Best vehicles for senior citizens in India: Cars for elderly

Published on 20 Sept, 2021, 6:58 AM IST

Updated on 1 Jul, 2024, 12:16 PM IST

Team Ackodrive

13 min read

Interesting Articles

When it comes to buying a vehicle, the preferences are usually different for each individual. While some buyers want speed and style, others emphasise comfort, driving experience, affordability and fuel efficiency.

Similarly, the vehicle preferences change between young and elderly car buyers. Senior citizens usually like cars with easy controls, excellent safety, easy ingress/egress, comfortable seating, etc.

To ease the process of selecting a car for elderly buyers, here is a guide to the best vehicles for senior citizens.

Contents

Best senior citizen vehicles in India

While so many cars are available in the market for the elderly, a comparative selection is important. By shortlisting the best options, you can find the best-suited vehicle that aligns with your needs.

To identify excellent vehicles for senior citizens, you must begin your research with the type of vehicle you need. There are good options available in the hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs segments for the elderly. Along with the body type, you should also consider the fuel type, transmission, safety features and comfort.

Keeping all the essential factors in mind, below are the best cars for senior citizens.

10 best vehicles for senior citizens

These are the top senior citizen vehicles available in India.

1. Maruti Wagon R

Price: Rs. 4.93 lakhs - Rs. 6.45 lakhs

Maruti Wagon R has been in the Indian market for more than two decades. This hatchback is considered a suitable choice for senior citizens due to the tallboy design. Elderly passengers can pretty much walk into the cabin, as the doors open wide at almost ninety degrees.

The driving experience is top-notch with 1-litre or 1.2-litre petrol engines mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT (Automatic Manual Transmission) gearbox.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1-litre/1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	20.52 kmpl
Comfort	Power steering, Multi-function steering wheel, etc.
Safety	Driver airbag, passenger airbag, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), rear parking sensors, etc.
Boot space	341 litres

2. Tata Tiago

Price: Rs. 4.99 lakhs - Rs. 7.04 lakhs

Tata Tiago is a car that doesn’t just look good but offers excellent safety features as well. This hatchback holds a 4-star safety rating in the Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) crash tests. The stylish hatchback body conceals a 1.2-litre petrol engine, which you can have with a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	23.84 kmpl
Comfort	Adjustable steering, power steering, adjustable headrest, voice control, gear shift indicator, driver footrest, etc.
Safety	Power door locks, driver airbag, passenger airbag, seatbelt warning, front and side-impact beams, corner stability control, etc.
Boot space	242 litres

3. Maruti Ignis

Price: Rs. 5.10 lakhs - Rs. 7.47 lakhs

Maruti Ignis offers an excellent 180 mm of ground clearance to tackle rough roads conveniently. It offers a spacious cabin for 4 passengers with plenty of legroom and headroom. The vehicle comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, having a 5-speed manual transmission or AMT gearbox options.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	20.89 kmpl
Comfort	Automatic climate control, adjustable steering, adjustable headrest, navigation system, etc.
Safety	Seatbelt warning, crash sensor, key left alert, rear parking camera, speed warning, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	260 litres

4. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

Price: Rs. 5.28 lakhs - Rs. 8.50 lakhs

The Grand i10 Nios is a well-equipped hatchback from Hyundai. It offers fog lamps and projector headlamps to make driving easy in low-light conditions. The generous headroom and knee room ensures a comfortable riding experience. Both 1.2-litre petrol and 1.2-litre diesel engine choices are available with a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/Automatic
Fuel type	Petrol/diesel
Fuel economy	Petrol - 21 kmpl, Diesel - 26.2 kmpl
Comfort	Keyless entry, navigation system, multi-information display, power steering, etc.
Safety	Headlamp escort system, emergency stop signal, rear parking camera, speed alert, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	260 litres

5. Tata Tigor

Price: Rs. 5.64 lakhs - Rs. 7.81 lakhs

Tata Tigor is one of the most stylish sub-four metre sedans available under Rs. 6 lakhs. The vehicle obtains its power from a 1.2-litre petrol engine, mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. Moreover, it has a 4-star safety rating from G-NCAP.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	20.3 kmpl
Comfort	Voice control, power boot, automatic climate control, adjustable headrest, keyless entry, etc.
Safety	Corner stability control, rear parking camera, anti-theft system, crash sensor, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	419 litres

6. Tata Altroz

Price: Rs. 5.84 lakhs - Rs. 9.59 lakhs

Tata Altroz is a hatchback with a 5-star safety rating from G-NCAP, making it one of the safest senior citizen vehicles in the market. The vehicle is known for its ease of driving with features like cruise control and a built-in navigation system.

You can have the Altroz with 1.2-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre/1.5-litre
Transmission	Manual
Fuel type	Petrol/diesel
Fuel economy	Petrol - 19.05 kmpl, Diesel - 25.11 kmpl
Comfort	Voice control, automatic climate control, cruise control, navigation system, real-time vehicle tracking, keyless entry, etc.
Safety	Central locking, crash sensor, corner stability control, remote vehicle feature control, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	345 litres

7. Maruti Swift

Price: Rs. 5.85 lakhs - Rs. 8.67 lakhs

The latest Maruti Swift comes with a new engine and added features like cruise control, making it easy to drive. The new sporty design conceals a 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT transmission.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	23.76 kmpl
Comfort	Cruise control, navigation system, start/stop engine button, voice control, etc.
Safety	Seatbelt reminder, speed alert, speed-sensing automatic door lock, hill assist, rear parking camera, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	268 litres

8. Maruti Baleno

Price: Rs. 5.99 lakhs - Rs. 9.45 lakhs

The Baleno is a hatchback you can trust for its driving convenience, safety, and efficiency. The top-spec variants (Alpha, Delta, and Zeta) come with automatic climate control and LED projector headlamps.

You can have the Baleno with a 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) option.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	19.56 kmpl
Comfort	Automatic climate control, LED headlamps, navigation system, Adjustable steering, etc.
Safety	Automatic headlamps, rear parking camera, speed alert, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	339 litres

9. Maruti Dzire

Price: Rs. 5.99 lakhs - Rs. 9.08 lakhs

If you happen to like sedans but are looking for a cost-effective option, the Dzire would be a good choice. Apart from its excellent build quality and stylish exterior, the Dzire offers better fuel efficiency than many cars in the segment. It comes with a 1.2-litre petrol engine available with a 5-speed manual and AMT gearbox options.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	24.12 kmpl
Comfort	Cruise control, keyless entry, voice control, power steering, automatic climate control, etc.
Safety	Speed alert, key-left alert, hill assist, seatbelt reminder, electronic stability control, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	378 litres

10. Honda Amaze

Price: Rs. 6.32 lakhs - Rs. 11.14 lakhs

Honda Amaze is another compact sedan you can buy for its excellent automatic transmission. There are two engine options available for the Amaze: a 1.2-litre petrol unit and a 1.5-litre diesel unit. The engines are available with 5-speed manual and CVT gearbox choices.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre/1.5-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol/diesel
Fuel economy	Petrol - 18.6 kmpl, Diesel - 24.7 kmpl
Comfort	Seat lumbar support, driver-side power door, dust and pollen filters, voice control, start/stop engine button, keyless entry, adjustable headrest, remote trunk opener, etc.
Safety	Front and side-impact beams, crash sensors, automatic headlamps, speed alert, impact-sensor for automatic door unlocking, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	420 litres

Best electric vehicles for senior citizens

If you are looking for an electric vehicle for senior citizens, here are some of the best options to pick from.

Mahindra E Verito

Price: Rs. 10.15 lakhs - Rs. 10.49 lakhs

Mahindra E Verito is a sedan with a spacious cabin for passengers. While the purchase price is a bit higher than conventional fuel sedans, you save a lot when it comes to maintenance and running costs.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Charging time	Regular charge: 100% in 11 hours 30 minutes; Fast charge: 80% in 1 hour 30 minutes
Driving range	110 km per full charge
Top speed	86 kmph
Battery capacity	21.2 kWh
Comfort	Remote light and horn control, Electro-hydraulic power assist, etc.
Safety	Front and side-impact beams, driver airbag, regenerative braking, remote lock, remote diagnostics, etc.
Boot space	510 litres

Tata Tigor EV

Price: Rs. 11.99 lakhs - Rs. 13.14 lakhs

The Tata Tigor EV is a practical and affordable vehicle for senior citizens. The car moves smoothly over uneven surfaces and runs for a good 306 km on a single charge. The ride quality and range make the Tigor EV one of the best cars for elderly buyers.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Charging time	Regular charge: 100% in 9 hours 45 minutes; Fast charge: 80% in 65 minutes
Driving range	306 km per full charge
Top speed	120 kmph
Battery capacity	306 km per full charge
Comfort	120 kmph
Safety	26 kWh
Boot space	Spacious cabin, automatic climate control, seat lumbar support, voice control, keyless entry, etc.

Tata Nexon EV

Price: Rs. 13.99 lakhs - Rs. 16.85 lakhs

The Nexon EV is an electric SUV made for a smooth and silent driving experience. The car offers a spacious cabin for 5 passengers, with excellent features such as push-button start, automatic air-conditioning, and remote control for door locks, vehicle tracking, engine immobilising, and air-conditioning.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Charging time	Regular charge: 100% in 8 hours; Fast charge: 80% in 60 minutes
Driving range	312 km per full charge
Top speed	120 kmph
Battery capacity	30.2 kWh
Comfort	Automatic wipers, remote vehicle feature control, air quality control, seat lumbar support, navigation system, etc.
Safety	Crash sensors, reverse parking camera, automatic headlamps, vehicle stability control, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	350 litres

Top SUV for elderly

In case you are looking for the best SUV for senior citizens, the below options can help you make your choice.

Kia Sonet

Price: Rs. 6.89 lakhs - Rs. 13.55 lakhs

The Kia Sonet offers a strong presence and easy ingress and egress due to its tall stance. It offers 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) and 7-speed Dual-clutch Transmission (DCT) options with a 1-litre petrol engine. You can also opt for a 6-speed automatic torque converter transmission with its 1.5-litre diesel engine.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1-litre/1.2-litre/1.5-litre
Transmission	Manual//iMT/DCT/torque converter
Fuel type	Petrol/diesel
Fuel economy	Petrol: 18.2-18.4 kmpl; Diesel: 19-24.1 kmpl
Comfort	Ventilated seats, remote engine control, air quality control, cruise control, seat lumbar support, voice control, etc.
Safety	Six airbags, traction control, engine immobiliser, vehicle stability control, electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	392 litres

Hyundai Venue

Price: Rs. 6.99 lakhs - Rs. 11.85 lakhs

Hyundai Venue is a great subcompact SUV for senior citizens having various driver assistance features. It is one of the few affordable SUVs with features like vehicle stability control and electronic stability control.

There are two petrol engines and one diesel engine option available with manual and automatic transmission. You can choose its 1-litre petrol engine for a 7-speed DCT gearbox.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1-litre/1.2-litre/1.5-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol/diesel
Fuel economy	Petrol: 17.52 kmpl; Diesel: 23.4 kmpl
Comfort	Air purifier, cruise control, LED DRLs, navigation system, voice control, alternator management system, etc.
Safety	Tyre pressure monitoring system, crash sensor, dual airbags, front and side-impact beams, ESC, rear parking camera, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	Air purifier, cruise control, LED DRLs, navigation system, voice control, alternator management system, etc.

Maruti Vitara Brezza

Price: Rs. 7.61 lakhs - Rs. 11.19 lakhs

Maruti has made sure that driving the Vitara Brezza feels fun and relaxing with smooth engine performance. The spacious cabin adds to the comfort of riding for the passengers. This compact SUV obtains its power from a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or AMT gearbox.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.5-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Fuel economy	18.76 kmpl
Comfort	Cruise control, automatic headlamps, voice control, air purifier, keyless entry, navigation system, rear reading lamp, etc.
Safety	Pedal release system, dual horn, Suzuki TECT body, rear parking sensor, speed alert, hill assist, dual airbags, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	Cruise control, automatic headlamps, voice control, air purifier, keyless entry, navigation system, rear reading lamp, etc.

Mahindra XUV300

Price: Rs. 7.95 lakhs - Rs. 13.33 lakhs

The Mahindra XUV300 is one of the most sturdy SUVs you can find in the market. On the performance front, it offers an AMT gearbox with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engine options. Moreover, you get 180 mm of ground clearance to conveniently drive on uneven roads. This SUV also holds a 5-star rating from NCAP on the safety front.

Specifications

Parameters	Details
Engine displacement	1.2-litre/1.5-litre
Transmission	Manual/automatic
Fuel type	Petrol/diesel
Fuel economy	Petrol: 18.76 kmpl; Diesel: 20 kmpl
Comfort	Cruise control, real-time vehicle tracking, keyless entry, foldable rear seats, voice control, supervision cluster, instrument cluster, etc.
Safety	7 airbags, crash sensor, electronic stability control, corner braking control, tyre-position display, ABS, EBD, etc.
Boot space	259 litres

Note: All the mentioned prices are ex-showroom, Delhi, and the fuel economies are as per the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

How to choose a car if you’re an aged driver?

The following tips will help you choose the best-suited senior citizen car.

Check the accessibility of the vehicle to avoid difficulty while stepping in and out of the car.
Ensure that you have great visibility at every angle from the driver’s seat.
The controls on the dashboard should not be confusing to understand. Voice control can be extremely helpful for elders who have dexterity problems.
Comfort and safety features like cruise control, seatbelt alert, crash sensors, reverse parking sensors and a navigation system can ease the driving experience.
Make sure there is plenty of boot space to carry items such as walkers, wheelchairs, etc.

Driving tips for elderly car owners

Shortlisting the best vehicles for senior citizens is not enough; you have to keep your health in check to drive conveniently. Here are a few tips that might help.

Keep your body active to maintain physical flexibility and strength.
Make sure your vision and hearing are in perfect condition before you drive.
If you take any medication, check the side effects or consult your doctor before driving a car.
Consider road conditions, weather, and time of the day before you get behind the wheels.
Avoid driving under the influence of any kind of intoxicating substance.
Take driving lessons to refresh your memory and skills.

Also, read: How to drive a car?

Frequently asked questions

Let’s take a look at the commonly asked questions about the best car for old people.

Being a senior citizen, should I buy an automatic car even if I have never driven one before?

Driving a car with automatic transmission is easier than driving a manual vehicle. An automatic vehicle does not require you to change gears manually by operating the clutch pedal. This is why automatic cars are popular choices as vehicles for senior citizens. However, if you have never driven an automatic car before, consider taking driver’s training before you start driving.

What are the safest vehicles in the market for senior citizens?

As per the NCAP safety ratings, some of the safest cars in India are Tata Tiago, Tata Tigor, Tata Altroz, and Mahindra XUV300.

Can I buy a senior citizen car online?

Yes, you can. ACKO Drive is a digital platform where you can easily compare and purchase vehicles. In fact, there is a dedicated team to help you throughout the car buying process. Visit the ACKO Drive website (https://ackodrive.com/) to buy a car of your choice.

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