My spouse is under 5’ and usually sits on a booster pad to improve her ability to see out of the car. We are shopping for a new car and naturally want something with great visibility, where all the important “stuff” is within easy reach, yet doesn’t position her too close to the air bag.
Anybody have a recommendation? Don’t want an SUV (or minivan). A 2019 would be fine. Budget $20,000 - $25,000.
Well, you said no SUV, but the 2018 Honda CRV fits my 5’-0" wife just fine… And me at 6’ 2".
Honda Accord
Honda Accord Hybrid
Subaru Forrester
Ford EcoSport
Some cars with power seats have seat height adjustment, which non-powered seats usually don’t have. Our 2017 Subaru Forester has this, my wife usually like it adjusted high, while I prefer it lower. A car with an adjustable steering wheel and adjustable reach pedals might be useful too, but if it’s just seat height, look for a car with powered seats that includes seat height. I can’t offer any suggestions other than Subaru, most makes probably have this.
I think most cars would be fine, especially taller ones (SUVs, Pick ups etc). Like other said, look for ones where the seat goes up and down, but I’d add that you should specifically look for one where the steering column telescopes (which is most of them now) and the pedals can be adjusted. The pedals, IMO, is the important one. Being able to bring them closer to her means she isn’t as likely to move the seat so far forward that her chest is inches from the steering wheel when she’s driving.
And, if you drive her car on a remotely regular basis, find one that can save at least one (but 2 would be better) seat settings. This way you can put it where you need it, and she doesn’t have to spend 2 minutes trying to get it comfortable again.
The VW Golf has a manual height adjustable seat, it’s a lever you push down repeatedly to raise seat height, pull up to lower, and has a very long adjustment range forward and back, the steering wheel both tilts AND telescopes
The real killer deals in VW right now are the “dieselgate” TDI, they all have to have an emissions modification to be sellable in the US market, and it has negligible impact on performance or economy
I picked up a 2012 Golf TDI with 50k and the DSG automatic (automated manual, really) for $9,000
It comes with a 2 year unlimited miles bumper to bumper warranty, and an emissions/power train warranty for 48,000 miles from the new in-service date
I get around 36-46 MPG depending on conditions, it has a mere 140 HP, but 236 TQ.
2010-2014 models do not have the AdBlue system, just the Diesel Particulate Filter, and the rear suspension is independent (better handling)
2015+ models have 150/236 HP/TQ, get perhaps less than 4 MPG better, but have the AdBlue system that needs fluid refills every 10k miles, have slightly less NOx emissions, but have a downgraded rear suspension, a simple torsion beam rear
The manual transmission is still available and usually is a tad more expensive, the DSG is more common and slightly less expensive, but does require fluid changes every 40k, an additional expense over the manual
It’s a real sleeper value, and available as a hatchback (Golf) or station wagon (Golf/Jetta Sportwagen)
The Golf DSG also has paddle shifters on the steering wheel, driving lights, and the heated seats are a very durable cloth
The Jetta Sportwagen does not have paddles on the DSG, no driving lights, and the seats are “leatherette”
Not sure what the Golf Sportwagen has, as I wasn’t looking at that model
They also make a gasoline AWD wagon called the Golf Sportwagen Alltrak
One other thing generally true about German cars;
They’re reliable, BUT you need to follow the maintenance schedule exactly (would you expect anything else from Germany? 
) my previous’07 Rabbit was utterly reliable, and had 140k on the stock clutch and transmission fluid before I sold I (body rust, the curse of New England roads) and I even ignored the maintenance schedule, just doing oil changes and tire rotations, it was still a rock, never failed or left me stranded
If all you want is a transportation appliance, get a Toyota or Honda, great cars, as reliable as the universe, but not as much fun to drive
VW is theoretically a little less reliable (although my experience does not point to that), but are far more enjoyable to drive, every time I get in my car, I’ve got an ear to ear grin the whole time I’m on the road, and to me, that’s a far more acceptable Choice than appliance-like reliability…
…of course I may change my opinion if the DSG craps out, but there’s no way in hell im ever going to own a CVT or another sludgebox, Manual or DSG for me, and first choice is manual 
Hondas;both are good
Subaru; AVOID THE CVT! extremely unreliable and expensive to fix (replace, actually) anywhere from 3k to 7k… their manuals are still good, but AVOID the CVT, or at the very least, budget in for the eventual transmission failure, search YouTube for more info on how bad CVT is, and definitely avoid Nissan CVT, theirs are virtually guaranteed to grenade on you, search YT for JATCO CVT…
Ford EcoSport; decent car, in a manual, avoid their dual-clutch “PowerShift” transmission, Ford mechanics and owners call it a “PowerShit” for a reason (again, check YouTube)
Transmission reliability (best to worst)
Manual>Toyota E-CVT>conventional automatic (torque converter)>bicycle>horseback>walking>CVT
That hasn’t been my experience with my Subaru CVT (165K), nor with a half dozen or so of my friends. I’ve certainly heard the stories and I know they’ve extended the warranty, but can you point me at some data to peruse?
Been looking at the Accord as it shows up on a few Googled lists of “best Cars for Short People.” In fact, I just sat in one yesterday. Whomever is compiling those list must not be referring to the base model with manual seat adjustments because, while you can adjust the seat height slightly, my wife’s sightline would barely be over the top of the steering wheel. Perhaps the available power seats take you to greater heights?