[shaan200]

Hi all,

 

I’m trying to find the most suitable car on the Motability scheme for my situation and would really appreciate some advice from people who’ve been through similar setups.

 

I’ll mostly be driving myself, but I do also travel regularly with my carer. I use hand controls, so ease of driving and a well-thought-out cabin layout are important as well.

 

The main challenge is around my wheelchair and hoist setup. I use a powered chair (Quickie Q100R – around 110kg), so I’ll need a hoist in the 120–150kg range. Because of that, the boot isn’t just about litres – it needs to have the right shape, depth and clearance for both the hoist and the chair, ideally without having to position everything perfectly every time.

 

I’m specifically looking for:

 

– fully electric only

– automatic (obviously)

– SUV or smaller (don’t want a van)

– a boot that works properly with a hoist (including arm movement and fixings)

– ideally keeping rear seats usable

– powered tailgate preferred

– wide doors for easier access

 

Tech is also quite important to me. I’m particularly interested in:

 

– strong lane centering (including in slow traffic)

– adaptive cruise that can handle bends/roundabouts well

– a good 360 camera system / parking assist

– one-pedal driving and V2L would be nice bonuses, but not essential

 

One complication is parking. I have a fairly tight driveway (around 4.41m alongside another car), so I’d ideally like something on the more compact side. I can park on the street if needed, but that would make things more awkward day-to-day.

 

At the moment I’m finding that smaller cars seem appealing for size, but quickly become impractical once you factor in the hoist and chair. On the other hand, larger SUVs solve the space issue but can be more difficult to live with due to parking.

 

So I’m trying to find that middle ground:

something that actually works with a hoist and heavier chair, but isn’t unnecessarily huge.

 

If anyone has experience with similar setups (especially powered chairs + hoists), I’d really appreciate hearing what’s worked well – or just as importantly, what hasn’t.

 

Thanks

Topic

[kdwolf]

I don’t have direct answer for you,  but in my personal view skoda enyaq or Citroën e-C3 aircross are the most closest to your requirements on the scheme at the moment.

 

What will be your annual mileage? We have recently discussed that for those on low mileage there are better deals outside Motability.

Sent from a mobile device.
Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

Motability Skoda Enyaq SportLine 85x April 2024 (unhappy customer - Ombudsman pending)
Motability Mazda CX-60 PHEV July 2023 (unhappy customer - early termination on mechanical grounds)
Motability VW Touran Family Pack May 2019 (happy customer)

[shaan200]

My millage wont be alot likely under 10K a year. What other options are there that include adaptations?

[kezo]

Adapations would likely be a sticking point away from the scheme, due to damage they may cause to the vehicle when removed.

£759 AP Enyak would fit your needs except its about 4.6m in length.

Mum has Kona electric whichwill take hoist, but boots not the best shape- c4.3 to 4.4m in length, which is about the size, I’d say your after.

[shaan200]

Ah I meant thats the width of the drive. The kona sadly cant support the hoist as it needs to be a 120kg-150kg and the kona is max 100kg.

[kezo]

shaan200 wrote:

Ah I meant thats the width of the drive. The kona sadly cant support the hoist as it needs to be a 120kg-150kg and the kona is max 100kg.

The Enyak has a width of 1879mm

The boot dimensions with seats up 930mm x 965mm width at it narrowest point (1024mm maximum)

I think you would struggle with boot size on sub compact cars below 4.4/4.5m (L) without having a rear seat down however, it depends how your chair will fit and whether it will sit on its side length ways.

RIDC give measurements, but they are slow updating with newer cars. Autogefuel on Youtube always measure boots with tape measures or a least Thomas does. You are always welcome to ask on here if someone could measure their boot or if the dimmensions of your chair will fit and try to narrow down a list of cars to go and see.

@Jojoe might be in a better place to help than me 🙂

 

[Woodpecker]

What I did the last vehicle change. I took the cars on a test drive home to see how difficult or easy it was to reverse into my driveway.

Probably a good idea to try that. Some cars have good mirrors and cameras that assist in reversing. Some are bad.  Just test drive everything that suits you

[DumfriesDik]

The Enyaq is huge, no question it is a big car.

I know you said you do not want a van derivative, but it may suit you quite well, esp as you’re not doing thousands of miles. If I was you, I would check them out, nothing to lose like.

I hope you find what you are looking for.

Skoda Enyaq Race Blue

[shaan200]

So I spoke with an adapations provider the only one with the tech I want that can support such a big hoist is the enyaq. But thank you everyone.

I think ill go for thr sportline 85x maxx

[MFillingham]

shaan200 wrote:

So I spoke with an adapations provider the only one with the tech I want that can support such a big hoist is the enyaq. But thank you everyone. I think ill go for thr sportline 85x maxx

If you can go for the 85x Maxx, can the EV5 GT Line take the hoist? That’s got a substantial boot and all the kit you need.

I'm Autistic, if I say something you find offensive, please let me know, I can guarantee it was unintentional.
I'll try to give my honest opinion but am always open to learning.

Mark

[shaan200]

I did look at it but the GT Line doesnt have 360 cameras

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by shaan200.

[LUFC]

shaan200 wrote:

So I spoke with an adapations provider the only one with the tech I want that can support such a big hoist is the enyaq. But thank you everyone. I think ill go for thr sportline 85x maxx

Exellent choice! I’m playing the waiting game now for mine.

[shaan200]

I am just sad as its 6 months potentially waiting for it so its quite a long way and its my first motability car so I have no way of getting round without it

[kezo]

Certainly go a test bedfore making final decision. Kia EV5 has similar sized boot and is worth a look, as Mark mentioned.

[shaan200]

I wouldnt get such a big car without having 360 i used to have an id4 that I struggled parking with only a reverse camera and the ev5 is bigger and wouldn’t have the 360 cameras.

[kezo]

shaan200 wrote:

I wouldnt get such a big car without having 360 i used to have an id4 that I struggled parking with only a reverse camera and the ev5 is bigger and wouldn’t have the 360 cameras.

Peugeot e5008 GT?

Edit: Did you chair fit in the id4?

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by kezo.

[shaan200]

The id4 never support the weight of hoist needed for the powerchair unfortunately.

[shaan200]

As an update I got the enyaq today sad its a 6 month wait but it was the best car for me in the end.

[kezo]

shaan200 wrote:

As an update I got the enyaq today sad its a 6 month wait but it was the best car for me in the end.

It might be worth asking around if any are in stock if you need it quick. Theres also the id5 which is equivulent to the Enyak. Not sure on AP or availability though.

[shaan200]

The id5 was a bit more in advance payment but wouldnt support the hoist the adaptations specialist said. The only suv type they said in the vw group that could support the 150kg is the enyaq.

Also I have to mention here for anyone considering/ needing a heavy hoist go with the jeff gosling ones, the Apex Assist ones are more compact.

[Author]

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