2011 Honda Odyssey
Many will agree that the new look of the 2011 Honda Odyssey is a big departure from what we’re used to from Honda. From certain angles, the Odyssey looks more like a station wagon than anything else.
  Honda Odyssey. Click image to enlarge |
With its low step-in height, the Odyssey is one of the easiest mini-vans to get in and out of. My test minivan featured leather seats which really did help make it very easier to slide into the front and rear seats. I was impressed with the interior and how well everything was laid out: the instrument panel looks to be designed with the driver in mind: every button was well within reach and the steering wheel-mounted controls were very easy to use. The dash of the 2011 Honda Odyssey now features an optional and very large eight-inch monitor which displays vehicle related information and it comes with Honda’s rear-view camera which features a grid system making it a lot easier to back up into a parking space.
The passenger cabin offers many of the popular mini-van features such as removable second row seats and third row seats that fold directly into the floor, the latter probably the most useful standard feature found in the Odyssey. The third row of seats comes with Honda’s one-motion 60/40 split 3rd-row “Magic Seat” which was designed to make folding the seats into the floor a quick and effortless task. And with the rear liftgate opened and the third row folded flat, the Odyssey offers plenty of room to place a mobility scooter securely inside. Whether the third row of seats is folded flat or in the upright position you’ll be pleased to learn that the 2011 Honda Odyssey offers you a cargo area capable of transporting many different mobility aids with little or no trouble. If you require the full time use of a power wheel chair you will be happy to hear that the Honda Odyssey can be fully modified to cater to your needs.
On the road, the 2011 Honda Odyssey doesn`t feel like your typical mini-van – it was actually very enjoyable to drive, and out of all the large sized mini-vans I tested I believe the Odyssey is a vehicle I would have no problem driving on a daily basis.
2012 Mazda 5
  Mazda5. Click image to enlarge |
The Mazda5 will impress those looking for a unique and sporty drive. I tend to think of it as the “sports car of mini-vans” since it handles a bit like a sports car and offers you the cargo space and versatility of a mini-van. The greatest thing about the Mazda 5 is its ride height which results in a vehicle that very easy to get in and out of for those with disabilities who struggle getting up from a low seated position.
The interior of the 2012 Mazda 5 is what I would label as sporty and very functional. Everything is well with-in reach and maybe the most useful feature for those with disabilities is the steering wheel-mounted audio controls which help to eliminate the issue of having to reach over to change or adjust the radio.
When it comes to its ability to transport a mobility scooter it ranks pretty high since the third row of seats fold flat giving you plenty of room to put a small sized collapsible mobility scooter. But if you are looking for a vehicle that is capable of being fully customized to fit a large sized mobility scooter then a larger minivan would better suit your needs.
2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge |
I was surprised at how great the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is for those living with disabilities. I was impressed with the layout of the interior since the dash was designed to surround the driver putting everything at your fingertips and making it very easy to access the radio, cruise control, and climate control buttons. Another available feature many people will find useful is the optional back-up camera which is uniquely placed in the rear-view mirror allowing the driver to keep their eyes focused in the right place.
Unlike smaller sized SUVs, the 2012 Equinox gives buyers plenty of cargo room so there is more than enough room to put a small-sized mobility device such as a collapsible scooter or walker. One of the greatest features available on the 2012 Equinox is the optional power lift gate which can be operated by remote or from inside the vehicle. You can even program it to stop at a certain points making it easy to access when parked inside your own garage.
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox comes standard with a safety feature that goes a long way to help those living with disabilities: OnStar. With a touch of a button you’re automatically connected to a live advisor who can help you along your way with Turn-by-Turn Directions. The OnStar system also features hands-free calling, but one of the best features for those living with disabilities is that if you ever run into an emergency you can press OnStar’s red Emergency button and be connected right away to a specially trained emergency advisor. With a feature like OnStar, the driver can relax knowing if they ever run into a problem, OnStar can send help right away.
