Best Cars for Seniors with Arthritis

Arthritis can limit how far one can bend or move their shoulders, hands, head, and neck. It also makes it harder to turn the steering wheel, push the brakes, or look around to check blind spots. Therefore, seniors with arthritis often find themselves struggling to drive their cars.

In this context, the most critical requirements are:

• Outstanding ride quality.
• Ease of handling.
• Extremely user-friendly controls.
• Advanced safety features.

Below is a list of the best cars that fit all these parameters.

Before we move on, we want to remind you that Carplus has the best online car finance calculator. Use it today to get a quote and be one step closer to owning your dream car.

1. Subaru Forester

The Foresters are SUVs with a standard all-wheel-drive system and comfortable cars to drive and get in and out of. As long as seniors with arthritis use the step, the raised-up design is advantageous. The higher positioning offers better visibility and makes a statement on the road.

The boxy design has even received a slight increase in size, which means there is more headroom and legroom than ever before. Under the bonnet, everything feels built to last, so the maintenance is minimal. The handling is reasonably agile and precise for a vehicle of this size.

The Forester is highly regarded for its safety features in terms of preventive safety lane departure warning, automatic braking function and reactive safety (supplemental restraint system airbags, ring-shaped reinforcement frame).

2. Kia Soul

In everyday driving, the Kia is calm and comfortable. Because seniors with arthritis don't usually need high specs, especially engine- and performance-wise, so lowly trims are more than enough. One exciting feature is the upright driving position, which is specifically designed to support the driver's posture.

The Soul has an extremely spacious interior for a hatchback. Technically, it has a semi-SUV body style, which explains the space inside and the over-the-shoulder visibility. The boot is only average in size, so if you often carry mobility assistance or medical equipment, you need to do fitting tests.

The car scores strong points in the safety and practicality categories – a reversing camera, adjustable steering column, stability management, brake-force distribution, etc.

You may also be interested to read - Hatchback vs Saloon

3. Peugeot Rifter

This car is a little slow on the road; more importantly for seniors with arthritis, it's smooth to drive, doesn't tug much, and acts as a masterclass in practical touches.

The Peugeot Rifter is a boxy-shaped car that looks and feels spacious. It offers loads of interior space, both in the front and the back. A tall roofline and power-adjustable front seats allow drivers to get in the most comfortable position, creating a more comprehensive view than most cars on the road. And thanks to wide door openings in the front and sliding doors in the back, getting in/out becomes a piece of cake.

The car brings in a healthy combination of essential and optional safety equipment, more than other vans on the market.

4. Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey comes with a quick-accelerating V-6 engine, which elders with excellent driving experience and a hunger for speed will enjoy. But it has much more perks for seniors with arthritis other than a refined ride. Drivers will be surprised by solid handling that makes them forget they're operating a three-row van.

The van seats up to eight adults and has wide-opening doors for everyone's comfort. If you have bulky cargo and equipment, the flexible configuration of the seats in the back won't stay in your way. The third row folds down completely.

The set of passive and active safety technology has been recently upgraded. But even before, the Odyssey had a 5-star rating for safety.

5. Honda CR-V

The CR-V comes with a full-drive system, allowing for more grip on challenging country roads at the expense of some fuel economy. The steering wheel is adjustable and has a non-slip cover, and the ride comfort won't be disturbed even by sudden jolts.

Honda's equipment has become more sophisticated and exciting over the years. For example, when activated, the automatic braking function brings the car to a complete stop incredibly smoothly. The feature is much-needed, given the car's size. Some trims even get rain-sensing windshield wipers, but it's up to you to decide what's excessive.

A generous suite of safety systems is fitted onto entry-level models, making them some of the safest in the compact SUV class.

You may also be interested to read - Crossover vs SUV

6. Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 is reliable and robust. The size and weight of the car would normally prevent light steering, but the automaker has made many adjustments to make handling responsive and agile. Considering the new car is on the pricey side, it makes sense to go for a used model instead.

The interior of the Volvo is as minimalist as the exterior - there are few buttons cluttering up the space, making controls easier for older people to manage. A higher-spec version offers remote vehicle controls, which are sometimes better for seniors with arthritis (no need to reach across the panel, push or twist anything).

One of the most exciting safety features is blind spot monitoring.

7. Ford Kuga

Ford Kuga is a good all-rounder with a wide range of engines for all driving styles. Fortunately for seniors with arthritis, the suspension and handling stay composed in most situations and at any speed.

The room up front is adequate, and sliding benches allow passengers to adjust the boot space or rear leg room as needed. The car is not too high, so the step inside/outside should be a relatively small obstacle.

Safety-wise, the brakes are strong, and the visibility is decent. But Ford, being a leader in safety and practicality, made sure to implement automated features to prevent human error. For instance, Kugas come with electronic parking brakes, lane-keeping aid, intelligent speed assistance, and forward collision warnings, just to name a few features.

8. Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke was a trailblazer at the time of its initial release, and it remains a drivers' favourite. Juke's body control is exceptional, the chassis can soak up most imperfections on the road, and it positions the driver up high.

The size of the Juke is hard to identify correctly - on the one hand, and it's based on a small car platform; on the other hand, it's a respectable, funky-looking SUV. Together, these two facts create an optimal-sized car for senior drivers, small enough for easy driving and big enough for extra room and safety.

A few interesting features worth noting are a surround-view camera, speed limiter, driver alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot intervention.

9. Citroen Berlingo

You might be sensing a theme here - vans are perfect for seniors with arthritis. At least, vans like the Citroen Berlingo are cost-conscious, flexible in driving, and surprisingly surefooted. As you might expect, it's not particularly sporty or frisky.

The interior reflects the bulky size. Once you go through the huge sliding doors, you'll have a spacious cabin in every interior dimension and plenty of storage space. You can use a clever roof storage system if you're driving with passengers. The third row in an XL version is less accessible, so let the younger generation sit there.

All Berlingo's include safety precautions to protect drivers, other cars, and vulnerable road users.

10. Dacia Sandero Stepway

The core appeal of the Dacia Sandero Stepway is value for money. Seniors with arthritis don't have to break the bank even for the new model. That said, it feels like something other than a budget car. It's the opposite - the Sandero offers perfectly acceptable performance for its class, feels well-built, and looks great.

Inside, it's a reasonably spacious car. The rear space could be roomier, but considerable breadth and loads of headroom make up for other inconveniences. As for the driver's seat and steering wheel are easy to adjust, so a comfortable ride is guaranteed.

If you want to keep the price low, you'll have to accept minimal tech and only use the basic features.

11. Volkswagen Up

Compared to other cars on the list, the Volkswagen Up is relatively small. But this compact hatchback is perfect for seniors with arthritis who prioritise manoeuvrability and easy access. Because of the size, drivers won't need to worry about fitting into corners or hitting the curb. The engine is sufficiently fast but slightly noisy.

The Up rides better than many rivals in its class, not being particularly bothered by speed bumps and potholes. Seniors will also appreciate the preciseness in the steering, which means they won't have to turn the wheel to make a move aggressively.

As for safety, the Up comes with mandatory equipment like a seatbelt buzzer, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and more. Cruise control is also a nice touch.

12. Renault Zoe

Finally, we want to cover the Renault Zoe. As you can guess, it doesn't have an exceptionally spacious interior. So, plan your cargo to match the capabilities of a supermini. Although, the front seats should be comfortable even for tall adults.

The model comes with an electric motor, with no petrol or diesel engine available. Elders may think owning an electric car is more complicated, but in reality, day-to-day driving, charging, and maintenance are hardly as complex as conventional vehicles. Remember that the Zoe is meant for town driving or short trips, nothing more.

Nice-to-have features include:

• Hands-free parking.
• Heated driver seats.
• Emergency services call system.
• Pedestrian warning.
• Tailgate monitoring.
• Dual-zone climate control.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we've been able to help you with your car shopping. Even if this list of cars for seniors wasn't your cup of tea, you probably understand the difference between the right and wrong car for an older driver.

Before looking for cars for seniors with arthritis, compile a checklist of priorities. This condition affects people differently, and other factors may determine their car-related needs and preferences.

Once you decide, head over to Carplus, we'll get you connected to the best dealerships in the country and put you behind the wheel as quickly as possible.