I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with accessibility devices in a Volvo. I'm at the early stages of 'in the market' for a 'new' car and was wondering if anyone has experience with it.

The other half is disabled and uses a manual wheelchair as well as hand controls. As far as I know the hand controls can be bolted on without much issue. I would think with the electronic throttle it might be easier with the newer ones than the mechanical linkages. The important issue is the trunk, as a lift would have to go in there for the chair. My rough estimation says that it'd be fine in my 850 but I don't know for sure. I'm hoping someone has or has seen this in one. We're looking at sedans here, but a wagon might be needed to do the trick. I'm 6'1 and she's all of 4'10 so the power seat memory is going to be a highly desired feature. We also think that AWD would be a good choice, since she'd appreciate all the help she can get come winter time, but thats not required.

Anyway, in my mind I'm thinking an '04 S60 AWD would be a decent bet. They're old enough that I could afford one (or at least afford it by the time I'm ready to make the purchase.. Starting the whole 'setting money aside now' thing..) Its new enough so that the seat recall works, and I believe those have the keyfob memory (so I open the doors, it sets the seat to me, she does it sets to her..

My final question might be one that I have to find someone from volvo to donate time to help me, but if I recall correctly, the '04 has both gas and brake by wire, which means that if she's using the hand controls maybe there's a way it doesn't pick up anything from the pedals. It'd be nice if we didn't have to fool around with a kick plate..


Thanks for your input.