The 11 Best Cars for Older Drivers
October is The Best Time to Find Deals on 2022 Model Year Cars
Buying a new vehicle is a big decision where fuel economy, reliability, and price are often key considerations. For older drivers, it’s also important to anticipate changes to their physical and cognitive health that can affect their ability to drive safely. When comparing the functionality and features of a new car, here are some things that seniors should also evaluate in their next purchase:
Ease of entry and exit (with large door openings, easy-to-access seating, and well-placed grab handles).
Clear visibility for all drivers.
Trunk or hatch accessible storage (preferably with a low hangover) to make loading a wheelchair or walker easy.
Dashboard and accessory controls that are easy to see and use (with large text, high-contrast colors, adjustable brightness, etc.).
As technology becomes more pervasive in new cars, look for these key safety features that can make driving safer and easier:
Proximity sensors (checks rear cross-traffic when backing up, blind-spot warnings, and lane departure warnings when crossing lane markers without signaling).
Back-up cameras to see what's behind and around them.
Pre-collision braking (senses an impending collision and begins braking automatically).
Automatic headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Because technology can also be confusing and complicated to use while driving, it's important to either limit these features or have an auto dealer explain how they work so that all drivers are familiar and comfortable with their use.
Mechanical gauges are now digital screens and include unique warning symbols.
Buttons/dials for climate, entertainment, and navigation are being consolidated into a central touchscreen.
There’s no longer a physical hand brake, but an electronic switch to set the parking brake.
Navigation systems with a heads-up display can provide directions on the windshield in front of the driver.
To avoid becoming overwhelmed with choices, US News has taken many of these features into consideration and offers their recommendations for senior-friendly cars in the linked article below. Although these are for 2022 model year cars, it's also October and is the best time to find a deal before the 2023 model year cars begin to appear. Cars are an important part of an older adult's independence, so spending a little extra time to find the right vehicle will better suit their needs now and into the future.
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-older-drivers
Tags: #carsforseniors, #cars, #cartechnology, #USNEWS, #independence