If you’re looking for a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what size category will meet your needs. Previously our WAV Search tool split all WAVs into three categories – Small, Medium and Large. However, the medium category accounted for over half of our WAVs and included vehicles which varied quite significantly in their size and therefore their potential suitability.
So, to help you to narrow down your choice and filter by the things that matter to you, we have recently split the medium category into Medium-Small and Medium-Large. We hope this enables you to narrow down your choice to the most appropriate vehicles, especially if you have a larger wheelchair; regularly need to travel with a number of passengers or if you have been awarded a grant that specifies one of these two sizes.
Below is a summary of the key differences between each of the size categories used for our WAVs:
Small
Base vehicles include: Fiat Qubo; Fiat Doblo; Citroën Berlingo; Peugeot Partner; Ford Tourneo Connect; Kia Soul; Volkswagen Caddy
- All small WAVs will be fitted with a ramp for entry.
- Usually have a lowered floor to give more headroom inside the vehicle and reduce the angle of the ramp.
- At least one passenger seat in the rear, but usually seat no more than 5 people including the driver and wheelchair passenger.
- These WAVs tend to feel the most similar to driving a standard car.
Medium-Small
Base Vehicles include: Volkswagen Caddy Maxi; Ford Grand Tourneo Connect; Fiat Doblo Maxi
- Have more space than a small WAV which either means extra passenger seats, more room for equipment or a more flexible seating position.
- Like the Small WAVs these vehicles will have more of a car-like feel in terms of size.
- The wheelchair user can be positioned behind the second row of seats in the rearmost part of the car, but many conversions have options to sit further up in between the second row of rear seats.
Medium-Large
Base Vehicles include: Citroën Space Tourer; Ford Tourneo Custom; Peugeot Traveller; Volkswagen Shuttle; Volkswagen Transporter; Renault Trafic; Vauxhall Vivaro
- Based on larger vehicles and are the most common WAV for users with larger wheelchairs as their size allows more flexible seating arrangements.
- Can carry up to nine passengers including the wheelchair user and driver.
- Some conversions allow two wheelchair users.
- The majority of medium-large WAVs are still fitted with a ramp, however if you need a lift these can sometimes be fitted, but you should be aware that there will be reduced head height in these cases.
Large
Base Vehicles include: Peugeot Boxer; Renault Master; Fiat Ducato
- Based on the largest vehicles available on the Scheme and in terms of size are more like a commercial vehicle.
- Good for larger families or those travelling in the largest or heaviest wheelchair.
- All are fitted with a lift.
- Most can be converted to allow for two wheelchair passengers as well as space for other passengers in standard seats.
Discover more about WAVs
Visit our WAV Overview section to find out what’s different about a WAV from a car, their features as well as finding out how they are converted. Or, if you’re ready to start exploring the full range of over 500 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles available through the Scheme, use our WAV Search tool to narrow down your options.
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