Choosing a new Motability car is an incredibly important decision. You need to take lots of factors into consideration to make sure you pick the right type of car for your unique needs.
Yet, with all the cars on offer, this process can sometimes become both confusing and overwhelming. Just how do you make sure you’re making the right choice?
Well, firstly, make a list of everything you’d like to use your car for, as well as how many people will regularly use it. You should also consider how parking is at your home, and whether you’ll need space for any aids you need.
Once you’ve made a checklist of everything you’d like or need from your car, simply match it to the type of car that ticks the most boxes on the list.
Manufacturers often try and give very similar types of cars different names. For example, what used to be called an estate car could now also be referred to as a shooting brake, tourer, sports tourer or an avant. Here, we'll simply split the different car types into Small, Medium, Large, Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV).
City Car, Super Mini
Smaller cars are perfect for people in busy cities and towns due to the fact that they are easier to park. Also known as super minis or city cars, there’s usually a limited amount of space in the back seats for passengers and in the boot for shopping, luggage or storing a mobility aid.
Despite this common space issue, small cars are incredibly popular on our roads, with just about every driver having, at some stage, been the owner of a small car. These are popular Motability cars as they are easy to drive and tend to be economical, however, if you have older children, a car like this might be too small for your needs.
Family Hatchback, Sportback
For those who would like a small car for their ease of driving and parking, yet need more space in their car, a medium-sized car is usually a great compromise.
True, these are still small when compared to an SUV, MPV or estate car, so may not be suitable for disabled drivers who need to transport a wheelchair or people with a large family, but they are very useful for those needing a little more boot space, leg room and engine power than a small car can provide.
Family Saloon, Gran Tourer, Tourer, Estate, Shooting Brake, Avant
People with children, large mobility aids or perhaps a mix of both are going to want a bigger car. Larger cars provide more space and storage, and many will be able to accommodate things like mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
The downside here is that larger cars can be harder to park, needing more space. So, if you live on a particularly busy street or have difficulty parking, you may want to choose a smaller car. You could make parking much easier by choosing a Motability car with front and rear parking sensors. Some Motability cars even come with parking cameras as standard. Larger cars also tend to be less economical on the road, so you may need to bear that in mind when shopping around for your next car.
Estate cars are just longer versions of medium and large saloon and hatchbacks, providing much more room in the boot.
Crossover, 4x4
Perhaps the most popular car type on the road at the moment, SUVs are larger cars with a higher driving position, a more rugged appearance and lots of storage space. This makes them particularly good family cars and a great choice for people who need plenty of room. The higher driving position also suits many people who find it difficult to sit in a low position.
Many of these cars come with flexible and foldable rear seats, ideal for people who need to transport scooters and wheelchairs. On the negative side, their larger size makes them harder to park and drive. Again, parking sensors and cameras can help drivers to park these larger cars safely into tight spaces.
People Carrier, SpaceTourer
As SUVs grow in popularity, the demand for traditional MPVs has declined in recent years as people increasingly opt for vehicles with similar levels of practicality but a more rugged appearance. Still, the advantage of a MPV over a traditional hatchback is clear, with a higher roofline, raised seating, large windows and much more interior space. MPVs can often be ordered through Motability with 7 seven flexible seats, and the fact that getting in and out of the car is much easier means these practical and spacious cars remain a popular choice for Motability drivers.
Every person is different, so while it’s ok to take advice from friends and family it’s important to take into account your own needs first. Weigh up what you need most from a car, and choose the one that provides you with the most support.
