Side-entry vs. rear-entry wheelchair vans

The short version

Choose side-entry if the wheelchair user needs to sit up front — as the driver or the front passenger — or if you want the widest choice of models and ramp types. Choose rear-entry if you want a lower price, need to fit a long or heavy power chair, or regularly park where there is no room beside the van for a ramp. Everything below is detail on those two sentences.

What each conversion physically does

In a side-entry conversion the manufacturer lowers the entire floor of the minivan — typically by around 10 to 14 inches, depending on the model — and fits a ramp at the passenger-side sliding door. Because the whole cabin floor is lowered, a wheelchair user has the headroom to roll forward to the front passenger position or, with the factory seat removed and hand controls installed, the driver's position. BraunAbility describes the lowered-floor design as "allowing for more headspace" and notes the wheelchair user "can occupy the front passenger seat or driver position."¹

In a rear-entry conversion the manufacturer cuts a channel into the rear floor and fits a fold-out ramp at the rear hatch. The wheelchair rolls up the ramp and forward into the channel, riding in the middle or rear of the vehicle. The front seats stay stock. BraunAbility's own comparison notes rear-entry "offers more interior space, allowing for bigger wheelchairs to fit," is generally less costly, but that the wheelchair user "cannot drive the vehicle or ride as a front-seat passenger."¹

Head-to-head

In-floor vs. fold-out ramps (side-entry only)

A fold-out ramp is hinged inside the sliding door and folds down to the ground; when stowed it stands upright inside the doorway. It is simpler, lighter and less expensive, and it can be operated manually if power fails — but it blocks the side door for ambulatory passengers unless deployed. An in-floor ramp slides out from a compartment under the lowered floor; the doorway stays clear, ambulatory passengers use the door normally, and the cabin is quieter and cleaner because there is no ramp standing inside. In-floor costs more, adds complexity, and, because it stows under the floor, sits slightly lower to the ground. Manufacturers offer both "manual or automatic ramps or lifts" on side-entry vans.¹

Questions that usually settle it

1. Will the wheelchair user ever drive? If yes now or plausibly within the life of the van, side-entry.
2. Chair dimensions, occupied, including any ventilator or tray. Measure length, width and height and the total weight. We check them against the specific conversion's door opening, floor length and ramp rating — not against a brochure.
3. Where does it park? Tight garage, city street, or a workplace lot with no accessible spaces all favor rear-entry.
4. Who else rides? A family of five with one wheelchair user has different seating needs than a couple.
5. Budget, honestly. A pre-owned side-entry and a new rear-entry can land at similar prices; we'll show both.

Parking-space, floor-drop and ramp-length figures above are general industry ranges from our own experience with the conversions we sell; exact dimensions vary by manufacturer and model year, and we will confirm them for any specific vehicle before you buy.