We all want our homes to stay safe, clean, and free from germs and bacteria. However, certain factors limit us from doing so. Factors may include disability, immobility, or lack of energy to clean. All of these point directly to old age.
We all have our preferences when it comes to purchasing a car. However, when it comes to seniors, some crucial factors should be considered first. Seniors tend to have lesser flexibility and poorer eyesight which may affect their ability to drive.
That’s why in this article, I will be sharing the most recommended cars for seniors as well as some factors and features to consider before purchasing one.
Before deciding on what car you’ll purchase, taking several factors into consideration helps you assess what’s the best car choice for you.
Safety
This is one of the most crucial factors that one must consider when buying the best cars for seniors. When shopping for one, take note of the safety features that it has to offer such as auto brakes, airbags, and rearview cameras.
Accessibility
Seniors should also consider vehicles that have good accessibility features. Seniors tend to have poorer motor skills, flexibility, and memory. Keyless cars with push-button ignition are the best option for seniors.
Seniors with joint and bone problems like osteoporosis and arthritis can opt for low-step-in vehicles for easy entrance and exit. A wider entrance and spacious seats are also good features to address these matters.
Space
If you prefer a spacious best car for seniors, you should opt for an SUV. On the other hand, if you have a smaller parking space and prefer a fuel-efficient car, sedans are a better choice.
Comfort
Driving is more tiring than it looks. Sitting for long periods can trigger joint pains and stiffness, especially among senior drivers. That’s why it’s important to ensure you’re buying a car that provides sheer comfort for short or long drives.
Controls
Easy-to-read fonts, clear dashboards, voice controls, and touchscreen controls are the most convenient features suitable for seniors. Not only that it’s easier to familiarize, but it provides the most comfort and convenience for seniors with hearing impairments and eyesight problems.
Budget and Maintenance
You don’t have to endure paying for maintenance costs because there are affordable and cost-efficient cars out there. Generally, sedans are more cost-efficient than SUVs since it’s smaller in size.
Aside from the factors mentioned earlier, you can also look out for these helpful car features for senior drivers:
Parking assistance
Best cars for seniors nowadays have this safety feature wherein it guides you whenever you are to park. This is an automated feature, meaning you don’t have to completely rely on your line of sight when trying to part at the right place and angle.
Cruise control
This is another feature that comes in handy during traffic hours. It helps you maintain your distance from the vehicle ahead of you by adjusting the speed of your car based on the speed of the vehicle in front of you.
Lane-keep assistance
A convenient feature for senior drivers. This helps keep you on the right track on the road by sending out alerts whenever you are deviating from the right lane.
Emergency brake
This feature is very useful in preventing accidents and major damage. It even alerts the driver if a crash or collision is about to happen.
Now that you know the features of the best cars for seniors, it’s time to find the right brand and model. Below are just some of the best car recommendations for seniors.
SUVs
Also known as a Sport Utility Vehicle. It is a car classification that is described as a bulky, heavy, but spacious unit designed for rough or snowy terrains. SUVs also provide better visibility, a good feature for senior drivers. The only downside of this type of car is that it may come at a higher price compared to other car classes.
Some of the most recommended SUVs are:
Honda CR-V
This is one of the most patronized SUVs that has user-friendly features suitable for senior drivers. Unlike other SUV models, Honda CR-V is fuel-efficient and it comes at a compact size giving you more opportunity to park your car even in small spaces.
Another good thing about this is its spacious cabin and wide entrance making it convenient for seniors who have bone and joint problems. Its price ranges from $25,000 to $35,000.
Subaru Forester
Another famous SUV model. This is the best choice for seniors looking for an SUV with smooth and simple controls.
Senior drivers will also get satisfied with its eyesight driver assistance suite, electronic parking brakes, emergency steering feature, and high-quality cameras for better visibility. Subaru Forester is also known for its minimal design. Price ranges from $25,500 to $35,500.
Toyota Highlander
This is another convenient SUV that has enough space for a small family. It also has smooth controls that are easy to familiarize. Its best features include lane keep assistance, cruise control, and emergency brakes. It even has an aesthetic design that you’ll surely love. Its price ranges from $34,800 to $49,000.
Sedans
Unlike SUVs, Sedans are a less bulky type of best car for seniors. What’s good about Sedans is that they are more fuel-efficient and easy to maintain than SUVs. This is the best car type if you’re looking for a lighter unit that fits your small parking space. However, since it has lower ground visibility, it might be a challenge for some senior drivers to navigate the road in front of them.
Some of the most recommended Sedans for seniors are:
Subaru Legacy
If you’re looking for a sedan that has modern premium features, the Subaru Legacy is for you. It includes features like all-wheel drive, automatic climate control, and steering responsive LED lights that you’ll only get from Subaru Legacy. It also comes at a nice price of $22,800 to $35,900.
Toyota Camry
This is one of the most patronized sedan models. What makes it very popular is that, aside from its aesthetic design, it has smooth controls, excellent visibility, and enough space to accommodate a small family. It’s even more fuel-efficient than other mid-sized sedans. Toyota Camry can range from $24,500 to $35,300.
Kia Forte
This unit is best for seniors who are looking for a compact sedan. Despite its compact design, Kia Forte surprisingly has a spacious interior and a roomy trunk. It’s also a winner when it comes to safety features.
It includes an emergency brake, line-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, and even a blind spot monitor. This model also comes at a more affordable price than other sedans. It ranges from $18,000 to $26,000.
If you are on a budget, worry not because there are also great car choices for seniors that are more affordable and convenient. To name a few, here are the best car recommendations for seniors on a budget.
Kia Rio
This model is one of the drivers’ best choices of affordable cars with great features. It has just enough space for a compact design sedan. It’s also suitable for seniors who have a small parking space. You can get this at $16,000 to $16,500.
Subaru Crosstrek
This model is suitable for seniors who live in places prone to harsh winters. Unlike other SUVs, Subaru Crosstrek is less bulky and has just enough interior room. It also has good visibility, however, some people say that it can be harder to accelerate, unlike other models. Its price ranges from $22,000 to $35,000.
Nissan Kicks
This is another small-sized SUV that fits your budget. It ranges from $18,800 to $21,000 which includes important features such as auto emergency brake, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Final Thoughts
Age tends to affect our ability to drive, that's why choosing the best cars for seniors can be trickier than you think. If you’re a senior and plan to buy a car, you should consider a few factors first such as safety, accessibility, space, comfort, controls, and budget.
We all want our homes to stay safe, clean, and free from germs and bacteria. However, certain factors limit us from doing so. Factors may include disability, immobility, or lack of energy to clean. All of these point directly to old age.
With the continuous advancement of technology, we have entered a new era where media has become more accessible and tasks have become easier to accomplish. These advancements also made a way to make seniors’ lives easier as more and more senior-friendly gadgets and technologies are being launched.
A trend in the dating world is growing wherein, dating became more accessible and easier for singles around the world through the use of online dating sites. With that said developers of such apps make sure that their platforms are as inclusive as possible, even to older adults.