Independent Living

6/15/2015 | By Seniors Guide Staff

When shopping for cars, senior citizens should look for features that are friendly to an aging body and eyes. Many older people have limitations that affect their flexibility, but not their ability to drive. With this in mind, senior-friendly cars are easy to get in and out of, have extra safety features and controls with large, easy-to-read letters and numbers.

With this in mind, consider the following four cars:

1. Hyundai Sonata

Auto Guide lists the Hyundai Sonata as one of the Top 10 cars for older drivers. The base price for the vehicle is around $22,000, which makes it a budget-friendly option for many seniors. Its simple controls are easy to understand and use, and it is comfortable to drive. Its safety features earned it a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Older folks will also appreciate the Sonata’s gas mileage; it averages around 25 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway.

2. Chevrolet Impala

Older drivers tend to prefer larger vehicles — maybe because it brings back fond memories of the huge metal boats that were common in the 1950s and ’60s. This is why the Chevrolet Impala is a great choice. The large sedan features a huge interior cabin that is easy to get into and comfortable for both the driver and passengers. The 18.8 cubic foot trunk is also plenty big, which is nice for seniors who may need to store a walker or other mobility device. It also includes 10 air bags, the OnStar navigation system and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that is easy for older hands to maneuver. The Impala starts around $29,000.

3. Chrysler 300

The Chrysler 300 is another large vehicle that has plenty of features that appeal to many seniors. Starting at around $27,000, the car’s Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system is exceptionally easy to understand and use because it has large fonts and simple commands. In addition to offering great visibility, the Chrysler 300 comes with a variety of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring and a forward-collision alert system.

4. Subaru Forester

Senior citizens who want a safe and reliable vehicle that doesn’t look like a typical “Granny mobile” will love the Subaru Forester. The crossover vehicle starts at an affordable $24,000 and comes with all-wheel drive, which is a comforting feature when driving in bad weather. The Forester’s elevated seats make getting in and out a breeze, and it boasts great outward visibility and safety features. The car’s controls are user-friendly and easy to read, and the roomy exterior cargo space holds just about anything seniors need to take with them.

Seniors who are interested in shopping for any of these models should check out the selection at DriveTime. They can visit the website from the comfort of home and enter in the makes and models and their location to see a list of available vehicles and their prices. Doing a little research ahead of time can make the buying process a little less intimidating.

Seniors Guide Staff

Seniors Guide has been addressing traditional topics and upcoming trends in the senior living industry since 1999. We strive to educate seniors and their loved ones in an approachable manner, and aim to provide them with the right information to make the best decisions possible.

Seniors Guide Staff