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 to travel in. Whether you need a new or a Nearly New WAV on the Motability Scheme, WAV rental, 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 Tourneo Grand Connect rear 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 specifically for wheelchair users than most all wheelchair accessible vehicles in its class. Wheelchair users get their own space at the car’s rear, although this is not always the favoured position in a WAV. Younger wheelchair users and lower dependency wheelchair users often relish their own “room” in the vehicle’s rear, but this comes down to personal preference.

All Tourneo Connects have significantly more second-row passenger legroom than almost all their contemporaries. The Ford Tourneo Connect and Grand Connect’s lowered floor allows a wheelchair user to be settled on the level or tilt, which can be advantageous, especially when considering a wheelchair user’s needs. A level floor isn’t easy to build in many WAVs due to the nature of what is under the vehicle floor that must remain a part of the vehicle post-conversion.

Drivers and passengers get a much more accessible entry as the vehicle door sills are lower, and more foot room means less leg torsion. 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 than other wheelchair accessible vehicles. An often-unnoticed fact about the Grand Connect is that the turning circle is much smaller than other WAVs in this class.

Most Connects are converted with a rear ramp, and we only buy the most user friendly of them all, and if they aren’t, you won’t see one in our stock. 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 Connects; even the Zetec specification is generous compared to many wheelchair accessible vehicles available today. 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, and 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. The suspension we also note is kind to the occupants and wheelchair users. The ride is very significant in a WAV because, all too often, wheelchair users get a rough ride in WAVs created by the conversion changing the car’s dynamics. 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. This WAV will carry five people on standard seats and a wheelchair user effectively in quite a compact car. 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. 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. We are independent WAV advisors, so you will get the best of all worlds, whatever your wheelchair access needs are.