Our guide for the best cars for senior drivers.
The over 65 car buyer market is huge, but are car designers considering our senior drivers?
Well no, I don’t think they really are. When sitting down to look at the cars I’ve driven in the last few years, I couldn’t really find one that might be described as the complete package for older drivers.
Sure, some cars offer easy access, some have simple controls, but, as far as I can see, few cars really tick all the boxes when it comes to making life easier for older road users.
Here’s a selection of models that do offer some aspects that might help:
Mitsubishi Mirage
The budget-price Mitsubishi offers a very basic and simple cabin. The speedometer is sizeable and what controls the Mirage does have are all in the right places. With a relatively high roof-line and adequate legroom, the Mitsubishi offers pretty good cabin access.
Automatic versions of the Mirage start at just $14,490 and you get a full five-star ANCAP safety rating and five-year warranty.
Check out a recent review of the Mitsubishi Mirage here.
Mitsubishi ASX
There is a real advantage to opting for a cross-over model such as the ASX – the seats sit up higher than in an average sedan.
That means getting into and out of the vehicle is going to be easier, you get a generally more upright seating position and visibility can also be better than a sedan.
The ASX features a very simple dashboard and easy to read gauges, everything is well placed and easy to use.
The ASX comes with a choice of diesel or petrol engines and an auto ASX will set you back from $26,990. Once again a full five-star safety rating is also on offer.
Check out a recent review of the Mitsubishi ASX here.
Honda CR-V
It’s not just Mitsubishi that offers models that go close to meeting the needs of senior drivers – Honda is also renowned for sensible and functional cars.
The Civic would be the pick of the Honda sedan range, but a fairly high sill panel can make accessing the cabin a touch difficult. On the plus side though, Honda cars do have doors that open out to nearly 90 degrees and that really does help with access – though when a door opens that far out it can be a challenge getting it closed.
The CR-V though offers easy access thanks to the height of the seats, the dash is relatively simple – points are lost however for the tiny buttons under the centre display screen and visibility is excellent.
In-all though the CR-V is a sensible car that is well-priced – an auto CR-V will cost you from $29,790 and yes, it comes with a five-star ANCAP rating.
Check out a recent review of the Honda CR-V here.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla has long been a popular model among those on the other side of 65. Toyota has however breathed a bit more life and excitement into the world’s favourite small car in recent years.
Thankfully, the Corolla is still a rather simple offering.
With quite basic and well laid-out controls, the new Corolla sedan now also offers a roomier cabin thanks to an extended wheelbase and as you’d expect you get a full safety rating.
A reversing camera is standard and an automatic Toyota Corolla will cost you from just $22,240.
Check out a recent review of the Corolla here.
Kia Cerato
The ever-improving cars coming out of South Korea often have one thing in common – simple, well laid-out cabins and dashboards.
The new Cerato is one of the best examples of this. Really good visibility, easy to drive, it really is a very good package.
As far as being a seniors-friendly car the Kia loses points for a fairly low seating position and only average legroom.
The upper-spec models though get brightly illuminated gauges and a very clear and easy to read driver info screen.
Sedan and hatch variants of the Kia Cerato with an automatic transmission are priced from just $21,990.
Check out a recent review of the Cerato here.
Be the first to comment