This story was updated on 3/14/16 to reflect the MXV's status as the first volume-produced wheelchair-accessible SUV.

How about it, folks? Remember, 3.3 million potential customers are waiting for a cool set of wheels. Now it's time for more automakers and mobility manufacturers to rise to the challenge. But we know that Americans are crazy about SUVs, and being in a wheelchair doesn't radically change one's tastes or desires.ДЇord and BraunAbility deserve a standing ovation for bringing the MXV to market. The market for new accessible vehicles isn't huge BraunAbility estimates it at around 25,000 units per year. Clearly, converting these vehicles to make them wheelchair accessible is no simple (or cheap) task: BraunAbility says the MXV was one of the largest projects the company had undertaken, and required an investment of 'several million dollars' (they declined to disclose an exact amount) over the course of a 24-month development cycle. There are lots of roomy front-wheel-drive SUVs in the Explorer's size and price class: The Acura MDX, Buick Encore, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, and Infiniti QX60 all spring to mind. It's great that folks on wheels now have some access to these popular vehicles. SUVs are all the rage they are handsome and trendy but also very practical. I'm pleased to see the Explorer-based MXV hit the market. (And if that sounds like a lot, well, welcome to the world of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.) Pricing starts around $60,000, and BraunAbility says an MXV outfitted with basic hand controls would be priced in the mid-60s. Most wheelchair-accessible vehicles are fitted out for the needs of their individual owners, so putting an exact price on the BraunAbility MXV is difficult. BraunAbility mounts the transmission shifter on a sliding console that can be moved from side to side to provide more room as needed. The seats can also be rolled out of the van completely, and a locking mechanism can be fitted to accommodate a wheelchair in either front seating position (or both). Standard equipment for the MXV includes detachable front seats that roll back into to the middle of the vehicle for occupants who can transfer out of their wheelchair. The Explorer's second-row seat goes away, but the third row seat remains in place, providing room for ambulatory folk. BraunAbility fits a kneeling function to the Explorer's suspension in order to reduce the angle of the ramp. The floor is modified to provide a strong, flat surface and space for an in-floor side ramp.

(That pillar is one of the major structural components of the Explorer body, and BraunAbility has verified that the modified Explorer will meet crash tests standards for front, side and rollover impacts.) The back door gets a 'plug-type' hinge that allows it to move out and back, similar to the sliding door on a minivan. Converting the Explorer to an MXV requires a lot of doing: BraunAbility reshapes the right-side B-pillar (the post between the front and rear doors) to provide a bigger rear-door opening. It can cost anywhere from 16,000, to modify a vehicle you already own, to more than 80,000, to buy a new, late-model conversion, according to BraunAbility, which sells accessible autos and other mobility equipment through a national network of dealers. And, because it's an SUV, you can enjoy the sportiness you crave! Contact us to schedule a test drive TODAY ! or callВ 1-80.In order to be accessible, a vehicle must have enough space for a wheelchair to get in and move around. Outfitting an auto for greater accessibility is a major commitment. load capacity, and the new chassis allows the wheelchair ramp width to increase significantly from the ExplorerвЂ™s 28-inch ramp to a wide 30.25 inches of available width to accommodate larger powerchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

This latest handicap SUV, from the maker of the worldвЂ™s first wheelchair accessible SUV, BraunAbilityВ®, utilizes the tried and true in-floor wheelchair ramp system that when stored keeps the interior of the vehicle open and clutter-free. The Chevrolet Traverse wheelchair accessible SUV Mobility Crossover Vehicle (MXV) is the spacious handicap van alternative. Interior features include an adjustable shifter that slides to allow for additional space when the vehicle is being driven, as well as adjustable armrests, center console and cup holders, all of which are modular to ease mobility constraints. The newest Chevrolet Traverse has made several key improvements over previous mobility crossover vehicle conversions, including increased floorspace that can fit two wheelchairs, a three-person 3rd row seat, and a widened doorway and ramp. Ready to Test Drive the Wheelchair Accessible Traverse SUV?

Wheelchair accessible suv