How do you know if you need a full size wheelchair van or a minivan?
Your budget is less than $100,000… can you still afford a full size van? You want to transport 2 wheelchairs and 3 passengers… will a minivan suffice?
At MoveMobility, we want to make the initial steps toward buying a wheelchair van easier for you, which means giving you all the information you need to make this vital decision.
In this article, you’ll compare full size vans and minivans based on the top 5 differences. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll hopefully know which option is right for you.
Full size wheelchair van or minivan: what’s the difference?
There are five major differences between a full size van and a minivan that we can use to compare the two:
- Capacity
- Price
- Parking
- Flexibility
- Driver and passenger comfortability
These five differences will help you decide which option is right for you, starting with capacity.
Capacity
When we mention capacity in terms of accessible vehicles, we’re talking about two kinds of capacities: the number of wheelchairs the van can transport and the number of passengers it can transport.
Wheelchair capacity
Minivans can generally transport 1-2 wheelchairs.
Full size vans can transport 1-3 wheelchairs.
Passenger capacity
Minivans can generally transport up to 4 passengers.
Full size vans can transport up to 10 passengers.
Price
While price shouldn’t be the deciding factor in choosing a full size van or a minivan, we understand it’s an important part of the decision-making process.
So, here is a general range of prices you’ll typically see for both options.
Minivans | Full size vans |
$92,000 – $110,000 | $130,000 – $180,000 |
Keep in mind that these are general ranges and that they are subject to change at any time without notice.
Parking
The next factor to consider when choosing between a full size van and a minivan is where you will be parking.
When using a full size van, you won’t be able to park in a parkade (or parking garage) because the van roof is too high.
Parking is generally easier with a minivan than with a full size van because the van is smaller.
Flexibility
The second last factor you should consider is how flexible you need your accessible vehicle to be.
When it comes to minivans, there is generally less flexibility because there is less space. You won’t be able to configure the layout of your van to suit your needs.
Full size vans come with an AutoFloor flexible floor and seating system.
AutoFloor is a floor track and seating system that allows you to change seats and wheelchair positioning in the vehicle, creating different layouts. For example, here are some of the different layouts you can try:
That was a lot of information we just covered, so here is an overview of everything you’ve learned so far:
Wheelchairs | Minivan | Full size van |
---|---|---|
1 wheelchair | ✔ | ✔ |
1-2 wheelchairs | ✔ | ✔ |
1-3 wheelchairs | ✘ | ✔ |
Passengers | ||
Up to 4 | ✔ | ✔ |
Up to 10 | ✘ | ✔ |
Flexibility features | ||
AutoFloor flexible floor and seating system | ✘ | ✔ |
Driver and passenger comfortability
The final factor you should think about is the driver and passenger comfort.
Driver comfortability
Here at MoveMobility, we often hear our drivers talk about how comfortable our full size vans are, and that they don’t feel too different from sitting in a normal car.
It’s important to always consider your driver’s comfort because they will be the ones driving the van all day.
Passenger comfortability
Passenger comfortability is equally important. In a full size van, passengers have good visibility—that is, the windows are large enough for them to see out of.
Now that you know how to compare full size vans and minivans, you’re probably wondering who each option is right for. Read on to find out.
Full size wheelchair van or minivan: who is each option right for?
Sometimes, the deciding factor for organizations or personal users choosing between a minivan or full size van can come down to one question: how many passengers will you be transporting?
Once you determine your capacity needs, this choice becomes a lot simpler. Here is a short recap of all the information we covered in this article:
Full size vans are right for: | Minivans are right for: |
Organizations that transport more than one wheelchair, such as adult daycares and care homes | Clients who only need to transport 1-2 wheelchairs |
Organizations that provide a transportation service, such as accessible taxis and Handi-Transit | Clients who prefer to budget for a less expensive option |
Remote First Nations communities–especially ones that will be driving the van on rough winter roads | Personal users, such as families, who want an accessible vehicle because they have a family member with mobility challenges |
Your next steps to choosing between a full size wheelchair van or minivan
You came to this article to learn if a full size van or a minivan is right for you.
Now, you’ve learned the five differences between both options that can help you make the right decision.
If you’re still not sure which van is right for you, talk to a MoveMobility expert now.
Or, check out these related articles to learn more: