Best cars with sliding doors: top models for 2024
Cars with sliding doors are ideal for tight car parks and easy access – but which is best?
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If you’re in the market for the best cars with sliding doors, you’re likely after a car that’s practical and spacious.
Cars with sliding doors are ideal if you or your passengers have limited mobility, as they give you some extra space to get in and out of the car.
They’re also perfect in tight parking spots to avoid banging your doors, or when you need to get kids in and out of the car without too much messing around.
Cars with sliding doors are quite niche, but there are plenty of impressive options on the market.
Take a look at our picks for the best cars with sliding doors below.
Best cars with sliding doors in 2024
Citroën Berlingo
Peugeot Rifter
Ford Tourneo Connect
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Ford B-Max
Vauxhall Combo Life
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Citroën Berlingo
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A true classic in the world of sliding car doors, the Citroën Berlingo has been a staple in the category since 1996.
Since it started life as the Berlingo Van, you know you’re getting a workhorse, but the car version of the Berlingo still has plenty of creature comforts and tech to make it perfect for everyday life.
Both the M and XL Berlingo come with sliding doors, offering five-seats and seven-seats respectively.
Peugeot Rifter
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Another French icon, the Rifter is one of the best cars with sliding doors that’s based on van styling, but with tasteful Peugeot styling to make it feel much more car-like.
There are Isofix car seat points across the middle row of seats so it’s ideal if you have younger children, plus loads of storage.
Like the Citroën Berlingo and Vauxhall Combo it shares its underpinnings with, you can get the Rifter in two different lengths for either five or seven seats.
You now also get the choice of an electric e-Rifter, though these are harder to find on the used market at the minute.
Ford Tourneo Connect
 "Ford Tourneo Connect exterior")
The Tourneo Connect is Ford’s take on a van-based car with extra features and a sliding door for accessibility, and its sleek styling is a bit more traditional than the quirky takes from French rivals.
And you still get a choice of five or seven seats depending on whether you choose the standard Ford Tourneo Connect or the Grand.
The interior is cavernously spacious in both. Seven people won’t feel squished, and you can tell it’s based on the Ford Transit van from how roomy it is.
Plus, the 1,213-litre boot in the five-seater is ideal for pushchairs or mobility aids.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
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If you want something that’s fresh on the market and pretty unique, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz is one of the best cars with sliding doors, bringing a retro flare to a modern car.
Inspired by the VW vans of years passed, the ID. Buzz is an electric five- or seven-seater with plenty of space, along with all the tech and features you’ll need.
You’ll have a 306-litre boot at the rear (with seven seats in place) that can extend to 1,340-litres in five seat mode. The five-seater SWB model has 1,121 litres to offer as standard.
Sliding doors make it accessible and comfortable, and can you really argue against a car that looks like it belongs on the set of the ‘Cars’ movie?
Ford B-Max
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It wouldn’t be a ‘best cars with sliding doors’ list unless we mentioned the Ford B-Max – it's a staple on the used car market.
A big reason the B-Max is so popular is because it gives you all that practicality but doesn’t look like a van – ideal if models like the Rifter aren’t your cup of tea.
It has a 318-litre boot as standard, but that can extend to 1,386 litres if you fold down the seats.
You can no longer buy the B-Max brand-new from Ford, but there are plenty of used options available at great prices.
Vauxhall Combo Life
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So, you’ve met the Berlingo and the Rifter, but what about the final sibling in the trio?
The Vauxhall Combo Life is built on the same platform as the Citroën and Peugeot alternatives and is one of the best sliding door cars on the market.
Just like the others, you can choose the M or XL models for five or seven seats. The long wheelbase seven-seater has a row of sliding seats at the back, allowing for even more space and functionality.
The larger model also gives you a maximum of 2,693 litres of load space – so it can essentially perform as a small van if you want it to.
Advantages of cars with sliding doors
Easy access in tight spaces
There’s nothing like a tight car park to put the fear into you. Sliding out of a tiny gap while using your hand as a buffer against the car next to you is a rite.
Switching to a car with sliding doors means passengers in the back dodge this stress.
Better for children and pets
We said that sliding doors are ideal for tight spaces, but they’re also perfect for getting kids and pets in and out of the car.
You get a wider opening, which means fewer bumped heads and bad backs from lifting, and getting car seats fitted safely is easier as well.
Ideal for families and transporting large loads
Sliding doors are usually featured on larger cars, so they’re ideal for large families. They're also perfect for those with mobility issues who might need easier access to the car, or extra space for mobility aids.
Plenty of cars with sliding doors also have sliding seats that can fold down to make a minivan. They’re definitely a versatile option.
Frequently asked questions
Are cars with sliding doors more expensive?
It depends what you’re comparing them to. Cars with sliding doors will usually be more expensive than smaller models, but are typically cheaper than popular body types like SUVs.
Luckily, there are loads of options on the used market at great prices.
Can sliding doors be added to an existing car?
It might be possible to add sliding doors to some cars, but it’s not very common and buying a car with sliding doors from factory is probably the better option.
Do sliding doors reduce the value of a car?
There’s no evidence that really says sliding doors reduce the value of the car. In fact, since they’re not as popular as other body styles, you might be able to find a bargain on the used market.
Is a car with sliding doors the right choice for you?
Choosing one of the best cars with sliding doors might be the way to go if you need a practical vehicle that’s spacious and easy to access.
There’s plenty of choice on the used market, and more to come, such as the stylish and electric-powered VW ID. Buzz.
Take a look at our full range of used cars for sale.
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