One of the most fun parts of sorting through cars for petite women is that it’s like shopping for shoes on someone else’s credit card. I myself happen to be of diminutive stature (5’2”, thankyouverymuch), and I am not amused by cars with ultra jacked up dashboards that are difficult to see over, or engineers that do not take into account limited sight range/leg length.

That having been said, tiny cowgirls like myself are not only looking to wrangle the smallest steer, if you catch my drift. We have all different needs in terms of speed and style, and these are a few of my faves in best cars for petite women.

Top Pick in Cars For Petite Women – Hyundai Elantra

I’m not totally sure how companies decide on names for cars, but if the Hyundai Elantra is named for its elegance and the trance it seems to put its reviewers in, then that would be right on point. The Korean automaker has been lauded all over the place for the Elantra, and here’s the best part for petite women – Koreans tend to be slightly smaller in stature, so Hyundai has a better overall understanding of what makes the best cars for petite women. The Limited trim comes with a rearview camera, which makes blind spots almost non-existent, no matter how short you are, as well as side mirrors with turn signal indicators to ensure that, even if you don’t see someone else, they know where you’re headed. A telescoping steering wheel, one that tilts and moves closer to your body, come standard on the Limited and optional on the GLS, and driver seat height adjustment is standard on both trims. That’s a clear indicator that, regardless of what a petite powerhouse you are, you’ll be able to adjust all angles on the drivers seat to get the perfect view.

First Runner-Up in Cars For Petite Women – Porsche Cayman S

Let’s call it what it is – the Porsche Cayman S is the car for a boss. And as any diminutive lady will tell you, the smaller you are, the tougher you have to be. The Cayman is itself a lovely little machine, and you may have seen more than one big dude trying to fit himself (un)comfortably inside. The beauty of this car for petite women is that it is sleekly small, built to fit our dimensions like a glove. The Porsche’s seats are adjustable in every direction imaginable, and you can save your perfect seat settings so that when you unlock the vehicle, your seats began their dance to your customized comfort. Mmm, it’s those thoughtful extras that you pay for with luxury cars, and pay you will. The Cayman S is no cheap ride, but it may be the only one you ever need.

Second Runner-Up in Cars For Petite Women – Honda Fit

Adorable, both in price and styling, the Honda Fit is an excellent choice in cars for petite women. It also just so happened to win the CarWoo! Fan Favorite Award for July, which should be something of a vote of confidence. Aside from the fact that it’s extremely reliable and affordable for even the most petite of budgets, the Fit manages to be a car well-suited for smaller statured ladies, while still having plenty of storage space, thanks to the 2^nd row Magic Seat, which lays completely flat. Additionally, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel comes standard on all trims, so you’ll be fit to drive right from the get.

[photo courtesy of flickr user meehanf]