Best cars for older drivers

The Honda Jazz remains a legendary choice for older drivers and the 2026 e:HEV model only adds to this reputation. Its standout feature is visibility. The panoramic windscreen is supported by some of the thinnest A-pillars on any modern car, reducing blind spots at junctions and car parks.

The Magic Seats remain a unique selling point, allowing the rear seat bases to flip up like cinema chairs. No other car offers such a clever or versatile seating system and it means you can carry things like large potted plants or mobility aids without needing to fold the entire rear bench. It's also a great feature for owner's of larger dogs. 

The self-charging hybrid system in the Jazz is smooth, providing effortless electric acceleration around town without the complexity of having to plug it in to charge. It does get noisy under hard acceleration, but for the most part, the Jazz is a quiet and easy to drive small car.

Known for its Simply Clever features, the Skoda Karoq is one of the most practical SUVs on the market. Its raised seating position makes getting in and out much easier than in a conventional hatchback, while the large windows and slim pillars provide excellent visibility in all directions.

Recent Design Edition models add useful features such as a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit, heated steering wheel and heated front seats, making cold winter mornings much more comfortable – particularly for drivers with arthritis or poor circulation. Better still, Skoda has resisted the temptation to move everything onto the touchscreen. The climate controls are operated by physical dials and buttons, so adjusting the temperature or fan speed is quick and easy while you're driving.

Practicality is another Karoq strength. The clever VarioFlex rear seats slide, recline or can be removed completely, allowing you to create a large, flat load area for mobility aids, gardening equipment or bulky shopping.

If you're looking for an electric car electric, the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo is a strong choice for older drivers Volkswagen has steadily refined the ID.3 since it was first launched, responding to customer feedback with more intuitive controls, improved software and backlit touch sliders that are much easier to use after dark.

Because it was designed from the outset as an electric car, the ID.3 offers good interior space despite its compact size. The flat floor and long wheelbase create lots of legroom for both front and rear passengers, while the raised seating position makes getting in and out easier than many conventional hatchbacks. Higher-spec models feature AGR-approved ergonomic front seats with excellent lumbar support, helping to reduce tiredness on longer journeys.

The latest ID.3 also benefits from improved battery technology, delivering a longer driving range and faster charging than earlier versions. Combined with light steering, excellent visibility and a quiet, refined cabin, it's an electric car that's relaxing and confidence-inspiring to drive every day.

If you want a touch of luxury with your practicality, the Audi Q3 offers a high-quality interior with some of the best visibility for a small SUV. Its slightly raised driving position makes getting in and out straightforward, while the large windows and well-designed mirrors provide excellent visibility, helping to make town driving and parking less stressful.

The latest Q3 also benefits from improved sound insulation and acoustic glass, creating a quiet, relaxing cabin that's great on longer motorway journeys. Light, accurate steering makes it easy to manoeuvre through narrow streets and supermarket car parks, while many models are fitted with parking sensors, a reversing camera or a 360-degree camera system.

Inside, the quality is apparent. Soft-touch materials and supportive seats give the Q3 a premium feel, but it's also refreshingly straightforward to use. Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display is clear and customisable, allowing you to display large navigation maps and key driving information directly in front of you.

The Kia Niro comes with the choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric power so you can choose the version that best suits your driving without giving up the practicality that makes the Niro such a popular family car.

Its seating position strikes an excellent balance. You're sitting higher than in a conventional hatchback, making it easier to get in and out, but it doesn't feel as tall or bulky as a large SUV. Visibility is excellent, the controls are simple to understand and the light steering makes driving around town effortless.

Higher-spec models feature Kia's clever Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing you to move the car forwards or backwards using the key fob while standing outside the vehicle. It's particularly useful if you're parking in a narrow garage or someone has left very little room to open your door. Add Kia's seven-year warranty, excellent reliability record and low running costs, and the Niro is a reassuringly sensible choice.

The Hyundai Tucson is a great choice for older drivers who want a comfortable, well-equipped SUV that's easy to live with. Its slightly raised driving position makes getting in and out straightforward, while the supportive seats and compliant suspension help make both short trips and long journeys more relaxing.

Inside, the Tucson has a modern cabin with twin 12.3-inch displays that are clear, responsive and angled towards the driver for easy operation. Hyundai has also included plenty of useful technology, including its Blind-Spot View Monitor. When you indicate, a live camera image of the area alongside the car appears in the digital instrument display, making it much easier to spot cyclists, motorcyclists or other vehicles you might otherwise miss.

Practicality is another Tucson strength. The doors open wide, making access to both the front and rear seats simple, while the big boot is ideal for shopping, luggage or mobility equipment. It's backed by Hyundai's five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and an excellent reputation for reliability.

Building on Toyota's reputation for reliability, the Toyota Yaris Cross may look small but it's surprisingly spacious for a small car with a roomy cabin, good visibility and a practical boot without feeling bulky on narrow roads or in busy car parks.

Its self-charging hybrid system is one of the most efficient around, regularly returning more than 60mpg in everyday driving. Better still, it's completely straightforward to use. The car automatically switches between petrol and electric power when it makes sense, so there's no need to think about charging or selecting different driving modes.

The Yaris Cross is also packed with useful features. Higher-spec Excel and Premiere Edition models include a hands-free powered tailgate, allowing you to open the boot with a wave of your foot when your hands are full – handy when you have arms full of shopping and you've left the key in your pocket. It also comes with the 10 year or 100,000 mile Toyota Relax warranty cover, as long as it's serviced within the Toyota dealer network.

The BYD Atto 3 shows just how quickly new Chinese brands are catching up with established manufacturers. It's a spacious family SUV that's easy to drive, well kitted out and offers lots of car for the money.

The slightly raised seating position provides a good view of the road ahead, while the light steering and tight turning circle make the Atto 3 surprisingly easy to manoeuvre around town. Inside, the standout feature is the large 15.6-inch touchscreen, which can rotate between landscape and portrait modes depending on whether you're using the map or Apple CarPlay. Once you've got used to the menus, the system is quick to respond and packed with useful functions.

Comfort is another strong point. The supportive front seats are trimmed in soft vegan leather, while a standard heat pump helps keep the cabin warm in winter without having a major impact on driving range. Combined with a smooth ride, generous interior space and a comprehensive list of standard equipment, the Atto 3 is a convincing alternative to more established electric SUVs such as the Skoda Elroq and Kia EV3.

The Volkswagen T-Roc combines the higher driving position of an SUV with the manageable size of a family hatchback. Sitting slightly higher than a Volkswagen Golf makes it easier to get in and out, while the raised seating position gives a clearer view of the road ahead and makes junctions and parking easier to judge.

The controls are simple and intuitive, with clearly marked buttons and an infotainment system that's easy to navigate. Visibility is good, and many models come with useful driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and blind spot monitoring.

The T-Roc is also comfortable over longer journeys, with supportive seats and a composed ride that smooths out rough roads. Its 445-litre boot is large enough for shopping, luggage or mobility aids without being difficult to access, while the rear seats fold flat if you need more space. Add Volkswagen's reputation for solid build quality and strong resale values, and the T-Roc is an easy SUV to recommend for older drivers.

The Skoda Fabia is one of the easiest small cars to live with, making it an excellent choice for older drivers who want something that's comfortable, practical and cheap to run. Although it's compact enough to park easily, the Fabia makes excellent use of its size, offering plenty of headroom and legroom along with a generous 380-litre boot that's among the biggest in its class.

The driving position is comfortable, with supportive seats and controls that are clearly laid out and easy to reach. Large windows and slim pillars provide good all-round visibility, helping to make town driving and parking less stressful. Many models are also available with parking sensors, a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control.

On the road, the Fabia is quiet, stable and comfortable, with light steering that's ideal for manoeuvring at low speeds. The petrol engines keep running costs down, while Skoda's reputation for reliability and practical touches, such as wide-opening doors and useful cabin storage, make the Fabia a sensible choice for everyday life.