So, what are the best cars for senior citizens in India? Let’s look at the Hyundai Verna and Honda City for the senior citizen car buyer.
In this article, we will share
- What a senior citizen buyer looks for in a car
- Hyundai Verna vs Honda City – a comprehensive look at their variants, features, safety, and fuel efficiency
- How to pick the right car for you
What senior-friendly features do these cars have, and are they comfortable cars for elderly drivers in India? Let’s find out.
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What a Senior Citizen Car Buyer Looks for in a Car
Here’s what a senior citizen buyer should look for in a car:
- Ease of driving – the car should be easy to drive
- Comfort – the car should have good comfort and offer convenience features
- Safety – the car should have essential safety features, and good safety rating
- Fuel efficiency – the car should not guzzle fuel
Senior citizens prioritize safety, ease of driving, and comfort when selecting a car. Key safety features like ABS, crash warning, and airbags are paramount. Furthermore, simple and intuitive controls alongside easy ingress and egress enhance their driving experience.
Automated features like rear parking sensors, automatic transmission, and power steering/windows simplify operations in cars for older people. Fuel efficiency is appreciated for economic long-term use.
Lastly, comfortable seats with good lumbar support alongside a smooth ride quality ensure an agreeable driving environment. These considerations make certain car models and variants more suitable for senior citizens.
Why Hyundai Verna and Honda City are Popular
Hyundai Verna and Honda City have garnered popularity among senior citizens due to their blend of safety, comfort, and driver-assistance features. The ample safety provisions including ABS, airbags, and crash warnings instill confidence among senior drivers. The automatic transmission options simplify driving, reducing stress in traffic conditions.
These models also boast of comfortable, cushioned seating and ergonomic design which ensure a comfortable driving and riding experience. Their compact sedan structure offers easy maneuverability and parking, alongside a respectable ground clearance facilitating easy ingress and egress.
Additionally, features like power steering, power windows, and rear parking sensors add to the convenience, simplifying the driving chore. The fuel efficiency of these models is a boon for economical long-term usage. The intuitive touchscreen interfaces with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay ensure that senior citizens remain connected without facing a steep learning curve.
Furthermore, the reputation of Hyundai and Honda for reliability and low maintenance resonates well with the senior buyers who prefer hassle-free ownership.
Hyundai Verna and Honda City Variants Shortlist in Rs 10-11 Lakh Range
For Hyundai Verna, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 28 September 2023 |
| S | ₹11,96,000 |
For Honda City, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 28 September 2023 |
| SV | ₹11,49,000 |
Hyundai Verna S
The Hyundai Verna S, priced at INR 11,96,000, stands out with a 5-star GNCAP rating indicating superior safety. The inclusion of ABS, crash warning system, and cushioned seats ensures both safety and comfort.
The fuel efficiency of 18.6 kmpl alongside features like power steering/windows, and the ease of driving with a light clutch, makes it a viable option for senior citizens. However, the absence of rear parking camera and automatic transmission could be felt. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the Verna with Skoda Slavia.
Honda City SV
On the other hand, Honda City SV, priced at INR 11,49,000, also encompasses key safety features like ABS and crash warning. The cushioned seats ensure comfort while the availability of power steering and windows adds to the ease of operation.
Though it lacks an automatic transmission option and rear parking camera, its fuel efficiency of 17.8 kmpl and the addition of traction control for enhanced safety on slippery roads makes it a strong contender. If you’re a long-distance road trip lover, you can read our comparison of the City with Hyundai Creta.
Our Pick for the Best Variant Among Hyundai Verna and Honda City for Senior Citizen Car Buyers
Given the emphasis on safety, comfort, and ease of driving for senior citizens, Hyundai Verna S edges out as a slightly better option. Its superior GNCAP rating of 5 stars instills confidence regarding safety.
While both variants provide essential safety and convenience features, the higher fuel efficiency of Verna S at 18.6 kmpl compared to 17.8 kmpl of City SV will be more economical in the long run.
Furthermore, the presence of fog lights and day/night IRVM in Verna S enhances safety and visibility under diverse weather and lighting conditions, which is crucial for senior citizens. The cushioned seats in both models provide comfort, but the added safety and fuel efficiency of Verna S give it a slight advantage over City SV. If you’re a performance enthusiast, you can read our comparison of the Verna with Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus.
The 2 Variants Ranked
- Hyundai Verna S
- Honda City SV
| Attributes | Hyundai Verna S | Honda City SV |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Crash Warning | Yes | Yes |
| GNCAP Rating | 5 | 4 |
| Overall Mileage (kmpl) | 18.6 | 17.8 |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes |
| Power Windows – Front & Back | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Comfort | Cushioned | Cushioned |
| Transmission – Auto Type | None | None |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
Both Hyundai Verna S and Honda City SV cater well to the requirements of senior citizens with necessary safety features, convenience attributes, and cushioned seating for comfort. However, Verna S leads slightly due to better safety rating and fuel efficiency.
These aspects, coupled with additional safety features like fog lights, make Hyundai Verna S slightly more appealing. Nevertheless, both vehicles uphold the essential attributes making them conducive for senior citizen car buyers ensuring a blend of safety, comfort, and economical operation.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
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