Passenger getting into 2016 Toyota Camry ・ Photo by Toyota
There are many reasons to buy a car that is easy to get in and out of, whether you are a parent who needs to regularly load and unload children; suffer from a disability; or are simply advancing in age. The main features that make a car easy to access include a low door sill, a large door opening, a seat that isn’t too low (or high) and maybe even a well-placed grab handle. All of the cars on this list meet at least of few of these criteria, and all have other features that make them worthy of consideration. Let’s take a look at the ten easiest cars to get in and out of.
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai has come a long way since its cars first arrived on our shores, and the Sonata is now one of the best mid-size cars in its class. It has a roomy interior with plenty of comfortable seating space (even in the rear), and the seats are easy to access. Cargo space is amongst the best in the class, though the opening is a bit small. Thanks to lots of sound deadening the interior is soothingly quiet, and the suspension provides a nice smooth ride, though one that isn’t particularly sporty. The Sonata is also available as a Hybrid or a Plug-in Hybrid model.
Photo by Hyundai
Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat is a family sedan that was designed especially for the American market, making it slightly larger and softer than the model sold elsewhere. The handling is quite good, the ride is comfortable, and the seats are nice and supportive. There is plenty of room front and rear, and ingress and egress are easy—though taller backseat passengers might need to watch their heads. The upgraded infotainment system works well, though the screen is on the small side. While the super-economical diesel isn’t available at the moment, the remaining engines still offer a choice between economy and power.
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size luxury car with comfortable seating for five and a pleasant interior. Thanks to its size and design, the 300 is one of the easiest cars to get in and out of—though as with many cars, rear seat passengers may find head space lacking. Though the Hemi V8 is powerful, the suspension is biased more towards a relaxed ride than performance, and if you’re looking for a sportier version of the 300 you might be disappointed as the SRT models are no longer available. All-wheel drive is still on the options list, but only with the V6 engine.
Photo by Chrysler
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a perennial leader in the mid-size class, and for good reason. The roomy interior is well-designed and easy to access with good rear seat space. The Camry’s controls are well thought out and easy to use, with physical buttons for most important tasks. The car drives better than it has in the past, but despite some ‘sporty’ options it’s not a corner-carving machine. The ride is nicely compliant (even with the sportiest suspension tuning), and most of the time the interior remains nice and quiet. A hybrid model is also available and makes use of Toyota’s Synergy Drive.
Photo by Toyota
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is a full-size car that is available with a wide selection of power levels, from a base V6 all the way up to a supercharged V8 that eclipses the 700 horsepower mark in top of the line SRT Hellcat models. The rear seat is a bit cramped compared to some of its competitors, but the Charger is easy to get in and out of and the interior is nice—though a bit monochromatic for our tastes. The non-SRT versions strike a good balance between comfort and handling, while SRT models are biased more towards performance. Chrysler’s Uconnect system remains one of the best and easiest to use in-car infotainment systems on the market.
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Infiniti Q70
The stylish Q70 is Infiniti’s mid-size luxury car, available in rear or all-wheel drive and with a V6 or V8 engine (or a hybrid with a V6 and an electric motor). The handling isn’t quite as good as you’d expect from a car with a ride as stiff as the Q70, but either engine is able to get the car moving quickly. The seats provide lots of head and leg room for all passengers, and entering and exiting the car is easy. For even more rear seat room (and bigger rear doors that should make access even easier), a long-wheelbase model is also available.
Photo by Infiniti
Lexus LS
The LS is Lexus’ top of the line, full-size luxury sedan. All models use a V8 engine, though the powerful hybrid LS 600h models get a slightly larger version paired with an electric motor for even more power. The car rides exceptionally well, the interior is sublimely comfortable, and the car is easy to get both in and out of. For those looking for a slightly friskier sedan an F Sport model is available with a sportier suspension and bigger brakes. On the other end of the spectrum is the long-wheelbase L models, with more seat room and even easier access.
Photo by Lexus
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size sedan that is available with a choice between an economical four-cylinder engine and a powerful V6, both of which are backed by a continuously variable transmission. The Altima isn’t quite as refined as some of its competitors, though the ride is quite comfortable and the addition of acoustic glass and extra sound deadening has made the cabin quieter than it was in the past. For those who want something a bit sportier, the SR model gets thicker sway bars and stiffer shocks. All Altimas feature easy access to some of the best seats in the class and make superb long-distance cruisers.
Photo by Nissan USA
Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a subcompact car that is remarkably easy to get into and out of. The interior is quite roomy front and back (especially with the rear Magic Seat folded down), though taller drivers might find their legs a bit cramped. The touchscreen audio controls can be finicky, but at least there are real buttons and knobs for the climate control system. Thanks to its small size and light weight the Fit is a nimble car, yet the ride is also fairly comfortable. There is only one engine, a small four-cylinder unit, but there is a choice between a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission.
Photo by Honda
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES is a large and comfortable front-wheel drive luxury sedan with no sporting pretensions. The V6 is smooth and makes good power, acceleration is decent and the handling is secure enough, but the ride quality is where this car really shines. The quiet interior matches the nature of the car, with easy ingress and egress, lots of room for passengers front and rear and a suitable luxurious design, though the Lexus Remote Touch control does require a bit of getting used to. A hybrid model is available for those who value fuel economy over trunk space (and a rear-seat pass-through).
Photo by Lexus
