Car measurement guide (view report contents)
Key measurements: getting in and out
This section contains information on
sill height
door opening angle
size of door opening
dashboard and fascia
space around the seat
edge of the seat to ground
headroom
door and grab handles
Sill height
Lifting your legs or dragging a wheelchair over a high sill can be difficult. The factsheets give measurements of the distance from
- the top of the sill to the ground
- the top of the sill to the floor of the car.
These measurements will be less when you park by a kerb.
Door opening angle
Wider opening doors give you more space to get onto the seat and swing your legs in. This door opening angle can be very important to some people who transfer from a wheelchair.
Some doors open wide, but have protruding door pockets which reduce the room there is to manoeuvre into the car. The door opening angles in the factsheets are taken from the door pocket to give you an idea of how much actual space there is.
Doors that open very wide are harder to reach and close once in the car. Some people overcome this by closing them with a walking stick or other device.
Size of door opening
Which cars you will find easier to get in and out of will depend on the shape and size of the door and on your ability to duck and bend.
We’ve measured the width of the door at the bottom and in the middle. The height was measured 200mm and 400mm from the B-post (the door pillar just behind the seat). If the corners were curved, we measured at a point just after the curve.
The pictures of the car should also help you judge if the shape of the door will suit you.
Dashboard and fascia
Low, protruding dashboards can get in the way. The factsheets tell you
- how far the dashboard sticks out beyond the door
- the height of the most protruding part from the sill.
If you need lots or footroom when getting in avoid cars with low, dashboards that stick out into the car. Low dashboards in cars which have high door sills can also be difficult.
Note
Separate measurements are given for the driver’s and passenger’s side, as the dashboards are often a different shape on each side.
Space around the seat
We have taken various measurements to give you an idea of how much space there is around the seat.
Back of seat to A post
The A post is the pillar at the front of the car, attached to the windscreen. This measurement gives an idea of how much room there is to swing your legs in when sitting in the car. Measurements were taken
- with the seat fully back, at its lowest position with the back upright.
- from the back of the seat 100mm above the seat squab (the part you sit on). Distances in red are to the dashboard when it was low enough to get in the way of your feet.
Seat to sill.
The distance from the edge of the seat to the outside of the sill. This is the gap you have to get across when you transfer from a wheelchair. Some people who use walking sticks put their stick between the seat and the side of the car, and so look for a fairly wide gap. This distance was measured
- 300mm from the back of the seat, with the seat in its lowest and in its middle fore/aft position.
Seat edge to A post or door
This is the maximum room there is between the seat and the door or door post at foot level. Taken
- horizontally, from the top corner of the seat to the door frame or door, whichever was the closest.
- with the seat at its lowest, fully forward and fully back
- if the fascia stuck out beyond the door frame the measurement was taken to a point just below it
Note
Separate measurements are given for the driver’s seat, as it is often more adjustable.
Seat back to steering wheel
The space you have for getting in and out can be restricted by the steering wheel.
The measurements given represent the horizontal distance from the point on the lower rim of the steering wheel that is closest to the driver to the back of the seat.
- minimum - taken with the seat fully forward, in its highest position and with the steering wheel set as near to the driver as possible.
- maximum taken with the seat fully back, in its lowest position and with the steering wheel set back as far from the driver as possible.
Seat squab to steering wheel
This is the distance between the edge of the front of the seat to the bottom of the steering wheel. It tells you how much room there is for your legs underneath the wheel.
- 1 maximum.The seat set at its lowest position and as far back as it goes. The steering wheel is set back as far from the driver as possible
- 2. Settings are the same as for 1, except that the seat is set at its highest position.
- 3 minimum. The seat is at its highest and fully forward. The steering wheel is set as near to the driver as possible.
Edge of seat to ground
Some people prefer a high seat and others a low one. Some wheelchair users want a seat that is at the same height as the one on their wheelchair.
- Seat edge heights were measured from the highest part of the seat (usually the wing) to the ground
- We did not compress the seat when taking this measurement so you should allow a bit for play
- If the seat height was adjustable the lowest and highest positions are given.
Note
Separate measurements are given for the driver’s seat, as it is often more adjustable
Headroom
Some people have difficulty getting into cars with low doors. Some find there is not enough headroom inside. The factsheets give two measurements:
- When getting in. The distance from highest point at the edge of the seat to the top of the door
- When inside. The distance from the seat squab (100mm from the back) to the roof. Figures in blue are to the car’s sunroof. The seat was in its
- lowest position middle fore/aft position
- without compressing the seat cushion
Note
Separate measurements are given for the driver’s seat, as it is often more adjustable.
Door and grab handles
The design of the door handle is important to some people and many people
use the grab handle above the seat when getting in or out.
Use the following key to find the design most likely to suit you.
Interior door handle
Og open grip
Ogs open grip, sprung
Fp finger pocket
Roof grab handle
Og open grip
Ogs open grip, sprung
LHS left hand side
RHS right hand side
Note
Separate information is given for the driver’s side
Seat back adjustment
Many people adjust the angle of the back of the seat when getting in or out, or if getting a wheelchair in through the front doors.
Use the following key to find the design most likely to suit you.
K wheel
L lever
ec electric
LHS left hand side
RHS right hand side
Both control on both sides
Note
Separate information is given for the driver’s side.
Report Contents
How to use this guide
Choosing a car - search tool
Choosing a car - all the car factsheets
Key measurements - getting in and out
Key measurements - getting a wheelchair
in
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