I'm a 70-year-old woman who needs a vehicle for transporting art canvases, 48 inches at the largest. I also have a bad back and have to watch my budget.
A swing-gate cargo door like what’s on the 2010 Toyota RAV4 may have the ease of use combined with a large cargo opening to get the job done. The RAV4 has a starting price of $21,675, not including an $800 destination charge. Don’t be afraid to bring a tape measure to dealerships to find the perfect cargo area 48 inches wide or larger.
In most situations, we’re not a fan of the swing-gate door because it takes up real estate behind the car when opened, and you can load from only one side. But in your situation, this style may be beneficial because the handle will always be the same height off the ground, unlike a liftgate where the handle will be above your head when the cargo door is open.
Other vehicles to consider are the Scion xB and Honda Element. Yes, they use a liftgate hatch, but both sit low to the ground and have a good-sized cargo opening and storage area. The xB starts at $15,850, and the Element is $20,525, not including destination charges of $670 and $780, respectively.
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