Whether it's for wheelchair access, school runs, private hire vehicles, large families, or you just love the design, sliding doors are a useful addition that makes it much easier for rear passengers to get in and out. Because they slide completely out of the way, they provide a nice, wide opening to the rear of any vehicle.
Vehicles with sliding side doors are extremely useful for a wide range of drivers. Parents love them because it makes it easier to load their children into the car, and older people or those with mobility issues will enjoy the ease of access, too. They're also a favourite amongst minicab and taxi drivers for the same reasons listed above.
So, what are the best used cars with sliding side doors in the UK? Here are our top picks.
- Citroën Berlingo
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class
- Ford Tourneo Connect
- Peugeot Rifter
- Citroën SpaceTourer
- Toyota Proace Verso
- Vauxhall Combo Life
- Ford Tourneo Custom
- Volskwagen ID.Buzz
- Kia PV5 Passenger
- Frequently asked questions
Citroën Berlingo
Citroën is a master of the practical, spacious family car, and the Berlingo MPV is a strong example of that. First launched in 1996, now in its third generation and available as the ë-Berlingo variant with a 200-mile range, the French brand is paving the way for a used sliding-door car option that doesn't break the bank.
It is, of course, initially based on the popular Citroën Berlingo Van, and inherits its sliding side doors from the world of commercial vehicles, where they are simply essential. Comfort, technology and material quality are in another league compared with the van model, however.
There are currently two versions of the standard and ë-Berlingo: M and XL, both with sliding side doors. The XL offers a larger boot and the option of seven seats, so if you need ultimate practicality, that's the one to go for.
With all the seats down, you get a huge 3,500 litres in the M and 4,000 litres in the XL, making this not only a comfortable family MPV, but also a practical van when you've got large items to transport.
Search Used Citroën BerlingoMercedes-Benz V-Class
For those looking for luxury with sliding doors, then the Mercedes-Benz V-Class is one to cast your eyes upon. A somewhat surprising entrant into the sliding side doors segment, the V-Class trumps many of the cars in this list, not just because of its prestige badge, but also due to the electrically-powered sliding side doors on both sides - a nice touch.
Further nice touches on the inside include plush seating for up to eight passengers and a well-finished dashboard with a pair of 12.3-inch widescreen displays, and individual leather seats for comfort on long trips. The tailgate is electrically powered, too.
Alongside the usual strong Mercedes-Benz diesel powertrains, there is also an all-electric version which gives a capable 211-mile range and a 10 to 80 percent rapid charging speed close to 40 to 45 minutes.
This is a large, luxury vehicle capable of carrying a full load of passengers and their luggage, making it a strong option for private-hire companies offering premium airport runs and European tours with the family. Yes, it's likely to have a bigger price tag than many on this list, but with all its features, it's well worth a look.
Search Used Mercedes-BenzFord Tourneo Connect
You're spoilt for choice with people-movers from the used Ford range, with the Galaxy and S-MAX sitting alongside the Tourneo Connect, Tourneo Custom, B-MAX and Grand C-MAX, four of which feature sliding side doors for rear passengers.
Like some of the other models mentioned in this list, the Tourneo Connect is based on a commercial vehicle - the Transit Connect. That's no bad thing, because it means that the boxy proportions maximise the available space into which you can place people, and their things.
If you need even more space or seven seats, the Grand Tourneo Connect offers a duo of options: a short-wheelbase and a long-wheelbase, both with sliding doors. With the option to put all seats down in either version, you can also turn this Ford MPV back into a functional Ford van.
Search Used Ford Tourneo ConnectPeugeot Rifter
Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall are all owned by the same parent company, the PSA Group. When they launch a new vehicle, they tend to adapt it to each brand's respective audience, and the Rifter is no different. It is the Peugeot version of the Berlingo and the Vauxhall Combo Life.
That means it has all the space and practicality of the Berlingo, including a plethora of interior storage and an aeroplane-style locker that drops down from the roof.
The Rifter offers a different look from most MPVs, with chunkier body cladding, Peugeot's corporate front nose, and a nice choice of alloy wheels that do wonders for the aesthetics, giving the Rifter sharper styling than its cousins.
The cabin is certainly more Peugeot than Citroën, offering the Peugeot i-Cockpit up front, which features a compact steering wheel, a driver's HUD, and a central 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, designed to be comfortable for the driver while supporting a more focused driving experience.
Search Used Peugeot RifterCitroën SpaceTourer
Offering ultimate practicality for up to nine occupants, depending on which one you buy, the Citroën SpaceTourer is yet another van-based MPV, although this time it inherits its underpinnings from the multi-award-winning Dispatch, which is much larger than the Berlingo. This means the available space is on another level, with tremendous room and a seating layout that is entirely configurable to your needs.
As well as lots of diesel powertrain options throughout the range, including a 177bhp range topper, there is also an all-electric Citroën e-SpaceTourer. Although there are longer-ranged electric MPVs, the ë-SpaceTourer will manage a competent 143 miles in the right conditions.
The party piece of the SpaceTourer is undoubtedly its rear doors, which (on top-spec models) are not just electrically powered but also hands-free, and can be operated by waving your foot under the side of the car.
Search Used Citroën SpaceTourerToyota Proace Verso
If reliability is top of the list when looking for a used car with sliding doors, then a used Toyota Proace Verso might just whet your appetite. It features the usual Toyota refinements and quality throughout, and, depending on the spec and size variant (compact, medium, or long), it arrives as a 6-, 7-, 8-, or 9-seat option. Three trim levels are also available, each suited to a particular customer type, from large families to VIP private-hire.
Like many on this list, the Proace Verso is based on a van, offering a roomy, boxy silhouette that gives you ample space, whichever seat layout you choose. It also shares its platform with the Citroën SpaceTourer, which rolls off the same production line under a deal between Toyota and the PSA Group.
If you've got the option for home charging and you're after a greener option, there is also an all-electric Toyota Proace Verso, which offers around 143 miles and a stronger 214-mile range, depending on the battery size you choose.
Inside the Proace Verso, you'll get lots of space, even in the 8-seater compact version, with plenty of legroom for adult-sized occupants. However, if you're intending to regularly transport a lot of people around, going for the medium and long versions will give a more comfortable ride for everyone involved.
Search Used Toyota Proace VersoVauxhall Combo Life
The final entrant into the PSA Group MPV with sliding doors trio is the Vauxhall Combo Life, and what's true about the first two is true about this one, too. The British-based company has done a good job of making it look like a Vauxhall, however, with a distinctive front and rear-end design.
It, too, is available in M and XL versions, and all three models are notable for fitting three child seats in the back, thanks to the individual rear seats rather than a bench. The Combo Life is very safe, scoring 91 and 81 percent for adult and child protection respectively, in the Euro NCAP assessment.
The Combo Life shares powertrains with the Berlingo and Rifter, including an all-electric model, which is perfect for families and those who want a more eco-friendly option. Out of the three, it's the more keenly priced option, still with all the interior comforts and space you'll need, in a simpler interior design.
Search Used Vauxhall Combo LifeFord Tourneo Custom
Practical and functional are the two words that best describe the Ford Tourneo Custom. It's the MPV version of the infamous Ford Transit Custom, reimagined as a passenger-focused MPV, swapping tools for seats.
Larger than the Ford Tourneo Connect, it feels designed for convenience, with lots of options to suit everyone's lifestyle. Two lengths, 8 or 9 seats, several powertrains including an economical PHEV and greener all-electric version, 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox, and 2WD or 4WD. There is something for everyone with the Tourneo Custom.
Although from a distance the Tourneo Custom looks like its workhorse twin, inside it's a completely different story. Although not quite as plush as the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, it still delivers in comfort and tech. A large 13-inch central infotainment screen controls a lot of the Tourneo Custom's features, while a smaller 8-inch driver display delivers everything the driver needs up front.
Six adults can relax in the rear seats, while the front seats hold the driver and either one or two front passengers in comfort, depending on whether you've got the 8- or 9-seater. With that level of personalisation, it feels like a Ford throughout, and although it's on a van's framework, it drives like a car.
Search Used Ford Tourneo CustomVolkswagen ID. Buzz
If retro-design and electric power are your thing, then a used Volkswagen ID. Buzz, styled on the Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) Microbus from the 1950s, is hard to ignore.
Not only does the ID. Buzz stand out; it's also a functional MPV, with sliding doors and two wheelbase options, and it arrives as 5-, 6-, and 7-seater versions, giving you the choice to suit your lifestyle.
Of course, it's all-electric, offering 282bhp and a 79kWh battery in the 5-seat, SWB version, giving you 283 miles of range depending on conditions, while the long-wheelbase (LWB) version has a slightly bigger battery, offering a decent 293-mile range. Perfect for long trips and adventures with the family.
And for those who like to scoff at BMWs at the lights, there is also a GTX trim available on both wheelbases, with a motor on each axle, delivering a total of 335bhp and 413lb ft of torque. It loses a bit of range, but it increases the towing capacity to 1,800kg from 1,000kg on the single-motor versions, making it more purposeful in other ways.
It doesn't drive like a van either, giving more vibes of a luxury SUV. As a result, with interior comfort all around and an amazing driver's cockpit full of techy bells and whistles, it's a seriously appealing choice.
Search Used VolkswagenKia PV5 Passenger
Although fairly new, Kia PV5 Passenger models are starting to appear in the used car market, and they’re already turning heads for all the right reasons, including its modular design.
Modular design? Yes, the PV5 Passenger is built on a PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) designed for quick, customisable upper-body swaps. In real words, you can easily turn your family car into a van and back again without too much hassle. So when you're looking at a used PV5 and the spec isn't exactly what you want, you can customise the interior to suit your lifestyle.
The Kia PV5 Passenger comes as a 5-, 6-, or 7-seater, and as a WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicle), with two battery options offering 183 or 256 miles of range. The larger battery also delivers more power, upping the standard output from 120bhp to 160bhp.
Inside, there are all the usual Kia refinements, including captain's chairs up front and Kia's central 12.9in touchscreen for commanding the PV5. And when it is on the road, it drives smoothly and effortlessly, and not van-like at all.
With Kia offering a seamless transferable warranty when sold, the Kia PV5 Passenger stands out as a particularly secure and appealing option for second-hand buyers.
Search Used Kia PV5 PassengerFrequently asked questions
Cars with sliding doors are known as MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles) or people carriers in the UK. These vehicles are engineered to transport five or more passengers and often feature rear sliding doors to improve access in tight spaces.
In the UK, cars with sliding rear doors are typically MPVs (people carriers). Popular models include the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Rifter, Vauxhall Combo Life, Ford Tourneo Connect, Ford Tourneo Custom, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Citroën SpaceTourer, Toyota Proace Verso and the electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Older models such as the Volkswagen Sharan, SEAT Alhambra and Ford Grand C-MAX also featured sliding doors, while newer options like the Kia PV5 Passenger are beginning to enter the market.
Yes, some electric MPVs and electric vans come with sliding doors. Examples include the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Citroën e-SpaceTourer and Kia PV5 Passenger, all of which combine zero-emissions driving with the practicality of sliding rear doors.
Yes, sliding doors are designed to slide parallel to the car rather than swing open, making them ideal for tight spaces such as narrow parking bays and garages. Unlike conventional doors, they don’t need extra clearance to open, which makes getting in and out much easier in confined areas.
Sliding doors in cars prevent dings and knocks when parked in narrow spaces and offer wide accessibility for wheelchairs, bulky items, and child seats.
Best used cars with sliding doors: Which one should you buy?
Cars with sliding doors are a must for some people. Whether that's because they want better access to the rear seats, have a wheelchair user in the family, or they often take bulky items in and out of the car, they offer a level of practicality that’s hard to match. Whilst not as popular as the likes of an SUV, many manufacturers are more than aware of this segment of the market, with there being a raft of options to suit.
If you're interested in test driving a particular model, our team at your local Evans Halshaw retailer are ready and waiting to assist, so that you can drive away with confidence in a car that truly suits your needs.
