Visibility is of absolute importance when driving. But too many cars make life tough for shorter drivers, particularly women. Here's a list of ten cars the shorter driver can love, with the emphasis on visibility, comfort, and ease of access.
Although it offers few frills on the inside, a tall cabin design and great sightlines make this inexpensive five-door hatchback worth a look.
Available as a sedan or five-door hatchback, the Mazda 3 offers good visibility and a standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Upgrade to the higher-line "s" model and you'll get a height-adjustable driver seat.
Built on the same platform, these VWs are easy to see out of and almost anyone can find a comfortable driving position in them. Seat-height adjustment and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel are standard.
We've never been wild about its funky manual seat adjusters, but there's no denying that the pint-sized Cooper's cockpit is well proportioned for smaller drivers. A height-adjustable driver seat is standard, and visibility doesn't get much better than this.
If you really want an SUV, the Forester is just about the perfect size — it's tall enough to give you a nice view of the road but not so tall that you'll have difficulty getting in and out. A height-adjustable driver seat is standard. Around back, the Forester's liftgate is lightweight and a sturdy grab handle makes it easy to close.
Although roomy enough to accommodate people of all sizes, this sedan and wagon team is a good bet for shorter drivers — adjustable pedals and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel are optional on all models.
The current generation of this well-rounded family car goes a long way toward keeping its occupants happy. Visibility is excellent in the sedan, thanks to a relatively low cowl. Besides that, seat-height adjustment and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel are standard from the LX model on up.
This premium family sedan has a cozier cockpit than the Accord or Malibu and features an exceptionally wide range of both seat-height adjustment and telescoping-wheel adjustment.
The Sienna isn't the only minivan that offers a good view of the road, but it's the only one that comes standard with a telescoping steering wheel.
Got a little more to spend on a car that fits you just right? Well, it would be hard to go wrong with the 3 Series. The sight lines are good, the seats are supportive and there's a multitude of ways to adjust both the seats and steering wheel.
