The Best Cars for Drivers With Arthritis

Car manufacturers are fully aware of the targeted customers for their products. One such group is the older generation, and it is a group worthy of focus. In the older age group, car accessibility and comfort are two of the most important factors for drivers. This is particularly true for anyone suffering from arthritis, which can make driving a challenging task.

Fortunately, there are some excellent cars on sale right now to help. We are going to have a look at cars that fit the needs of someone around retirement age, with some signs of arthritis. The NHS states that there are around 10 million people with arthritis in the UK alone, so it’s vital for car manufacturers to accommodate drivers.

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What Makes A Car Suitable For Users With Arthritis?

Before we delve into the cars it is worth taking a bit of advice from the health care system on some key features to look for if you have mobility issues. Some or all of the below are what you should be including in your shopping list.

Automatic Transmission
Easily accessible grab handles
Higher seating position
Wide opening doors
Electric boot release
Easy to reach steering wheel controls

So let’s have a look at some of the cars which meet our criteria and would be worthy of consideration by our buyer:

Ford Focus Active – from £24,710

The Ford Focus has been around since 1998 and every generation has been easy to drive, had great visibility, and good ergonomics. The current offering has built on this and the Active model goes one step further by being raised by 30mm. This might not sound a lot but does make getting in and out easier.

The Focus Active is available in petrol or diesel and has the option of automatic transmission with both fuel types. Both are respectable performers but the diesel has the edge, having an additional 25 bhp unless you opt for the high output Ecoboost petrol.

The Focus Active has a good level of in-car technology and, useful for people with arthritis, many things can be controlled by Bluetooth voice control. A chunky steering wheel and great all-around visibility add to the package with the slightly softer ride on the higher profile tyres finishing it off.

The Good	The Bad
Great ergonomics	Few diesel engine issues
Easy access and good ride	Expensive
Excellent dealer network

Citroen C3 Aircross – from £19,595

Citroen have been masters of car comfort for well over 50 years. The current C3 Aircross is our pick and follows the Citroen tradition with a very comfortable ride. If you’re looking to avoid feeling every bump and pothole, this is a great choice of car.

So what else does the C3 Aircross offer? A higher than average seating position and excellent all-around visibility mean less neck strain to park and maneuver. The doors are light and open impressively wide making getting in and out an easy process, helping anyone with arthritis or other mobility issues.

We like the C3 Aircross design, although it won’t please everyone. Comparing the Aircross to its rivals, the sub £20,000 price tag is a huge bonus, although depreciation on these cars is faster than the likes of the Ford Focus Active.

Power is courtesy of either petrol or diesel with automatic transmission an option on both. The pick of the bunch is the petrol automatic which is very smooth and quiet and can return up to 50 mpg. Overall, it’s good to see the original comfortable car manufacturer still has a few aces up its sleeve in the 21st century.

The Good	The Bad
Very good ride	High depreciation
Economical	Only 2 years warranty
Starting price is competitive

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid- From £35,500

Toyota is the number one name in automotive reliability and always has been. The RAV 4 Hybrid looks to carry the reputation of Toyota, and for the older driver, this model has a lot of benefits.

The RAV 4 design features a high body, with both easy access and great visibility. Models also come with a reversing camera, and a fully automatic tailgate, further aiding access and visibility. The steering wheel position is fully adjustable, as is the driver’s seat, allowing anyone to find their optimum driving position.

Power comes from a range of plug-in or self-charging hybrid powertrains, all with automatic transmissions. These options affect the price though, with the Rav 4 starting at over £35,000, an expensive alternative to some of the other cars we’ve featured here.

Overall the Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid is an excellent choice for people who are starting to suffer from age-related issues like arthritis, with its well-thought-out technology and features. The price will put some owners off, but it’s a lot of cars for the money.

The Good	The Bad
Superb quality & reliability	Expensive
Lots of technology	May be too large for some owners
Impressive powertrain options

Honda Jazz Hybrid – From £20,860

If you think of a senior citizen’s car the Honda Jazz will not be far from your thoughts. This hatchback has been a popular model for some time, and it’s not hard to see why, always scoring well on reliability and practicality surveys and the current generation is no different.

The upright driving position in the Jazz makes getting in and out straightforward, and the visibility is excellent from the driver’s seat. The support for anyone with arthritis continues with the interior, which is full of helpful touches and simple controls.

Practicality in the Jazz extends to the rear, with Magic Seats, allowing larger items to be easily placed in the back. In addition, the boot floor is high, to limit reaching for those of us who are less flexible.

The 1.5-litre petrol engine is supplemented by an electric motor and is very smooth and quiet at all times, making for a relaxing drive. The light power-assisted steering completes the package for a car that is incredibly easy to use.

Overall, it’s easy to see why the Honda Jazz is such a popular choice for older drivers, and for anyone suffering from arthritis, it’s a car you should definitely consider.

The Good	The Bad
Very comfortable to drive	No major negatives
Clever, practical interior

Vauxhall Grandland – from £26,035

Vauxhall has been a market leader for spacious, useful transport for a long time. This tradition is carried on by their latest midsize SUV, The Vauxhall Grandland. So what might attract an older driver with arthritis to this car?

Firstly, the high seating position and good visibility are helpful features, but Vauxhall has gone a step further in the Grandland. With 18-way adjustable ‘Active Ergonomic seats’ these ensure that you can find your perfect sitting position, and drive in comfort. The wide opening doors make getting in and out of the Grandland a simple process too.

The Grandland has an electric tailgate which can be operated by a button on the dashboard, the key fob, or by putting a foot under the rear bumper. This allows easy access from any situation, particularly if you have mobility issues.

Powering the Vauxhall Grandland is a choice of either petrol or diesel engines, both of which are available with automatic transmission. The powertrains are low on performance, but strong on fuel economy.

Spacious, easy to drive, and with some nice touches in assisting older drivers, the Grandland is a car that is worth adding to your list.

The Good	The Bad
Solid all-round performer	High initial depreciation
Good mobility options for seating

Summary

So there we have our choice of the five cars to look at if you are older and suffering from arthritis or other mobility issues. There are others, of course, particularly if you have a higher-than-average budget, but these models represent our picks for most drivers.