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Can you recommend a small automatic car for an older driver?
Due to limited shoulder mobility my mother (in her late 70s) needs to replace her beloved 2008 Fiat Panda manual with an automatic car. She's never bought or chosen a car as her late husband always did this. And she hasn't driven any other car for over 10 years so any change will be a challenge.
Her replacement car needs to be as small as possible (she's very used to being able to manoeuvre the Panda in small spaces) but five-door, with a high driving position and easy (not low) to get in and out of. Plus, reliable, simple and comfortable to drive - and, of course, economical.
Ideally, as many safety tools and toys as possible e.g. cameras/sensors etc. Although she doesn't have or use sat-nav at the moment she can see its benefits and could be persuaded/taught to use it, if it was built in and very easy to use.
Most of her driving is now short daily journeys on country lanes but this car needs to be economical and safe on faster roads too. (Ultimately, once she stops driving this may become the 'learner' car for her grandchildren.)
Should she stay with petrol? Or consider a hybrid/electric? Or is that too unreliable living in a rural area with cold mornings for most of the year?
Do you have any advice or suggestions on what make/models to look for or avoid?
Her replacement car needs to be as small as possible (she's very used to being able to manoeuvre the Panda in small spaces) but five-door, with a high driving position and easy (not low) to get in and out of. Plus, reliable, simple and comfortable to drive - and, of course, economical.
Ideally, as many safety tools and toys as possible e.g. cameras/sensors etc. Although she doesn't have or use sat-nav at the moment she can see its benefits and could be persuaded/taught to use it, if it was built in and very easy to use.
Most of her driving is now short daily journeys on country lanes but this car needs to be economical and safe on faster roads too. (Ultimately, once she stops driving this may become the 'learner' car for her grandchildren.)
Should she stay with petrol? Or consider a hybrid/electric? Or is that too unreliable living in a rural area with cold mornings for most of the year?
Do you have any advice or suggestions on what make/models to look for or avoid?
Asked on 20 May 2022 by Michelle Grabham
Answered by
Dan Powell
If you are buying used, the Suzuki Ignis auto. It is 3.7 metres long and just 1.7 metres wide, so it'll feel quite similar to your mother's Panda. What's more, with the Ignis sitting higher from the road than a normal hatchback, it's easy to get in and out of. A mid-spec SZ-T comes with touchscreen navigation and a rear parking camera.
The Hyundai i10 is another impressive small car that's offered with an automatic gearbox. It's a comfortable small car that's well-equipped as standard and backed by a five-year warranty from Hyundai.
The Hyundai i10 is another impressive small car that's offered with an automatic gearbox. It's a comfortable small car that's well-equipped as standard and backed by a five-year warranty from Hyundai.
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