Owning a good car offers great freedom to its owners. However, senior citizens also need several features for a convenient and safe ride. Maruti Suzuki offers multiple hatchbacks that are ideal for senior citizen drivers. In this article, let’s compare Maruti WagonR AMT with S-Presso AMT and see which is a better choice for elderly drivers on a budget. Here’s a quick look at the driveability, safety, and senior-friendly features of the two cars.
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What Are Ideal Features For Senior Citizen Cars?
Ideally, if you are purchasing a car for senior citizens, the focus should be on safety, comfort, ease of use and other such factors. For example, one should even check if the car offers easy ingress and egress. For safety, the car should also have ABS, airbags and parking assistance as a bare minimum. Ideal features for senior citizen cars should prioritize comfort, safety, ease of use, and accessibility. Here are some key features to consider:
- Comfort and Convenience:
- Comfortable, supportive seats with ample cushioning.
- Easy entry and exit with wide door openings.
- Adjustable power seats for optimal positioning.
- Simple and intuitive infotainment controls.
- Climate control with easy-to-read displays.
- Safety Features:
- Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB) for collision avoidance.
- Parking assistance with cameras and sensors.
- High visibility with large, clear windows.
- Anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
- Accessibility:
- Low step-in height and ground clearance for easy access.
- Grab handles and assist grips for stability.
- Large and easily accessible trunk or cargo space.
- Keyless entry and push-button start.
- Wide-opening doors for better access.
- Driver Aids:
- Large, easy-to-read gauges and controls.
- Adjustable steering column and pedals.
- Good exterior visibility for easier maneuvering.
- Voice-activated controls for hands-free operation.
- GPS navigation with clear directions.
- Comfort Features:
- Soft suspension for a smooth ride.
- Sound insulation for a quieter cabin.
- Heated seats and steering wheel for cold weather.
- Ventilated seats for hot weather.
- Ample legroom and headroom.
- Reliability and Durability:
- Reliable engine and transmission.
- Low maintenance requirements.
- Good fuel efficiency to save on running costs.
- Long-lasting materials and construction.
- Ergonomics:
- Large, easy-to-read buttons and controls.
- Simple and intuitive touchscreen interface.
- Well-placed cup holders and storage compartments.
- Comfortable armrests and interior layout.
- Safety Ratings:
- Choose a car with high safety ratings and crash test scores.
- Check for recalls and stay updated on safety features.
- Customizable Options:
- Look for models with optional features that suit individual needs, such as adaptive seating or custom audio systems.
- Affordability:
- Consider the overall cost, including purchase price, insurance, and maintenance.
- Look for senior discounts or special financing options.
- Warranty and Support:
- Opt for vehicles with comprehensive warranties and good customer support for peace of mind.
- Easy Maintenance:
- Accessible engine compartment for simple maintenance tasks.
- Low-cost replacement parts and easily available service centers.
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Maruti WagonR AMT and Maruti S-Presso AMT Variants
Variants | Price (25 July 2023) |
Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT | Rs 5.76 Lakh |
Maruti Suzuki WagonR ZXI AT | Rs 6.83 Lakh |
Maruti Suzuki WagonR ZXI Plus AT | Rs 7.30 Lakh |
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Opt AT | Rs 6.54 Lakh |
Maruti Suzuki S-PressoVXi Plus Opt AT | Rs 6.05 Lakh |
Both Maruti Suzuki WagonR and S-Presso models are quite popular among senior citizens in India. The compact vehicles feature a tall-boy design and offer good ground clearance. Both come with senior-friendly features like power steering, power windows, and automatic transmission. The fuel-efficient cars are ideal for senior citizens on a fixed income. Additionally, it is easy to fix these models due to low maintenance costs. The parts are easily available at affordable prices. Maruti Suzuki also offers a wide range of services.
The Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT offers an overall mileage of 25.19 kmpl. While the Maruti Suzuki WagonR ZXI AT comes at a higher price, it does not offer any additional senior citizen-friendly features. On the other hand, the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXI Opt AT offers a higher ground clearance that is ideal for Indian roads. However, the seats are not ideal for long journeys. Additionally, the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXI Plus Opt AT gets a touchscreen. Both S-Presso options offer better fuel efficiency than the WagonR models.
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Maruti Suzuki WagonR Vs S-Presso Automatic Variants: Which Is Better Choice For Senior Citizens
Among the Maruti Suzuki WagonR and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso, the best option for senior citizens is the Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT. It offers an automatic transmission, overall mileage of 25.19 kmpl, good ground clearance, and other convenience features that put it over the other three options. The second best options are Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Opt AT and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT. Here’s a quick comparison:
Features | WagonR VXI AT | S-Presso VXi Opt AT | S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT |
Overall Mileage (kmpl) | 25.19 | 27 | 27 |
Transmission – Auto Type | AMT | AMT | AMT |
ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Steering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Windows – Back | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Power Windows – Front | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Seat comfort | Supportive | Firm | Firm |
Touchscreen Navigation | No | No | Yes |
Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Ground Clearance (mm) | 165 | 180 | 180 |
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What We Think
It is to be noted that the best option depends on your requirements. For example, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR VXI AT offers supportive seats that add to the comfort. On the other hand, the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Opt AT offers better mileage and higher ground clearance. For additional convenience features like a touchscreen, you can pick the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso VXi Plus Opt AT variant. However, it also carries the biggest price tag. In summation, all the above-mentioned cars offer multiple features that are ideal for senior citizens.
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