Most comfortable cars for elderly and infirm
To the young and healthy, getting in and out of a car takes only a matter of seconds.
However, older passengers and drivers are more likely to find that it can become a struggle to comfortably take their seat or make their way back onto the pavement.
Make sure that you’re able to choose a car that suitable for older drivers and more appropriate for infirm passengers by having a look at the most comfortable options available.
Best cars for comfort
Drivers who have noticed that they’re finding it increasingly difficult to sit comfortably in their car may be ready to switch to a slightly more forgiving model. Our guide to age appropriate cars could have some handy hints. But don’t forget, you’re only as old as you feel! There’s also some good advice from Aol Autos, which has a useful article detailing the smartest cars for seniors. However, if you’re looking for a car that’s perfect for a passenger who needs a more comfortable ride, rest assured there’s plenty of help out there.
For some advice on the kind of features you might want to prioritise, have a read of this interesting article about cars for caregivers from AARP. It covers all kinds of things you may not have thought of and highlights the benefits of minivans and crossovers when it comes to picking accessible vehicles. There’s also an excellent discussion about cars perfect for driving elderly relatives around in to be found in the Independent. James Ruppert suggests some great models for transporting elderly passengers in comfort and style.
Finding cars that are wheelchair accessible
Finding a car that will easily accommodate a wheelchair user can present a challenge, but there are a number of available resources that can help. Rica, a consumer research group for older and disabled people, has some excellent articles and information. Get started with a look at its mobility guides, which can help with everything from cars to buses, and be sure to take advantage of its excellent car search function. All you need to do is answer a few questions about the kind of amenities you need and it will return a list of suitable makes and models. What’s more, you can quickly find out more about any car with its quick factsheet function.
Elaine Benton has written an illuminating article for The Huffington Post about her experiences in buying a wheelchair friendly car, highlighting the fact that you often have to ask salespeople whether certain models are suitable because there’s no information readily available on the glossy brochures. If you already have a car that you’re thinking about converting, a site like Motability is a good place to visit. There, you can find out more about the process of converting a vehicle and which cars and vans are suitable for the change. If you ever have concerns about whether the car you’re thinking of will be suitable or not, don’t be shy about asking for further details – or a test drive – that’s what dealers are there for.


Latest posts by Sally - Silversurfer's Editor (see all)
- Think smaller! A guide to downsizing - March 3, 2021
- Win a pair of Cosyfeet footwear of your choice - March 3, 2021
- Win a Unisex Integrated Electric Mountain Bike worth £999! - March 1, 2021
- Win one of two Sonorlite Hearing Bands - March 1, 2021
- Welcome to the world of Charitable Travel - March 1, 2021
Leave a Comment!
Log in to comment
You need to be logged in to interact with Silversurfers. Please use the button below if you already have an account.
LoginNot a member?
You need to be a member to interact with Silversurfers. Joining is free and simple to do. Click the button below to join today!
JoinCommunity Terms & Conditions
Content standards
These content standards apply to any and all material which you contribute to our site (contributions), and to any interactive services associated with it.
You must comply with the spirit of the following standards as well as the letter. The standards apply to each part of any contribution as well as to its whole.
Contributions must:
be accurate (where they state facts); be genuinely held (where they state opinions); and comply with applicable law in the UK and in any country from which they are posted.
Contributions must not:
contain any material which is defamatory of any person; or contain any material which is obscene, offensive, hateful or inflammatory; or promote sexually explicit material; or promote violence; promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or infringe any copyright, database right or trade mark of any other person; or be likely to deceive any person; or be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence; or promote any illegal activity; or be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety; or be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person; or be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person; or give the impression that they emanate from us, if this is not the case; or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act such as (by way of example only) copyright infringement or computer misuse.
Nurturing a safe environment
Our Silversurfers community is designed to foster friendships, based on trust, honesty, integrity and loyalty and is underpinned by these values.
We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
I have had so many injuries as a result of the above, I am now reluctant to ride in our family car.
For instance. when exiting from auto. I need to get my left foot back as far as it can go so I can turn in the seat to position myself to exit the car. I have had to date two serious groin injuries which left me crying in pain.
I suppose now that I am no longer as agile as I once was I can expect this but, I wish somebody told me in advance.
Signed 68 going on 32 Collie
I currently have a Fiat Doblo 1.9jtd. It's really brilliant, bags of room front and back, great headroom, good legroom (although my seat is not quite fully back) in both front and rear. The only downside is the high road tax
I sought out a 2nd hand model, had a sit in front and back as well as having a test drive. despite a bad reputation, the engine can be found in a good many vehicles - so it can't be that bad & the bodywork, despite being 12 years old, isn't showing signs of rust. In terms of repairs, I've had a new battery, new tyres,, new clutch and 2 new brake disks as well as pads - all the usual stuff you expect to need replacing.