Being a senior citizen does not mean life has to come to a halt. Having a vehicle and being able to drive it brings about a sense of independence that a senior citizen appreciates. Let’s look at Maruti Suzuki’s hatchbacks – WagonR and S-Presso – to see how they can be good cars for senior citizens.
In today’s article, we will share
- What a senior citizen car buyer looks for in a car
- Maruti Suzuki WagonR vs S-Presso – an in-depth look at their senior-friendly features, driveability, safety, and comfort
- How to pick the right car for you
If you’re wondering which of these cars will be right for you, read on.
What a Senior Citizen Car Buyer Looks For in a Car
Here’s what a senior citizen buyer should look for in a car:
- Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
- Ease of use – Is the car easy to drive? Does it have easy accessibility?
- Comfort – Does the car have enough space, ACs, easy-to-reach points, etc?
- Fuel efficiency – Is the car fuel efficient?
When looking for the best cars for senior citizens, a senior citizen car buyer prioritizes safety, ease of use, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Features such as automatic transmission, ample ground clearance, convenient power windows, and comfortable seating are sought after in cars for older people.
Advanced safety features such as ABS and parking assistance, alongside a high overall mileage, further appeal to seniors’ needs. The car’s size and ease of entry/exit, along with intuitive features like Bluetooth connectivity, are other important considerations.
Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
Why Maruti Suzuki WagonR and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso are Popular
Maruti Suzuki has always been synonymous with reliability and customer service in India. Its WagonR and S-Presso models, in particular, have been popular among senior citizens due to their compact size, tall-boy design, and high seating position that allows easy ingress and egress.
Furthermore, these cars are equipped with senior-friendly features like power steering, automatic transmission, and power windows that make them easy to operate.
Moreover, the WagonR and S-Presso come with ample ground clearance which makes them ideal for Indian roads. They also have a reputation for being fuel-efficient, which is an attractive prospect for those who are financially savvy or on a fixed income.
Finally, the wide service network of Maruti Suzuki, affordability of parts and low maintenance cost adds to their popularity among the elderly. You can also check out our comparison of the WagonR and S-Presso as family cars.
Maruti Suzuki WagonR and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso Variants Shortlist in Rs 5-7 Lakh Range
For Maruti Suzuki WagonR, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 25 July 2023 |
| VXI AT | ₹ 576,000 |
| ZXI AT | ₹ 683,000 |
For Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 25 July 2023 |
| VXi Opt AT | ₹ 654,000 |
| VXi Plus Opt AT | ₹ 605,000 |
Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT
The WagonR VXI AT offers an automatic transmission, simplifying driving for seniors. The variant also has a high overall mileage of 25.19 kmpl, which is an attractive factor for fuel efficiency. If you’re a safety-conscious buyer, you can read our comparison of the Maruti WagonR with Tata Tiago.
Maruti Suzuki WagonR ZXI AT
WagonR ZXI AT shares similar features with the VXI AT, but is priced higher. However, it does not provide any additional P0 priority features catering specifically to senior citizens, making the VXI AT a more cost-effective choice.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXI Opt AT
The S-Presso VXi Opt AT stands out with its higher ground clearance, which can help seniors navigate challenging road conditions better. However, the seat comfort is reported as firm, which might not be ideal for longer journeys.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXI Plus Opt AT
S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT, despite being the most expensive S-Presso variant here, offers a touchscreen, enhancing the overall convenience for senior citizens. But, like the other S-Presso variant, the seat comfort is firm. Both S-Presso variants have better fuel efficiency than the WagonR variants.
Our Pick for the Best Variant Among Maruti Suzuki WagonR and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso for Senior Citizen Car Buyers
Considering the needs of senior citizen car buyers, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT appears to be the best variant. It offers an automatic transmission, which simplifies driving. Moreover, it provides a high overall mileage of 25.19 kmpl, which is an essential factor for seniors who are often on a fixed income.
The ground clearance and other features are also suitable for Indian road conditions. The seat comfort is marked as supportive, which is ideal for elderly drivers and passengers. We also have our comparison of the Maruti Suzuki WagonR with S-Presso for budget-conscious buyers.
The Top 3 Choices
- Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT
- Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Opt AT
- Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT
| Attributes | WagonR VXI AT | S-Presso VXi Opt AT | S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT |
| ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 165 | 180 | 180 |
| Overall Mileage (kmpl) | 25.19 | 27 | 27 |
| Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Windows – Back | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Windows – Front | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Seat comfort | Supportive | Firm | Firm |
| Transmission – Auto Type | AMT | AMT | AMT |
| Touchscreen Navigation | No | No | Yes |
How to Pick the Right Car for You?
- If you appreciate supportive seats, then the WagonR VXI AT shines in terms of seat comfort and is a sensible choice for its price.
- If you’re OK with firmer seats, but need higher ground clearance and better mileage, the S-Presso VXi Opt AT will be the perfect choice.
- If you need the added convenience of a touchscreen navigation system, you can go for the S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT. Its fuel efficiency matches that of the other S-Presso variant, too. It is, however, the costliest in our list.
All three variants are comfortable cars for elderly drivers in India. They are equipped with features that cater well to the needs of senior citizen car buyers, striking a balance between comfort, safety, and convenience.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered
