Time to face the fact that driving isn’t quite the breeze it used to be. Backs get stiffer, reflexes slow down, and squeezing into a tight parking spot (almost) feels like auditioning for a stunt show.
But fret not, for the latest senior-friendly car features in today’s automobiles are here to save the day – not to mention the unnecessary heartache that comes with a close shave.
We’re talking everything from nifty new features like smart driving systems and emergency sensors to thoughtful design shifts that just make sense for an older driver.
While many of these aren’t designed with silvers in mind, these senior-friendly upgrades nevertheless help to make the daily drive easier, safer and even a bit cooler than you remember.
When you’re next upgrading your car, here are 10 must-have features to make every journey smoother than the last.
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Senior-friendly car features
1. Self-Parking Systems
Everyone loves parking, the universal test of patience and geometry. Enter self-parking systems, like the wizardry found in the Xpeng G6 – see a parking spot on the touchscreen, tell the car you want it there, and it does the rest like a maestro, handling the steering and accelerator and brakes.
Self-parking that still requires you to work the pedals can be just as useful (just not as magical), and then there’s BMW’s Reverse Assistant, which memorises your last 50 metres of driving so you can undo it with a touch of a (virtual) button, reverse out of tight spots like a seasoned valet.
2. 360-Degree Cameras
A 360-degree camera system gives you an all-seeing, bird’s-eye view of your car. It’s like having a drone hovering above, guiding you through narrow spaces and tricky turns. Gone are the days of squinting at mirrors and hoping for the best.
3. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Stop-and-go traffic? No problem. ACC uses radar or a camera to lock onto the vehicle ahead of you, and then adjusts your speed automatically, keeping a safe distance at all times.
Newer systems can even bring a car to a halt altogether, and take off for you automatically when traffic gets going. When it’s rush hour, it’s like having a butler for your right foot.
4. Blind Spot Monitoring
We’ve all been there: you check your mirror, change lanes, and suddenly there’s a car where you swore there wasn’t. Blind spot monitoring eliminates the guesswork, saving you from heart-stopping surprises, not to mention the curses of random road users.
5. A High Hip-point
Forget crouching or climbing, you want getting in and out of your next car to be a cinch. SUVs and crossovers are often at the right height for this, giving you the perfect middle ground between a sedan’s low profile and a 4×4’s lofty seating — manufacturers call this measurement the “hip point”, which sounds like a stylish place to grab a few drinks.
The elevated seating position also provides a better view of the road, which any driver will appreciate for the confidence boost.
6. Powered Tailgate
Struggling with a heavy boot lid is a thing of the past. A powered tailgate opens with a wave of your foot or the press of a button, making you look like a magician at the supermarket.
Some systems, like those from Hyundai and Kia, merely need you to stand near the boot with the key on you, and then electricity does the rest. And pressing a button to close the tailgate beats stretching up and heaving it back down.
7. Head-Up Display (HUD)
Feeling like Maverick from Top Gun might not make you faster, but it certainly makes driving a lot easier, especially when you don’t have to keep glancing at the dashboard.
A HUD system projects key information like speed and navigation directions directly onto your windscreen, so everything you need is always in your line of sight.
This means less distraction and eyestrain, reducing the need to shift focus and helping to keep your attention on the road where it belongs. It’s a confidence-boosting feature that combines safety and convenience, wrapped in a touch of fighter-pilot cool.
8. Heated, Ventilated and Preferably, Massage Seats
The weather here doesn’t take a day off, but your seats have your back. Ventilated seats are a lifesaver on sweltering afternoons, keeping you cool when even your sunglasses are sweating.
And while heated seats might sound superfluous in our climate, they’re actually a boon to muscles. After a spirited round of golf or a long tennis match, they can help soothe tired sinews or even warm you up beforehand – especially if paired with the message seats. They are becoming increasingly common in new cars.
9. Emergency Braking Systems
Let’s admit it: sometimes we’re not as quick on the draw as we used to be. Emergency braking systems step in when you don’t, slamming the brakes if a collision seems likely. It’s like a hyper-alert passenger, minus the nagging.
10. Large Infotainment Screens
Why squint at tiny buttons when you can have a glorious widescreen? Big infotainment systems can seem intimidating and bewildering at first, but once you figure out where everything is, you’ll be tapping away like a pro – just as you are on your phone now.
The best user interface systems are intuitive, stylish, and customisable, and reduce the need for tech-savvy grandchildren to help you adjust the settings.
While on the lookout for the right user interface, make sure your next car comes with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
These connect your phone to the car seamlessly, letting you navigate, call, and DJ your way through traffic without fumbling for cables. Both support voice control, so jabbing a touchscreen half a dozen times to get The Eagles to play is now a thing of the past.
Ultimately, even if driving feels like a challenge sometimes, it doesn’t have to be.
With senior-friendly features like self-parking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, modern cars are designed to do the heavy lifting while you enjoy the ride. So why not make your next car smarter, safer, and at the same time, very much cooler?
