Edmunds List Ten Most Elder-friendly Vehicles

As we grow old, there are things that our bodies are no longer capable of doing. This is a fact of life that car manufacturers are aware of. This is also the reason why there are vehicles which are more elderly-friendly than others. While there are talks about regulating the driving privilege of the elderly, it is a fact that that there are older persons who are still out there driving their own vehicles. For them, choosing a vehicle is a task. Not only do they have to consider performance, fuel efficiency, safety and the likes but they also have to choose the right vehicle that will suit their needs as older persons.

Some features that our seniors need in their vehicles are integrated into vehicles which allow them to do simple things without the risk of injuring themselves. Edmunds.com, the leading online source of auto information, stated that keyless ignitions are good for older persons since they can “start the car without suffering the pain that twisting a key may bring.”

In order to help senior car buyers in choosing the perfect vehicle for them, ten vehicles are suggested. The first one is the Toyota Avalon, the full-size sedan from the Japanese car manufacturer. The Avalon sports a spacious cabin which allows elder people to move freely instead of being cramped up. A telescoping and tilting steering wheel also allows older persons to comfortably position themselves in relation to the steering wheel. It is complemented by a power driver seat which can also be adjusted to suit the preference of the driver.

For cold winter driving, the Avalon is equipped with heated front and rear seats. A keyless ignition system is also a feature that will suit the needs of arthritis-bothered elders will appreciate. A voice activated navigation system also works well for seniors who need to focus on driving.

Another senior-friendly vehicle is the Ford Five Hundred with its heated driver seat to keep the driver warm even when taking on the task of winter driving. The driver seat is adjustable so senior drivers can find the position they are comfortable in. The Five Hundred also provides ample interior space. The Five Hundred also features power adjustable pedals which make it easier for an older person to control the brakes and the gas pedal.

For parking, the full-size sedan is equipped with rear parking sensors. This allows the driver to park safely without looking constantly behind his or her shoulder which for elder people might pose a risk of injuries. The Five Hundred also posted good scores in crash tests which mean that it can protect older persons who are more prone to injuries in the unfortunate case of a crash or collision.

The popular Toyota Prius is also recommended for older drivers since its touch screen controls reduce the force exerted by the driver to adjust the controls in the vehicle. Arthritis-inflicted seniors will also benefit from the Prius’ button shifter and keyless ignition. A voice activated navigation system is also a good feature for elder persons. The hybrid electric car is also equipped with backup cameras enabling drivers to see what’s behind them without looking behind their shoulders.

The steering wheel can also be adjusted to suit the driving needs of older motorists. The Toyota Sienna also offers the same senior friendly features that the Prius have. In addition, the minivan has heated driver and passenger seats. It also has an adaptive cruise control system as an added safety feature. This technology maintains a preset distance between the Sienna and the vehicle in front of it thus increasing the safety of the driver and occupants of the vehicle.

As we get older, it is natural that our sight becomes impaired. For this reason, the Mercedes-Benz S550 is a senior-friendly vehicle for it comes with night-vision capabilities. This feature allows the driver to see what is in front of the vehicle even in the darkness of the night. It also has heated driver seats and an adjustable steering wheel. It is also equipped with the latest active safety features such as the adaptive cruise control. Since this vehicle is a luxury car, older motorists will enjoy the comfortable seats and other features.

The Honda CR-V is also a good choice for older motorists. While this SUV is less likely to be fitted with Superwinch accessories and taken on off-road outings, older persons will be treated to the same convenience and safety features present in the other senior-friendly vehicles. Another Honda auto model judged as senior-friendly is the Civic and its hybrid version - both of which are equipped with senior-friendly features such as voice-activated navigation system and adjustable seat and steering wheel.

The luxury models Infiniti M35 and the Lexus LS 460 are also good choices for senior drivers. The Infiniti M35 is equipped with a lane departure warning system for drowsy seniors. It also has features like adjustable seats and steering wheel, a keyless ignition, and heated seats. Meanwhile, the LS 460 is equipped with advanced parking guidance system with backup camera. The same features offered by other senior-friendly vehicles like adjustable seats and steering wheel is also present in the LS 460. The best selling Camry and its hybrid version is also recommended for senior car buyers for its features like adjustable seat sand steering wheel, lumbar support, keyless ignition, and the like.