Most modern cars are designed for the modern man who tends to be around or over six feet tall. The average American woman is 5’4″, which is quite a bit shorter. How can they both be comfortable and in command in the driver’s seat of the same car? This is the challenge for short drivers. And even though car makers have addressed the issue, not all are created equal.
Most cars and SUVs have enough head space, leg room and rear passenger space to accommodate average to tall people. And with adjustable driver’s seats, mirrors, headrests and steering wheels, most can customize their seating. But is that enough?
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
What Should a Short Driver Look For on the Options List?
For anyone at any height, what matters most is the ability to adjust the driver’s position to a place that’s safe and comfortable. Here are some fairly universal features that can help us find that sweet spot:
- Electronically adjustable seats (think seats that are adjusted with buttons, rather than physical levers, as electronic adjustments tend to be more precise). Moving a seat up or down can make a vehicle easier to see out of for shorter drivers.
- Telescopic steering wheel adjusters. Some cars have buttons, like the Jeep Wagoneer, while others have levers to adjust and lock the wheel. The “telescoping” means it can be pushed back or pulled toward the driver.
- Visibility. Cars that have thicker A pillars between the windshield and doors, and B pillars between the front and rear doors, tend to be harder to see out of.
- Running boards. On larger trucks and SUVs, sturdy running boards are ideal for shorter drivers to be able to climb into the vehicle.
- Height adjustment for seat belts. This is so the belt can sit more comfortably on the left shoulder while driving, to make it safer.
- Electronically adjusted mirrors. For any driver at any height, adjusting mirrors electronically is easier, faster, and more precise.
- Electronically adjustable pedals. This feature is rare, but the pedals and be moved closer or further away from the drivers.
- Electronically adjustable lifgtate. The ability to set the maximum height on the liftgate makes it easier for shorter drivers to reach the button to close the gate once it’s open.
With these features in mind, here is our list of the best SUVs for short drivers.
Read: 6 Driving Mistakes You’re Making — and 6 Minutes to Being a Better Driver
1. The Ford Expedition is a Big Car for Short Drivers
The Ford Expedition is the biggest car on this list, but Ford kept smaller drivers in mind when engineering the behemoth. Not only does the Ford Expedition have enough space for the whole family, get decent fuel economy, and have all the listed features for shorter drivers, but the brake and gas pedal can be adjusted.
Since the driver position is fully customizable, it makes it worthy of being on a list of full-sized cars ideal for shorter drivers. There are also plenty of grab handles, sturdy running boards, and large windows to increase visibility.
It’s also been completely redesigned for the 2025 model year and starts at a modest $55,630 MSRP and tops out at $83,800 for the Platinum MAX model.
Many of the Expeditions features that make it good for shorter drivers have been offered since 1999, so a used Expedition may be worth a closer look.
2. Check Out a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a three-row SUV, but it doesn’t drive like one. The large windows make it easy to see out of, the technology is incredibly intuitive and easy to become acquainted with, and the driver’s position is extremely customizable.
While it doesn’t have adjustable brakes or gas pedals, just about everything else can be electronically adjustable. The seat can be moved so close to the steering wheel that the pedals don’t need adjusting.
The seatbelt height is adjustable, the steering wheel is easy to move, and the entry and exit are a breeze thanks to moderate ground clearance. Thankfully, the entrance to the trunk is low enough for shorter drivers, but not too low for drivers of average height.
We also loved the trunk features, which has an easy-to-set maximum height for the liftgate.
It’s also fairly cost-effective. The base model starts at $35,345 and maxes out at around $47,000 for the top-tier Calligraphy model.
3. The Nissan Pathfinder’s Driving Pedals are Adjustable
Adjustable brake and gas pedals are rare, and the Nissan Pathfinder is one of the very few that offer them. The Pathfinder stays true to its legacy of being easy to live with, capable on and off-road, and roomy enough for the whole family without feeling like a boat.
The Pathfinder’s driving position is fairly easy to customize. Like many cars, it has a telescoping steering wheel, an electronically adjustable driver’s seat with the ability to raise or lower the seat, plenty of grab handles for entering and exiting, and a comfortable entry and exit.
The SUV also comes at an average price of $41,370 for the base model or $51,520 for the Platinum edition.
4. The Chevy Equinox Puts You in Control
One of the biggest issues for shorter drivers is reaching the touch screen, especially functions on the far side of large screens. And while the new Chevy Equinox has a large center screen, almost all functions can be voice activated with the built-in Google system. Just say “hey Google” and the system is at your attention.
The Chevy Equinox got a full makeover for the 2025 model with updated technology, a new engine and a new look that gives it more classic SUV vibes. Priced from just under $30,000 to just under $40,000, this compact SUV gives short drivers even more muscle with things like all wheel drive, a roomy cargo area and lots of clever storage.
5. The Honda CR-V is the Perfect Size
The Honda CR-V is the perfect size for an SUV. It’s bigger than the compact HR-V, but smaller than the Pilot, making it a happy medium for drivers of all sizes. While the CR-V doesn’t have adjustable driving pedals, literally everything else is.
With such a large windshield, thin A and B pillars, and large windows all around, the visibility is excellent. It was also easy to get in and out of. If a driver needs running boards, they can be added on as extras for $1,780 pre-delivery.
The liftgate on the newer models comes with a hands-free feature so it will automatically open if it detects a key near the gate while locked.
Like all Hondas, the CR-V is reasonably priced across the board. The top-of-the-line AWD Touring hybrid is just $41,000 MSRP.
6. The Kia Soul Has a Big Personality in a Small Package
While most shorter drivers tend to prefer mid or full-sized cars for the cargo space and seating capacity, the Kia Soul has all that in a compact size. And it comes packed with modern technology (both safety and otherwise), a surprising amount of cargo space, and a powerful engine and transmission at a respectable price.
Like most of the cars we like for short drivers, the Kia Soul has more driver position adjustment options in the Soul S package, which is a step above the base trim. With the S package, the Soul comes with an 8-way adjustable seat, telescoping wheel, and maximum height adjuster for the seatbelt.
The S package brings the price up to $22,390 MSRP, which is excellent for a small car that gets 30 miles per gallon.
7. The Subaru Outback Wins For Short Drivers
The Subaru Outback is classified by the brand as an SUV, but if you ask anyone, it has the style language and purpose of a wagon. The Outback doesn’t have adjustable pedals, but they’re in such a comfortable position we don’t think it’s necessary.
The driver’s seat is adjustable in 10 different ways and can be raised and lowered, too. The A and B pillars are a comfortable size, the visibility is excellent, and the ground clearance of 8.6 inches sounds like a lot – but it’s just as easy to climb into as a sedan.
What we may love most about it, though, is that its scale makes it easy to reach the roof rails without needing a ladder. Most drivers can simply reach up, or, for better access, stand on the door sill. Kayaks and paddleboards are easy to secure and retrieve.
The Subaru Outback is also a bargain for a car. You get all that cargo space, customization, and safety features at a base price of $28,895, and a maximum price of $42,795 for the Touring XT edition.
8. The SUV of Minivans, the Kia Carnival
Minivans are generally a solid choice for shorter drivers, but we especially liked the Kia Carnival out of all the other vans. The Kia Carnival has a low entry point, big windows, and easy-to-open slider doors. Inside, the high roof line allows lots of space to maneuver kids, their car seats or cargo.
The seating position is also fairly high, making it complementary to the already excellent visibility. The driver’s seat is also incredibly customizable in tandem with the easy-to-adjust telescoping steering wheel.
We also loved the styling – it’s a van that’s dressed up as an SUV, with all the things we love about SUVs, but also what we love about minivans, including rear seats that stow in the floor and a deep cargo well.
Like most Kias, it’s also a competitive price. The base price for the 2025 model is $37,895, while the top trim, the LXS, is $39,895.
9. Volvo XC90 – or It’s EX90 All-Electric Counterpart
The Volvo XC90 has long been a fan fave for its modern approach to luxury, its elegant design and unwavering commitment to safety. But it’s the scale and ease of driving that we love the most. Designed for European roads but outfitted for American families, the Volvo XC90, as well as its all-electric counterpart the Volvo EX90, are not overly large SUVs yet will accommodate 6 or 7 passengers.
Making both even better for short drivers are the fully adjustable seats, steering wheel and in the EX90, greater visibility thanks to a smaller driver display for a less obstructed view of the road in the 2025 model.
The XC90 is priced from $57,400 to just over $80,000 for the T8 plug-in hybrid electric version, and the XC90 is priced from $79,995 to $85,640, though packages and extras can push the price past $90,000.
10. Audi Q7 and Q8
Another Euro-designed and inspired SUV, the Audi Q7 3-row SUV, in the foreground in blue, and the Audi Q8 5-passenger SUV, shown here in red, are both great for short drivers who need great command of the car and the road.
And, they both offer air suspension that can raise or lower the height of the vehicle. Ideally, this feature is for lowering the car for sport driving or raising it for off-road driving, but in all practicality, it’s an ideal feature for loading things into the cargo area or helping even shorter passengers hop into the rear seat or the cargo area. This feature might be most handy for passengers climbing into the 3rd row of the Audi Q7.
Priced from $60,000 to over $97,000, these SUVs offer all the plush goodies of a luxury car, from leather upholstery to top notch technology. And while the Q7 fits up to 7 passengers, the Q8 has more rear seat legroom for taller companions who want to stretch out and relax.
It wasn’t that long ago that short drivers were relegated to small cars or had to sit on stacks of pillows and sit dangerously close to the steering wheel to drive. No longer is that the case with not only lots of adjustable features, but SUVs in the size and scale to accommodate even the the most petite drivers.
