EV For elderly parents

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 06:17PM #1

My parents (both in their 80s) are looking for a new car (currently in a 2017 Audi Q2)

My dad is really into his cars but isn't able to drive anymore so it's my mam (who has zero interest in cars) doing the driving.

They don't do long journeys and could have a charger fitted at home so an EV could suit if I can convince the auld lad.

The most important features are a crossover/SUV with the following features more important than range/power/charging times etc...

Memory seats,

Heated seats

Automatic boot operation

Is there anything that fits the bill?

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 06:24PM

Ps,just to mention they are looking to buy new and trade in Q2...

...Ghost... · 28-01-2026 06:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058431775/ev-for-elderly-parents

Budget?

Recommending moving this to the EV forum

drunkmonkey · 28-01-2026 06:45PM

I wouldn’t complicate things with an EV, just get something they’re comfortable getting in and out of. The torque and screens is a lot at your mum’s age. Maybe a mild hybrid Toyota CHR for example.

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 06:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188038#Comment_124188038

Haha! We just test drive one this afternoon.

Wasn't too impressed.A lot of road noise and just a meh car.

Had all the features she wanted though

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 06:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124187981#Comment_124187981

Sorry,should have posted in EV forum and mentioned budget.

About 25k to 30k with trade in so about the 40k to 50k retail.

TigerTim · 28-01-2026 07:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188038#Comment_124188038

Totally agree with Drunkmonkey. Have a neighbour who's younger than them & finds it a pain to plug in/out his EV especially in the winter rain etc. I'd be looking at a hybrid maybe like the Toyota Yaris Cross or Aygo cross or CHR. Your mam will get sick of handling & plugging in wet cables very quickly. My tuppence worth.

T.

drunkmonkey · 28-01-2026 07:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188076#Comment_124188076

I put my mum in one, the only complaint I’ve had is the how much Toyota charged her for wiper blades. It’s easy get in and out.
I took her on a load of test drives, it’s one of those buy it and forget about it cars, if she’s happy go for it.

drunkmonkey · 28-01-2026 07:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188076#Comment_124188076

😁….I doubt she’d notice the road noise, your Dad was probably taking her to the Vegas ballroom in one of these, https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/ford-anglia/40895791?utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=listing_share&utm_source=copy

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 07:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188115#Comment_124188115

Ha! It was moreso me complaining about the road noise for sure.

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 07:24PM

Thats a good point.

I like cars but am clueless about EVs as im not eligible to own one,I don't have a dedicated parking space

I thought with a home charger and very little milage they'd only need to charge it every 4-5 days.Also I had imagined it would be a fairly easy and clean job (I can see it would be a bigger hassle with granny cables etc)

crisco10 · 28-01-2026 07:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188147#Comment_124188147

yeah home charging is easy and not at all messy. If you get tethered home charger it is really not that hard. It’s as hard as putting a petrol nozzle in. Except it’s at home and cheaper.

I suppose the messiest bit is getting an appropriate electricity plan to suit home charging.

...Ghost... · 28-01-2026 08:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188083#Comment_124188083

That's a decent budget. It it weren't for the size (you mentioned crossover SUV), I'd say just get a Tesla Model Y. Would need to be the premium version for the memory seats. I got one because I needed an SUV for mobility issues after an accident which made life easier. Extremely safe, comfortable, lots of range, very practical with lots of space, but probably too big as it fits firmly into SUV category.

Cupra Tavascan would be a nice match. Very stylish and a bit different. They remind me of an Alfa, except they are from a reliable heritage.

Nissan are launching their new Nissan Leaf which could fit the bill for the low end of the budget. I wouldn't personally give them my money because they are shítty when it comes to warranty issues, but it's worth mentioning atleast. It should be available to order very soon.

The MG4 is probably a better shout over the pre-facelift MG5 which was a SW style. The MG4 being on the smaller crossover size, but again, very budget friendly.

Test drive a few with the folks and see what you like. There are plenty of experts on here who have never sat in an EV, so be mindful of that. Listen to people with actual real world EV ownership experience, but do your own research. Ask in the EV section and you'll get informed answers.

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 08:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188275#Comment_124188275

Thats brilliant info,thanks a mill.

I don't think they'd go gor a Tesla but all others are live options.

Ill be checking them all out.Really like the MGs

blackbox · 28-01-2026 09:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188338#Comment_124188338

I wouldn't blame them. The Musk factor could also affect the value later on.

cobham · 28-01-2026 09:32PM

I like my Hyundai Inster, love the high seat position and visibility all road with large glass areas. Yes heated seats and steering wheel but no automatic boot opening in fact it is a bit fiddley to open….about the only negative point I would make.

mikeecho · 28-01-2026 09:50PM

For an older driver, I wouldn't get them an EV, is your mother tech savvy?

Personally, my parents have difficulty getting into a different car, where the switches etc are different.

HBC08 · 28-01-2026 09:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188526#Comment_124188526

Yes she's fairly tech savvy,has the latest iPhone.

It certainly is a consideration though.I hate everything on a touchscreen in a car.Its dangerous,a lot of people don't like it and I think manufacturers are beginning to listen.

...Ghost... · 28-01-2026 09:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188389#Comment_124188389

The blue haired brigade only improves the value in owning one. Wasn't long ago they were smelling the musk from his trousers. Some people can make purchasing decisions without other peoples politics. The OP asked about cars. Any comments on the MG which is owned by China? I was talking about cars though.

bazz26 · 28-01-2026 11:51PM

Skoda Elroq?

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 01:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188090#Comment_124188090

You'd have to be very fickle to be bothered by plugging in a cable and not by filling up a petrol station.

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 01:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188526#Comment_124188526

I think this is more the issue. Change when you are older can be very hard. Tbh modern cars are too complicated. I want buttons myself. I would hate no stalks in a Tesla.

One of my parent changed their car around that age and tbh they didn't need to and they never really were at their ease in the new car. Insisted against my advice. Tbh we drove it a lot with them as a passenger and we filled it for them. I think they stopped driving within 3yrs of changing car.

You've actually given no reason to change the car other than you want to. What's wrong with the Q2?

Someone has to really want an EV to make it work in my opinion. Even my OH says she loves driving the EV we have. But all the techie stuff is too much for them.

HBC08 · 29-01-2026 01:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189014#Comment_124189014

The Q2 isn't getting driven enough for a diesel,they're doing about 100 kilometres a week on short journeys. The mother can't close the boot,was always an issue but more so in the last few years.

Like many Audis it doesn't have features that you'd expect on most cars,heated seats,memory seats etc (my 15 year old car has these)

User1998 · 29-01-2026 01:39AM

Is your Morher significantly younger than your Father? Because expecting an 80 year old to switch to a more modern car without facing challenges is wishful thinking. Changing cars can be challenging at that age full stop, never mind changing to an EV

I'd also like to know how many years driving you think she has left? And why her current car needs to go?

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 03:49AM

Ah diesel? Is it an auto?

sligopaul · 29-01-2026 08:56AM

As above I know you mentioned full ev but my folks who are in the 80s bought a hybrid Yaris Cross and love it

zg3409 · 29-01-2026 09:34AM

Auto can be a help but has a learning curve. Reverse camera is helpful too. Sometimes very small can help with parking. I would not bother with EV, it's just extra stress.

odyssey06 · 29-01-2026 09:40AM

There was a recent thread on boards about Toyota hybrid batteries dying if car not being driven enough?
(not the rechargeable battery, its small standard one)

If the current diesel isn't being driven enough, could that be a concern here?

edited to link to thread:
https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058367097/toyota-hybrid-12v-battery-draining-constantly

pooley124 · 29-01-2026 10:16AM

If filling petrol/diesel isn't a problem for them then I wouldn't go fixing a problem that doesn't exist. Touchscreens are very difficult for elderly people to operate and figuring out when and how to charge an EV may create more problems for them.

Just as an example of the difficulties older people have, my mother bought a new car a few years ago. Instead of a simple knob to control the radio volume its done on the touchscreen. The net result is she has stopped listening to the radio altogether.

A Yaris cross is a good shout. My aunt bought a corolla cross and is very happy with it. It's a self charging hybrid not that she knows what that is, lol

kermitpwee · 29-01-2026 10:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189024#Comment_124189024

Get a newer petrol Q2

pjdarcy · 29-01-2026 10:32AM

If your mother is the only one driving the car, are memory seats really necessary? If not, a KIA niro ev or a Hyundai Kona might be worth looking at. My father is in his 80s and he can get in/out of my e-niro without too much difficulty.

EV For elderly parents

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