have a harder time seeing the nose of the truck if you’re under 5’3’’, but the 2021 Tundra makes up for this with features like forward-collision warning and optional parking assist.
Honda Accord - new from $24,970
Blind spot monitoring is optional for the new Accord, because why would you need one with that panoramic view from the driver’s seat? (We won’t judge if you opt for it. We would.)
Visibility is the main idea with the new Accord - but other features demonstrate that Honda had accessibility in mind when creating the latest edition of this time-tested vehicle. This car has a 12-way power-adjusted driver’s seat to help make your ride as comfortable and ergonomic as possible.
The ever-practical Honda has a highway MPG rating of 38, but don’t think that means you’re not allowed to have fun in this vehicle. Choose the Sport or Sport Special Edition to get Sport Mode and paddle shifters. Or, go for the EX-L for luxurious features like auto-dimming rear view mirror (and blind-spot monitoring!)
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Porsche Cayman - new from $59,900
Sports cars are notorious for having poor visibility and gigantic blind spots. But not the Cayman - this little vehicle provides you with all the fun and action of a racing vehicle while sacrificing none of the safety features found on more pragmatic cars.
Big windows and a wide windshield make up for the loss of perspective you get while sitting in this low-riding vehicle. Lane-change assist also lets you know if there’s another vehicle in your way before you merge.
The benefit to the Cayman’s height is that you’ll have no trouble getting in or out. Plus, as an added bonus, you’ll feel tall standing next to it - this Porsche is just 51 inches in height.
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