Just like other motorists, choosing a car is a very personal preference. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the individual wants, needs and lifestyle of those who will be using the car. So, what are the best vehicles for elderly passengers? Read on as we take a closer look at some of the top models for seniors.

Whether you’re an active and independent senior shopping for a new set of wheels, or a younger driver looking for a car that meets the needs of an ageing relative, we have options!

1.   Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz is a firm favourite with elderly passengers and drivers. That’s for a good reason! It’s small, compact and great for zipping around the city. The nifty little engine offers plenty of power without feeling too overwhelming. All four doors swing open nice and wide, making it easy to manoeuvre in and out of the car. The seats are also a good height – a big bonus for people with mobility issues.

Seniors love the low boot lip, which makes loading cargo like groceries and luggage a cinch. No need to throw out your back when packing for a weekend away! If needed, the back seats can be folded down to make room for larger items like wheelchairs.

2.   Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is a best-selling model in the UK and it’s easy to see why. It’s packed with features to make driving easier, included a heated windscreen to melt off ice on cold days. Let’s be real, scraping ice off the windscreen is the last thing anyone wants to do, especially seniors. For elderly passengers that consider themselves young at heart, models like the rugged Fiesta Active and sporty Fiesta ST-Line appeal.

The newly launched interactive digital instrument cluster makes it easy to customise your driving experience, while technology like lane assist heightens safety credentials. The fuel economy is excellent, another plus for the Ford Fiesta. CO2 emissions are also low compared to other models, making the Ford Fiesta a great pick for eco-conscious seniors.

3.   Volvo D60

Volvo has always been popular with older motorists. It wins the demographic over with best-in-class safety features, superlative comfort and loads of space. Not to mention reliability. This makes it one of the best vehicles for elderly passengers! The latest V60 model lives up to the brand’s reputation. The seats are supportive, comfortable and adjustable. Like other Volvos, the D60 boasts an enormous boot with a flat floor. This makes it easy to slide cargo in and out, without too much fuss. The back seats offer plenty of room to pile in the grandkids, furry friends or large objects like wheelchairs and walkers. 

4.   Nissan Leaf

Looking to go electric? EVs are a fantastic option for seniors who use their cars to run errands and make short trips. That said, the latest Nissan Leaf offers mileage of almost 240 miles, making it more than capable of longer trips. Whether you’re whisking the grandkids away to the seaside or heading up to Edinburgh to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary, the Nissan Leaf is a great fit for older drivers.

It’s cheap to run and is packed with clever tech features like ProPILOT Assist designed to streamline the driving experience. The electric motor is amazingly quiet – an added bonus for drivers that are a little hard on hearing. Despite its compact size, the Nissan Leaf boot is surprisingly spacious. If you’ve got items like wheelchairs to consider, boot size is important when shopping for the best vehicles for elderly passengers.

5.   Volkswagen Golf SV

The extra width, length and height makes the Volkswagen Golf SV a senior-friendly alternative to the classic hatchback model. The front seats are almost 60mm higher than the hatchback, which means elderly motorists and passengers can avoid the dreaded stoop. There’s plenty of leg room in the front and back seats, which makes the Golf SV great for passengers with knee issues. Slide back the rear seats to unlock a huge 590 litres of boot space. This is almost on par with the popular Golf Estate.

6.   Hyundai Kona

Practicality is front and centre in the Hyundai Kona. The cabin is comfortable and well laid out, unlike some new models that can feel a bit like spaceships! Even better, the raised driver’s seat boosts visibility and offers a great view of the road and surrounding traffic. Features like a reversing camera and rear parking sensors appeal to all drivers, not just seniors.

Now let’s talk about colours. With paint shades like Tangerine Comet, Pulse Red, Surfy Blue and Acid Yellow to choose from, there’s no risk of forgetting where you’ve parked. Simply scan the carpark and look for the colour pop. Of course, if you’re after a more understated shade, Hyundai has options. Buying a new car is always a treat, but you’ll find plenty of Konas on the second-hand market if you’re on a budget. 

7.   Mercedes B-Class

Like other models featured on this list, the Mercedes B-Class boasts excellent visibility. This makes it easy to keep tabs on your surroundings while in the driver’s seat. It’s loaded with intelligent driver-assistance systems, as well as senior-friendly features like keyless entry for the doors and boot. Mercedes describes the dash as “futuristic, yet familiar”, so the learning curve is pretty minimal. This can be very helpful, as Teslas, for example, can feel a little overwhelming to drive at first.

Financing a car for elderly passengers

Thinking of upgrading to one of the best vehicles for elderly passengers? With car finance, you can stretch your budget further and rule out a compromise. So, how hard is it to get car finance? With support and expertise from My Car Credit, car finance is easy. To learn more about our services, give our friendly team a call on 01246 458 810.