The Acura ADX is a great car for shorter driversFinding a new car that fits you—literally—can feel like quite the task, especially if you're short. As a 5'0″, 100-lb driver, here are my recommendations.Every spring, the Midwest Automotive Media Association hosts a rally at Road America racetrack in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, allowing journalists and content creators to test nearly 100 vehicles back-to-back. So, I scoped out the vehicle list ahead of time and set out to compare the best small SUVs for short drivers on hand and pick my favorite.A little background here. I'm about 5 feet tall and weigh about 100 pounds. Thus, I am the size of the smallest crash-test dummy used in crash testing, and I'm the smallest-sized driver automakers typically design for. In crash-test-safety speak: I am the fifth-percentile female. So, while I certainly look at things from a comfort perspective, I'm also focused on safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that a driver's breastbone is at least 10 inches from the center of the steering wheel to ensure enough space from the airbag. So, I did measure my proximity to the wheel in each vehicle. AdvertisementAdvertisementTo avoid spoiler alerts, we'll run through the four vehicles I tested in alphabetical order, and I'll rate each SUV with a Short Girl rating.This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.First, How Do I Determine the Best Small SUVs for Short Drivers?Safety regulations suggest that the optimal distance between a person and their steering wheel is 10 inches – Credit: Jill CiminilloNot all SUVs are created equal, because not every SUV was specifically designed with shorter drivers in mind. Far too often, we end up perched on the edge of the seat just to reach the pedals or peering through the steering wheel just to see the road. Before I gave these cars a green light for us shorter drivers, here's what I looked for:Height-adjustable power seats: The first thing I look for is multi-way adjustments for the driver's seat that allow you to raise the seat cushion, not just slide it forward. This is essential for achieving a clear line of sight over the dashboard.Telescoping steering wheel: A wheel that only tilts up and down won't work. You need one that telescopes (pulls toward you) to maintain the 10-inch safety rule from the steering wheel hub while keeping your arms comfortably bent.Adjustable seat belt anchors: This prevents the belt from cutting into your neck, which is common when the B-pillar anchor is fixed too high.Adjustable thigh bolsters: These aren't as common, but they're designed to bridge the gap between the seat and the back of your knees. Without this, shorter drivers can find themselves literally sitting at the edge of their seat, straining their lower back or "slumping" towards the wheel.Adjustable pedals: Mostly trucks and SUVs and trucks from Ram or Ford offer this, but having adjustable pedals makes for a better fit.Slim A-pillar: The A-pillar, if you don't know, is the vertical structural support on either side of your windshield. When these pillars are thick (common in modern cars due to rollover safety regulations and housing for curtain airbags), they create significant blind spots that can hide pedestrians, cyclists, or even small cars at intersections. Slimmer A-pillars make it easier for shorter drivers to see through the windshield.Programmable power liftgate: This is an underrated feature that allows you to set a maximum opening height to ensure you can reach the close button without standing on your tiptoes or asking your tall friend for help. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe nice thing about these features is that they benefit all drivers, not just short drivers.The 2026 Acura ADX is Attractive, Stylish, and FunOur lifestyle and reviews of the Acura ADX inspired her to buy one – Credit: Natalie MerolaOne of the best things about the Acura ADX is that it makes entry luxury a little more affordable. This is stylish and well-appointed, and the design is attractive. Plus, the overall driving position is excellent for a shorter driver with good visibility out of all the windows, a slimmer A-Pillar that reduces blind spots and plenty of space between me and the steering wheel. I like the tech as well as the ride and handling, but I will say the engine is kind of wimpy for an Acura, and the seats are a bit hard on longer drives. Natalie Merola's mom, who stands at 5'1″, bought a 2025 Acura ADX after driving one and falling in love with it. Her favorite features revolved around how friendly it was for her stature, so that's two short drivers saying it's great.Distance from steering wheel: 12 inchesVehicle length: 185.8 inchesBase price: $35,000As-test price: $45,850Short-girl rating: 10The Alfa Romeo Tonale is Hip, Sporty, UniqueThe size of the Alfa Romeo Tonale is perfect for drivers my size – Credit: Jill CiminilloHands-down, the Alfa Romeo Tonale was the most fun sub-coAdvertisementAdvertisementmpact SUV I drove at the MAMA Spring Rally. I had the opportunity to take it out on the racetrack as well as put it through its paces on the winding roads of Elkhart Lake. Outside of MAMA, I had the opportunity to drive this on an ice track in Montreal, Canada, and dang, this thing handles the cold stuff well!In all circumstances, this vehicle is a true joy to drive. Visibility was generally good, and I had a comfy driving position. However, with overly bolstered seats, entry to and exit from the vehicle are a bit awkward for shorter drivers who have a far-forward driving position, and I struggled to get into and out of the vehicle, which could get a bit old if this were my every-day driver. Distance from steering wheel: 11 inchesVehicle length: 178.3 inchesBase price: $40,745As-test price: $49,885Short-girl rating: 9The Best Luxury Car for Short Drivers Was, Hands Down, the Lexus NXThe Lexus NX is an easy recommendation to make – Credit: Jill CiminilloThe Lexus NX is one of those vehicles that's like your most comfortable pair of jeans. You slide behind the wheel, and everything just fits. The seats are plush and mold to your body, and they are highly adjustable, allowing for excellent short-girl driving positions. While this isn't the sportiest or most affordable, I will say it is the smoothest.AdvertisementAdvertisementSo, if you prize comfort over sport, the NX is a great all-around option. I'm also a huge fan of the multitude of powertrains available on this model, from gas-only to hybrid to plug-in hybrid. On the downside, the rear-view mirror is a bit fussy to fine-tune, and there are a lot of unexpected plastic trim pieces for the price.Distance from steering wheel: 11 inchesVehicle length: 183.5 inchesBase price: $47,220As-test price: $67,289Short-girl rating: 10Finally, the VW Taos is Affordable and UnassumingThe Taos is one of the more affordable choices – Credit: Jill CiminilloFull disclosure here: I am a VW owner and have been for more than a decade. So, it shouldn't surprise you to learn that I did enjoy the peppy acceleration and sporty feel the VW Taos has. And, while it's not considered premium or luxury like the other vehicles on the list, to me, VW has always had a more upscale feel to it with a more affordable price tag.I had a generous amount of space in the driver's seat and good visibility out of all the windows. However, I didn't love the headrests, and like the Tonale, the Taos did have some aggressive bolsters that I had to climb over to enter the SUV. Plus, I also felt like I sat a bit low, which adds to the sportiness but could be problematic for some petite drivers. AdvertisementAdvertisementDistance from steering wheel: 12 inchesVehicle length: 175.9 inchesBase price: $27,975As-test price: $37,375Short-girl rating: 10Is There Truly a Winner?There is for me—I'd pick the Lexus – Credit: Jill CiminilloWhen we were house shopping once, we had a realtor tell us: "Every house has a wart. So, the question you have to ask yourself is: 'Is this a wart you can live with?'" I've found the same is true with cars. No car is perfect, but is the imperfection something you can live with? I've had cars where I've traded comfort for sporty handling. And I've had cars where I've prioritized driving position over engine power. So, only you can prioritize what's most important, and what you can live with because you like everything else. I was surprised that every SUV in this bunch would work for small drivers, and I gave most of them a 10 out of 10 rating. I only dinged the Tonale because of those aggressive bolsters, which could be a dealbreaker on a daily basis.So, for me, in this batch, I'd pick the Lexus NX. It was the most comfortable, had plenty of power, smoothed out the rough road surfaces and had some great technology. While I didn't like the plasticky bits, I could deal with them to get all the other things. My second favorite would be a toss-up between the VW Taos and the Alfa Romeo Tonale, where I'd have to trade some comfort for the sheer joy of driving. So, that puts the Acura ADX at the bottom of the batch. While it is a good car for short drivers, the engine and seat comfort are warts I personally cannot live with. AdvertisementAdvertisementWant a more in-depth look at each vehicle and how they measure up? Be sure to check out my full video review.
