Finding a suitable wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) is not as easy as many think. This acquisition may well be a compromise that started with knowing you have to say goodbye to a car you want to travel in for a vehicle you need. Whether you need a new or a Nearly New WAV on the Motability Scheme, WAV rental, or a financed or outright purchase of a new or used WAV, we are here to help you with independent advice on your first or your next WAV.

Ford Connect mid wheelchair user position rear ramp WAV from Southern Mobility Vehicles

We like the Ford Tourneo Connect and Grand Connect as adapted or mobility cars; it gives more all-around space for drivers, passengers, and wheelchair users alike. This is especially so for wheelchair users who really can most often go between the two second-row seats, and the Connect WAV is class beating in this respect.

The Connect has more legroom than its contemporaries, and the wheelchair user can come further forward as there is nothing to impede the footrests. The floor in the Ford Connect is most often level too when coming forward this far with a lowered floor, and it has good clean lines. Drivers and passengers get a much more accessible entry as the vehicle door sills are lower, and more foot room means less leg torsion.

An often-unnoticed fact about the Connect is that the turning circle is much smaller than other WAVs in this class. The floor is low, meaning a good centre of gravity is achieved. We would consider this an easier-to-enter WAV for a wheelchair user, a scooter user, passengers, and drivers alike compared with other wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Having more space between the two second-row seats in the rear than other vehicles with a pair of second-row seats is a significant advantage because, after all, who wants to be behind their fellow passengers. Unless, of course, only one rear seat is present, in which case there is much more room for the wheelchair armrests to pass through. This space gives wheelchair users a much greater likelihood of going between the two rear seats and taking advantage of the extended footrest space.

If a wheelchair winch is in place, this will, of course, impede the forward position of some wheelchair users, but much will depend on the make of the winch present and exactly where it is located. If in doubt, please call us with your wheelchair make and model, and we can usually nail down the percentage possibility of how well this WAV will work for you.

We love the specification of the Ford Connect; even the Zetec specification is generous. The Titanium specification with its panoramic roof makes a world of difference to the light in the rear. Things like keyless entry and ignition on this specification are surprising benefits when you have had the pleasure. Ford has worked hard to ensure the driver and passengers are well catered for, and they are all too often second fiddle to the wheelchair user. As we always say, if the driver is not happy, the likelihood is the wheelchair passenger will not be either; it goes both ways.

The Ford Connect is often a win-win car for all who enjoy being in it, which is rare in our compromise industry. We also note that the suspension is very kind to the occupants, which is significant in a WAV because wheelchair users get a rough ride in WAVs often created by the conversion and not the car. The Titanium or Active model of the Connect or the Grand Connect is admired as it matches many high specification standard cars, so it gets the thumbs up from us.

SMV Conclusion: The Ford Connect Titanium specification dwarfs almost every WAV on the market, is excellent value for money, and a wheelchair user can most often be between the second-row seats, a rare feature in the wheelchair accessible vehicle industry. It has excellent suspension and an awe-inspiring turning circle too. The economical and powerful 1.5 turbo diesel with almost 120bhp is a delightful surprise and, coupled with a full-auto gearbox, is an absolute pleasure to drive. The Ford Connect, Grand or otherwise, is excellent value for money.

Why not give Southern Mobility Vehicles a call if this WAV isn’t quite right for you. We are independent WAV advisors, so you will get the best of all worlds, whatever your wheelchair access needs are. Whether you are looking for a new Motability WAV, a Nearly New Motability WAV, short term hire, or an outright purchase, we are the WAV dealer to call first. We are here to help; we know how hard it is to be confident you are buying the right mobility vehicle for your needs.