Find the Best Wheelchair Lifts for Cars

When considering which lift is right for you, think in the long-term. What will be the easiest for you to operate every day? Do you need an interior lift, exterior lift or a hybrid lift? What is your budget? If possible, the price should be a secondary issue when considering the best wheelchair or scooter lift.

All prices are correct as of the time of publishing.

What we like: The Millennium Series is BraunAbility’s most popular wheelchair lift. Lifts can be installed in the side or rear of vans and are available in three sizes — 43, 47 and 51 inches — so it can accommodate a range of wheelchair sizes. The platform lifts weigh 332–354 pounds, depending on their size. The Millennium Series is VA-approved and compliant with the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

The Millennium Series is operated by handheld control, on-lift control or remote control. Color-coded rocker switches provide an easy way to control the wheelchair lift, even for those with limited dexterity. If anything goes wrong, the Millennium Series has a built-in diagnostic system that makes troubleshooting easy. Your local BraunAbility dealer can also provide services and repairs after purchasing and installing the Millennium Series. BraunAbility provides leasing options on its website — approvals take about two minutes.

What to consider: The Millennium Series is intended for vans. It won’t work for smaller vehicles like sedans because of its large size. Also, if you choose a platform length of 47 or 51 inches, the top and doors of the van will need to be raised.

Bottom line: If you have a van, the Millennium Series by BraunAbility is a solid choice that comes in a variety of sizes. It’s good for those who need to lift a heavy mobility device, but also want a quiet ride.

What we like: The Curb-Sider is Bruno’s most popular classic hoist-style lift, which means the wheelchair or scooter is lifted up and into the car via a docking device. Hoist-style lifts like the Curb-Sider are compact, so it’s ideal for trucks and even leaves room for the third row of seats in vans. When the Curb-Sider isn’t in use, it can be folded down. That way, you can easily see out the rear of the car while driving. The Curb-Sider doesn’t require vehicle modification in any way, so it can be transferred from car to car. It is available both for side entry and rear entry and is compatible with a wide variety of vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, vans, minivans and crossover vehicles. We also like that the Curb-Sider comes with a three-year limited warranty and that the hand control is weather resistant.

The VSL-6900 model of the Curb-Sider has an extra extension to help with larger mobility devices and vehicles with large bumpers. Simply attach the docking device to the wheelchair or scooter, then push a button and the Curb-Sider will lift the scooter into the vehicle. Some gentle guidance could be required to help it move in smoothly—then push the docking button to lower the wheelchair to the floor.

What to consider: Make sure you are physically able to operate this wheelchair lift before purchasing, as it does require some effort. The operator needs to be able to walk a few feet, operate the docking device, bend over and use the buttons on the handheld control. The best way to know if you’re able to do this is to try out the wheelchair lift in person.

Bottom line: The Curb-Sider is an affordable option for those with the dexterity to operate it. If you aren’t able to operate it, you will need someone to help you. The Curb-Sider is also a good choice for pickup trucks.

What we like: The Harmar AL350 by Harmar is compatible with both scooters and wheelchairs. The platform measures 27.5 inches by 39 inches and can accommodate most midsized mobility devices. Four adjustable straps are used to tie down the mobility device and keep it stable. A simple switch makes it easy to raise or lower it, a convenient feature for users with limited dexterity. The switch also has a key for added security. Customizable features on this model include the hitch type, power supply and swing away option. Professional lift installation is available for an additional fee.

The Harmar AL350 comes with a three-year limited warranty. The warranty is transferable, meaning the warranty comes with the lift if you decide to sell it, which increases the value of the lift and the car it’s associated with. If you are dissatisfied with the Harmar AL350, you can return the product within 30 days. Certain terms and conditions apply.

What to consider: This particular model by Harmar is only sold through Spinlife dealers, so make sure to narrow your search to nearby Spinlife locations. This model can lift 350 pounds, so it cannot accommodate the heaviest mobility devices. A small percentage of reviewers also mention the tie-down straps as being a bit difficult to use, though these can be replaced with better ones.

Bottom line: The Harmar AL350 is good for those looking for an affordable, convenient power lift for their mobility device. However, those looking for the latest technology or a lift capable of carrying a wheelchair or scooter on the heavier end of the spectrum have better options.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a wheelchair lift for a car, truck or van. One such factor is the type of wheelchair lift you want. The type that’s best for you will depend on your vehicle, whether you have a wheelchair or a scooter and your mobility capabilities. In general, smaller vehicles benefit from an exterior lift and interior lifts work well with larger vehicles. Users with limited mobility often prefer hybrid lift options, as these are the easiest to operate. If in doubt, an affordable exterior lift is a good option because of its ease of use and ability to be easily transferred to another vehicle.

Exterior wheelchair lifts

An exterior scooter lift for cars is a platform mounted on the outside of the vehicle. They are popular because they are affordable and compatible with almost any vehicle. Wheelchair hitch lifts take up no space within the car and can easily be transferred from one vehicle to another. To operate this type of lift, the user needs to be able to walk a few feet comfortably, stand for a few minutes, maneuver the mobility device onto the platform and operate buttons on a power lift. The mobility device is strapped to the lift using tie-down straps that keep the mobility device in place.

One drawback of exterior lifts is that they leave the mobility device exposed to the elements. Exterior wheelchair lifts are best for smaller cars like sedans that don’t have room inside and for people who don’t have someone to help them with getting a wheelchair into a car.

Interior wheelchair lifts

Interior wheelchair lifts are mounted inside the vehicle, and the device lifts the wheelchair into the car. Most interior lifts are docking devices that lift the mobility device using attachments. Interior wheelchair lifts work when raising into a truck bed, rear cargo area or side-entry of a van. It typically can be collapsed so it doesn’t take up too much space when not in use.

Interior lifts are more difficult to operate than exterior lifts. To lift the wheelchair or scooter, the user has to attach the docking device to the wheelchair. The device lifts the scooter up and into the vehicle. People using this form of lift will need to be able to walk comfortably a few feet, stand for a few minutes, hook the docking device to the wheelchair and guide the mobility device into the car. Those with physical help from another might like this best, as will those with available space in their vehicle.

Hybrid wheelchair lifts

A hybrid lift accepts a drive-on platform, like exterior lifts do, but also takes the wheelchair inside the car, like interior lifts. A hybrid lift does not require extensive remodeling of a vehicle — it will attach to your vehicle seating and extend out of the car to allow the placement of the mobility device. Hybrid lifts require the user to walk a few feet, stand a few minutes, move the mobility device on and off the platform and use buttons to operate the lift.

One drawback is that you still need tie-downs, even though the mobility device is stored within the car. Hybrid lifts are best for vans, SUVS and other large vehicles since the lift platform needs to fit inside the vehicle. Hybrid lifts provide the ease of exterior lifts with the added protection of interior lifts.

How much does a wheelchair lift for a van cost?

An interior wheelchair lift that can be detached from the car costs between $1,000 and $3,000; simple exterior lift costs range from $200 to $1,000. Manual exterior lifts fall toward the lower end of this range, and powered lifts fall toward the higher end. More complex exterior wheelchair lifts for cars can cost more, between $5,000 and $10,000. Wheelchair lift prices also depend on factors such as equipment quality, ease of use, size and lift type.

Does Medicare cover wheelchair lifts?

No. Under Medicare Part B, durable medical equipment (DME) can be covered — this includes wheelchairs and scooters themselves, but not wheelchair lifts or scooter lifts. Although many people think a wheelchair lift should fall under the DME category, Medicare does not classify it as such. For that reason, Medicare will not cover a wheelchair lift.