That's a tough one because my first response was a small SUV but then read you don't want an SUV.

Well, stay AWAY from sports cars. Getting into a Camero or Mustang is a challenge. It's like sitting in a bathtub.

I have a 2015 Nissan Altima. It sits really well, but I still think it's low getting in and out of.

I've had 2 SUV's so I really feel the difference when I went back to a car.

Maybe a Buick LaCrosse or Chevy Impala?

What about a Kia Soul. It's neither a car or SUV. My uncle has one and says the step in height for Grandma is good.

I agree with Pawprint, but can't comment on the Kia. We've had a Nissan Rogue for 8 years but the front seat is not adjustable and I had to sit on a cushion to get better visibility. We had to rent sedans following an accident. One was a Nissan Altima. I forget what the second one was but similar body, and both were miserable for getting in and out of - killed my knees. We now also have a 2017 Subaru Forester and love it. Front seat is adjustable (manual) and my knees are ever so thankful. Visibility is excellent.

Forget the Buick Lacrosse. My mother has one and has complained about how difficult it is to get in and out of ever since she purchased it. I even find that I "catch" my foot getting in and out, and I normally don't have a problem.

We just purchased a 2017 Subaru Legacy and it seems low.

Good luck on your search and please share your experience.

2008 Ford Taurus.

I'll drive my Honda Odyssey into the ground. No door sill, like my husband's CRV, nice straight seats. Love this car1

My first thought was also an SUV. I have one and love it. It's a 2004 GMC Jimmy (not made any more). So easy to get into. Not too big, not too small. Plenty of leg room in the front passenger side. If I were to have to buy another vehicle, it would be another SUV. Cars are way too low for me. I like that I sit high enough to see most of what is around me. I can see further down the street to see what is coming up. And I don't feel like the big 4x4 trucks are going to run right over me.

I have the Ford Escape, after bumping down from the Explorer. I think that although it might still be considered an SUV, it is smaller.

I like being higher-up while driving. The seat is easy to get into. Ford me, the comfort of the seat is everything. There is no, "I'll get used to this....." when it comes to how it feels immediately when I get in.

Nissan Rogue is perfect, it's a crossover.

I don't know - I've had Subaru Foresters for the 16-17 yrs and love it. Now I have a 2016 - it's easy to get in and out of and the seats don't make you feel like you're in a hole. We always used it when transporting my MIL as at 97 she was able to get in and out easily. Also my car has electronic controlled driver's seat.

One of my neighbors has a Ford Escape and I covet it. It's the perfect size, Sheilajoyce; don't dismiss this small SUV without checking it out first. This neighbor, a recent widow, and I have become good friends so I've been able to spend a lot of time in her vehicle. I'm very particular about size, too.

Every time I see one on the road when my husband and I are out and about, I say, "Look! There's our next car!" ;-)

How about a mini van? I have an aging Mazda MVP that is great for my aging bones, and I love that I can just swivel in my seat and my feet are on the ground. I don't know if Mazda still makes this model, so I will continue to drive mine as long as I can.

I have tried many SUV types and believe me, the sizeof the car doesn't indicate the ease of entering. Pay attention to the width f the door opening.

Also take a look at one of those "as seen on TV" things that you hook into the door frame that will aid you in getting out. Several friends of mine have them, and say they are very helpful.

Be sure to let us know what you decide on.

So many cars are hard to get into nowadays. I have a Ford Fusion and it is perfect for me. I am barely 5' tall. One the other side my hubby is 6'2" and it is difficult for him to get into. He rarely drives it. I had a Chevy Tracker and loved it. Up just high enough and comfortable seating. Hubby liked it, too. The only reason I traded is because I needed to have room for 4 grandkids at one time. Hope you find what you are looking for.

We both would rather get up into something a little high than down into something low ;0) I've driven nothing but Ford Explorers in the last 30 years, am about to replace my third in the next few months....

But my mother was comfortable with her Ford Escape until she quit driving a year ago at 89. Recovering now from an osteoporotic fracture (vertebrae) she can enter and exit my sisters RAV most easily although does fine with my SILs Nissan Leaf.

Is there any chance you could reconsider the smaller SUVs? Test drive one?

At this point in my life, I find the heated and fully adjustable electronic seats are deal breakers for me. I wouldn't buy a car without those features and the next truck DH buys will have them too.

I just went to an SUV after driving a car all my life. It is a Highlander and maybe too big, but a RAV4 or other small SUV might be just the thing. As morz8 said, you might consider test driving one just to see.

my KIA soul has great seats, no problem getting in, and the seats are high. Just do some car shopping and check it out for yourself. I did have trouble in my Honda CRV, they got to be very hard getting into.

I have more problems getting into low vehicles. Many complain about how high my Hummer h3 is but with all the handles I have no problem hauling myself into it. I used to drive low to the ground sports cars my previous car was a Mitsubishi 3000 GT and before that I had Mazda RX7, several Corvettes. Today I would be in serious pain trying to crawl into those cars. I love having multiple adjustments at the touch of a button, really dislike manual seat controls, not easy for bad hands. I too would urge you to look at the smaller cross over suv types. I would make a list of must have items and good power adjustable seats would be at the top of the list along with ease of entrance.

I just Googled it and found there has been research done on this and there are lists of suggestions. I noticed the Lexus RX on both lists it's one I would have mentioned.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/08/best-cars-for-older-drivers/index.htm

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.kiplinger.com/slideshow/cars/T009-S001-10-best-cars-for-older-drivers.html

I have a Lexus LS430 (don't believe they make this model anymore). It is so easy to get in and out of, a very large trunk, and electronic everything. It is a joy to drive. Lexus is worth looking at and test driving.

Depending upon your budget, a number of the premium brands have vehicles with adjustable height suspension. Like some busses that 'kneel' when passengers are loading, you can raise or lower the suspension (and thus the vehicle height) while gaining access to the vehicle. Generally the vehicles are SUV's of varying size, but there may be some wagons in the segment too.

We have 2016 Subaru Impreza which I find easy to enter and exit. The same for our old Prius.

I am in the same position .... Only I also need a wider seat because I have had both hips replaced and the newer cars have a "lip" that sits right on my incisions and makes them hurt! I have a LaCrosse and love it, but it has 127,000 miles and I have never kept a car this long...but the newer LaCrosse doesn't work for me. I am trying out an Avalon...and the seats are a bit wider, but still not what I am needing...UGH! May just drive my LaCrosse until the tires fall off...

I drive a crossover. It's perfect for 5"1" me. I got it after years of driving trucks. It handles like a "sports car". Great turning radius, easy to park, sits four adults comfortable.

I feel like I'm in a bath tub when I drive cars. I don't care how luxurious they are.

We recently bought a new full sized truck. As cars are getting lower, trucks are getting higher. I don't mind stepping up but this is ridiculous. I'd need a step stool. DH is around 6"1". So we are getting the truck lowered a few inches. He is less agile than me and he will be able to slider right in sideways and I will have to step up slightly which is no problem.

Manufacturers are going to have to step up and change their designs for the changing needs of the population. Today we have an aging population that has trouble getting in and out of them and the flip side are the new child safety seat laws. Parents are having to buy larger vehicles just to be able to properly position two car seats/boosters. Those with more than 2 kids really struggle with having to buy over sized vehicles just to find a spot for the third seat or booster. Even with only a single car seat, rear facing until 2 means some taller parents have to give up front seat leg room unless they have a roomy vehicle. With new air bags to keep us safe now children are not supposed to ride in front seat until they are 10 or 12 in a some states. The air bags themselves pose a safety hazard for shorter or slighter built people.

Verrry interesting. I just saw an ad from a local furniture store touting a new brand of leather sofas and chairs that are 'supportive'. I immediately thought how smart that is, to appeal to an aging population. They were very pretty and quite modern in styling, but it was the comfort that was being emphasized.

I love my Chrysler mini van, just the right height for me. You might want to check out one of them, or the Ford Flex. My 91 and 90 year old neighbors have no problem getting in and out of my van or their Flex. He is about 6' and she 5' 2".

I have a Jeep Latitude 4x4. Love it. It's not the largest Jeep nor the smallest. It's just right. I am 5'2".

The seats are high enough so I can see out, but they are not so high that I have to climb in. When I stand outside the Jeep, the seat is almost exactly at the same level as my behind. A perfect fit.

I really liked our last car, a Cadillac, but I had to fall down into it and then climb back up out of it. So I completely understand what you are saying about the level of the seats. Have you ever driven an SUV? Try it. You might like it.

Sheilajoyce doesn't say how tall she is, and some of those who have commented mention that they are 5'1, 5'2, in other words on the short side. I have an 80 year old 5'10 body. Lately, due to medical problems, friends have offered to pick me up for events. I feel embarrassed to have to ask them what kind of car they have as I just can't get into, let alone out of some.

This new Mercedes has a good step in height & you would be comfortable. It might be a good fit for you?

We had a Flex for awhile; it was the most comfortable vehicle I've ever had, bar none. But I hated to drive it! It felt like I was maneuvering a whale, with poor visibility from the driver's seat and a real pain to park.

If it weren't for all of the back up cameras and warning alarms, backing out of a parking spot would have been impossible! I was so glad to get rid of it.

I'm 5' 6" and hate when I have to fall into a car seat or climb up out of a car. My Mom's Buick was like that and she could never figure out why I didn't like it.

I will never buy another sedan for the simple reason that they are too hard to get in and out of. I have a small SUV for that very reason. Next one will have leather seats which make it even easier because you can swivel.Good luck.

Being able to swivel to get out, and not having to rearrange all your clothes, is why I got leather seats too.

I used to drive a Mustang and even though I loved the car, I was really tired of getting in and out of it. I bought a GMC Terrain. The main reason I liked it was because you slide in and out so easily. I also love the way it drives.

First off, Escape, Forrester and the like are not SUVs, they're crossovers. Having hip issues I find them difficult to get in and out. They're designed for little people.

I'll second the recommendation for a minivan. I had a Dodge and now have a Kia. Nice height for getting in and out, you sit higher, seat height is good and having had hip surgery that's been great for me. Another thing to look for is the grab handle. I find it helpful. I like the size. Not too big, easy to park, maneuver, makes u-turns, yet it's big enough to be more comfortable and give better visibility. If you're looking for a status symbol, then you probably won't want one. If you want comfort, then they're worth considering.

I sure see a lot of Kia Souls on the road. My sister is considering one. A youtuber was talking about hers and how much she likes it and how surprised she is that she likes it so well. Her husband bought it and traded their Town Car and she was very upset about it but she says it's far easier to load/unload groceries and is as comfortable as the Town Car.

A friend has an Impala and I was really surprised how comfortable it was and how easy it was to enter/exit, however, it's very low to the ground which was a bit problematic. I just prefer riding a little higher but not looking for monster truck.

I used to have mini pickups and they too were a nice height and surprising easy to access. However there's not the options there were in the past. I haven't tried out the newer mid-sized pickups. I thought I'd really miss the pickup but I don't miss it that much since the minivan hauls most anything the pickup would and has the benefit of the hauled items will stay warm or cool and that's a big advantage.

As mentioned, the best thing is to get out and try some. What's comfortable for me, might not be comfortable for you.

Oh. Yes, leather seats are nearly a requirement for us elders. They make it so much easier to sit and maneuver one's body.

We're looking at SUVs right now. I have to say if you are having trouble with low seats, I can totally agree since I currently have both a Ford Fusion and a Hyundai Santa Fe! The Fusion is a pain in the b**t to get out of easily, whereas I'm 5'6" (with short legs) and can slide in/out of the SFe without a problem.

I would agree with those that say check out the smaller utes - but also important are the height of the door opening, and how high the vehicle's ground clearance is. Subaru models tend to be high, for example, even on the smaller models, because they are aimed at serious AWD users.

My SFe is 7.3" on ground clearance. I would not recommend the Ford Flex; it's basically a mini-van. Unless you have a real need to haul 7 people regularly there is no reason to own it. I happen to love that boxy styling, but for 2 people it is ridiculous overkill. Best for families who are hauling a soccer team around, LOL.

We are currently looking at the Ford Edge and the clearance is slightly over 9". Getting into that car is definitely close to the 'pull yourself up' scenario for me. For my DH, who is 5'10", no problem. It's nowhere near as bad as a Nissan Titan, for example, but even without being told you know that Edge is taller than the SFe when getting into it, either as driver or second row passenger.

Sometimes ground clearance stats can be hard to find. The Escape has a 7.8" clearance. The Hyundai/Kia have 7.3". RAV-4 is 6.3". CR-V is 6.8". As others have stated, there is no substitute for actually seeing the car and sitting in it. No need to even take a test drive, if you don't want to.

The Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson all compete in this market. You should note that many smaller models are going to CVT trannies, and you may either like or dislike them. I live in an area with hills and I find the power lag is too severe with a small engine.

Don't dismiss U.S. mfgs. Due to the strong dollar, the price increases on Japanese and German cars are making a noticeable difference. The 2017 equivalent of my old Hyundai SFe costs $4K more than I was quoted on the top-of-the-line Ford Edge. Back in 2003 when I was buying the SFe, it was the other way around!

I would not recommend the GMC Terrain, Volkswagen Tiguan, or any Jeep or Mitsubishi model. The GMC is little different than the Chevy but priced higher, and the other three have very poor reliability records.

If you are going after a luxury level small SUV, the list on Kelly Blue Book is at:

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/luxury-compact-crossover-suv-buyers-guide-new/2000011021/

Happy hunting!

"Due to the strong dollar, the price increases on Japanese and German cars are making a noticeable difference."

I think you have the effect backwards. The US dollar has been strong versus the Euro in the last few years so a German manufacturer benefits by getting more Euros when converting X dollars, compared to getting fewer Euros before. It's like a price increase, without a price increase in the stated dollar price. Also, Euro-denominated components sold to the US cost fewer dollars and so are cheaper (in dollars).

Don't forget that many "foreign" cars are assembled in the US and so have significant dollar costs that are unaffected by exchange rate changes. That, by the way, is why they're here, to partially reduce how exchange rate fluctuations can impact product profitability.

I would also recommend a minivan. Not only are they easy to get in and out of but it's easy to get stuff you're hauling in and out as well.

Jakkom....does your SantaFe have a "lip" on the sides of the seats?...With my hip replacements, I need a flat seat and am having a terrible time finding that.

>>SantaFe have a "lip" on the sides of the seats?...With my hip replacements, I need a flat seat and am having a terrible time finding that.>>

No, I haven't seen any front bucket seats that are flat. Some of them are less molded than others, however. One mention that came up in numerous reviews on the Kia was a number of people found the side bolsters on the front bucket seats very hard and uncomfortable for long trips. Other people were fine with them - in fact, my DH found the Kia seats slightly more comfortable than the Ford, altho we think our old Santa Fe has better seats than any except the GMC and the long-ago Recaro-style seats on our Acura Integra.

I really miss that Integra; wish they hadn't stopped making it. Haven't liked any of the Acuras since (altho my sister has been happy with hers).

It's been interesting to test drive a number of different SUVs. The seats are quite different from one to the other, so you really do have to get out there and look at them. You might want to check the car review sites, however - a lot of times they have good photos of the interior and you could probably weed out models that wouldn't work for you.

But so far the only flat seats I've seen are on pick-ups that still offer front bench seating. Good luck in your searching, hope you find something.

EJFudd, I'm sure you're probably right re the dollar. Was just very surprised to find the Kia priced so high. Nice SUV, but not worth the premium. The Optima is worth a premium but not the Sorento, which is what we were looking at. At this point we're leaning away from the Kia/Hyundai line.