Being either above average tall or short presents a set of challenges for daily life. Whether it be shoe sizes or car sizes you need to make sure that both fit your everyday needs. They both need to be comfortable, good-looking, and spacious enough without costing obscene amounts of money.
However, short people benefit from cars that are easy to access, have lots of adjustability in both the seats and steering wheel department, and offer great all-around visibility. They also benefit from steering wheel controls, a power-operated tailgate, adjustable suspension and lots of grab handles, and potentially even running boards.
Most comfortable cars for short drivers
As such, the Hyundai Santa Fe might be a great option if you want a lightly used SUV that combines ergonomics and value perfectly. The Honda CR-V offers pretty much the same set of advantages which is also the case with the Subaru Forester. All three of these are also reliable, full of tech, and plenty spacious.
If you prefer sedans, be sure to check out the Toyota Camry. If you want a more compact SUV, the Mazda CX-30 is the one to go. The Dodge Ram 1500 is the best pickup truck for short people because it offers a lot of value for the money.
Best used cars for short people
1. Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is widely regarded as one of the best mid-size SUVs on the market because it offers superiority across the board. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, LED headlights, an 8-inch infotainment screen and lots of advanced driver assistance systems come as standard with the Santa Fe which means that finding a decently optioned example at the second-hand market is rather easy.
However, where the Santa Fe caters to shorter drivers is the driving position because it offers lots of adjustability both in the seats and in the steering wheel department. Hands-free power-operated tailgate, electronically operated steering wheel, lots of visibility and space make the Santa Fe a perfect choice for shorter drivers.
2. Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V has been the golden standard for a family SUV for decades now which means that the CR-V offers a great set of qualities that caters both to individuals and families alike. The CR-V offers a composed driving experience paired with lots of space, adjustability, and practicality.
The driving position can be altered specifically for shorter drivers and you can also position the steering wheel correctly as well. Reliability is superior with the CR-V which has been the case for decades now. Power-operated tailgate, lots of grab handles, running boards, easy access, and all-around visibility are all traits of the CR-V.
3. Toyota Camry
Creating a “best of” list of cars for any purpose is difficult without including at least a single Toyota model. This is because Toyota is a brand known for superior reliability, great value, and lots of ergonomic wizardries. This makes almost all Toyota models great all-around cars which also extends towards short driver needs.
As such, the Camry also offers lots of adjustability in the driving position while also being incredibly easy to access thanks to a fairly low doorsill. It comes as no surprise that the Camry is one of the best-selling mid-size sedans on the market considering what you get for your money.
4. Mazda CX-30
A crossover/compact SUV might as well be the best car segment for a shorter driver because it combines a higher driving position without being overly difficult to get into. As such, the Mazda CX-30 is the one to go because it offers a set of qualities most crossovers simply can’t match, not at this price category at least.
Mazda positions their cars with a sporty pedigree which is the truth with the CX-30. However, this does not mean that the CX-30 compromises driving position adjustability or any other trait of a great car for a shorter driver. Quite the contrary, the Mazda is available with all the aforementioned features besides running boards which are not necessary for this segment.
5. Dodge RAM 1500
Pick-up trucks are incredibly popular in the USA because they combine superior practicality with great value. They are the only type of car out there that can easily be both a working vehicle and a personal vehicle without making any adjustments. The seating position is plenty adjustable and the RAM 1500 also offers great all-around visibility.
Reliability is also fairly decent and so is the efficiency. The RAM 1500 can be had with lots of short driver-friendly features including both running boards and even power-adjustable pedals which is rarely the case in most cars. You can also get the 1500 with adjustable suspension and a power-operated tailgate which means that you can get all of the aforementioned short driver-friendly features with this truck.
Video: Top 5 Best used SUV for Short Drivers Review in 2022
FAQ Section
Is it more dangerous to drive a car as a short driver?
There are no specific differences as far as safety is concerned between tall and short drivers if both of them follow all the recommendations associated with the driving position. This means that you need to stay a fair bit behind the wheel in order not to risk unnecessary airbag injuries.
On the other hand, if you are tall you need to buy a car that fits your needs better which means that you should not buy a compact car and rob your rear passengers of well-deserved interior space because that can be a huge problem if an accident occurs.
How can I make a car more appropriate for a short driver?
As previously mentioned, the best thing you can do is to buy a car that offers the highest amount of short driver-friendly features. On the other hand, you can also invest in specific gadgets such as pedal extenders and all sorts of cushions which should help you get more comfortable behind the wheel.
However, you need to make sure that all of these gadgets are safe to use because you don’t want them to impair the car’s safety credentials.
Are SUVs better than cars for short drivers?
SUVs are usually known to offer more adjustability than most sedans and hatchbacks out there. They also offer features such as running boards which make them equally as accessible low-slung cars while retaining all the qualities of a raised-up driving position.
As such, an SUV is almost always a better choice for a shorter driver because it’s way easier to get comfortable in one no matter how you look at it.
