EV For elderly parents

Forza_Monza · 29-01-2026 11:10AM

Have you checked out the Renault range?

Renault 4
Renault Symbioz
Renault Scenic
Renault Austral

Matthewjohn · 29-01-2026 11:12AM

Worth considering the Lexus LBX if you’re looking at small crossovers. Self‑charging hybrid, very easy to live with and great on fuel. Really well specced compared to rivals and typical Lexus build quality. Big bonus is up to 10‑year warranty with Lexus servicing.

CramCycle · 29-01-2026 11:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124188905#Comment_124188905

That was my first thought, looks nice, good resale value and has everything they want. With the range, unless they are doing massive miles, they will get away with charging at the shops when doing the weekly shop.

Gael23 · 29-01-2026 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189286#Comment_124189286

My 88 year old grandfather was about to do a deal on a Yaris Cross recently but he was offered a demo CHR for 1500 more and took that.

The only think with the Yaris Cross is you really need to go for top spec model to get decent kit.

Op I’d be putting your parents in a mid spec CHR

looksee · 29-01-2026 11:32AM

I am touching 80 and have had a Toyota Yaris Hybrid for 10 years, all it has cost me is tyres, fuel, annual service and a couple of windscreen wipers. Its nothing dramatic or amazing but it gets me around, is easy to drive, (my first ever automatic) has a brilliant reversing camera, and even though its a small car it is just that bit higher off the ground that makes it easier to get in and out of. My only criticism is that we have some long, quite steep hills around here and it doesn't exactly whizz up them - no problem to me but my daughter gets a bit annoyed with them. The boot size is a little bit snug too, because of the batteries - I can get the kitchen sink in, but not a load of timber as well. The new model (saw one yesterday) looks smarter than mine and has very comfy looking seats.

Markcheese · 29-01-2026 11:33AM

Id have suggested something like a kona , chances are they'll only really have to charge it once a fortnight,

Not sure about switches versus buttons in the kona ,

I assume you'll be doing most of any set up anyway .. but i assume you can set it to charge to 80%, and it'd happily sit plugged in at that all the time ,

I can see the logic of either an ev/ hybrid / automatic cvt ,

Its just a case of picking which ever one your mam feels most comfortable using , - getting in and out , visability , controls ect ..

Best of luck ..

FishOnABike · 29-01-2026 12:22PM

Almost any new car now, whether diesel, petrol or EV, will have screens and more hi-tech, cruise control, lane assist, auto follow, auto braking, etc... so I wouldn't get hung up on that.

Look at what meets their needs best. If they do mostly short journeys stay away from diesel. Stay away from any engine with a wet belt. EVs need less maintenance than a petrol or diesel car and there's less to go wrong with an EV. An Opel Frontera EV might be worth considering.

User1998 · 29-01-2026 12:32PM

Just get a Yaris Cross, it's the obvious choice

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 01:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189218#Comment_124189218

My 2 cents.

A lot of modern cars, EV, Hybrid or Non Hybrid, non ev all have complicated electronics and systems that use more power to stay alive when parked. Or the stop start systems. Hard in 12v standard battery that's in all cars.

Dead batteries is the no1 AA call out AFAIK.

Why with all those systems they can't display a message or send one to your phone to say the battery is low or not charging right I have no idea.

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 02:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189467#Comment_124189467

That's changing at 70 not 80 and with all respect you might be more comfortable with change and tech than others. Some people are techies and others are not.

I know on mine trying to set preheating or timed charging (low rate) is like setting the timer on a 80s VCR.

It's not that I can't work it out, I'm in IT. It's that when I driving a car I don't want all that complexity. I do like the gadgets at the same time.

I always like the VW eUP how they have an EV with all the same controls as a regular car. I know this is because it's a conversation of a petrol car. VW went down the route of removing buttons after this and I don't like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzDDDkzmtzk

User1998 · 29-01-2026 02:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189855#Comment_124189855

I think most cars do tell you when the battery is getting low. All VW group, BMW/Mini, and Mercedes definitely tell you anyway.

GPoint · 29-01-2026 02:40PM

Is OP pushing parents into purchase? Cannot see why anyone would want a laptop on wheels and learning curve associated with it dumped on them at that age, all only for doing trips to the shops and pharmacy.
Boot not closing can attach a rubber rope so it’s easier to reach for it.
There will be disappointment with the new car. Old is gold.

DisgustedTunbridgeWells · 29-01-2026 02:45PM

I would get a Toyota Yaris Cross hybrid. Been driving one myself for a year and its easy to drive and very economical. Plus the extra height is nice and comfortable. I would be reluctant to go full EV especially if elderly - a real pain especially in cold weather

...Ghost... · 29-01-2026 02:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189949#Comment_124189949

The OP said the parents are looking for a new car, so I take that at face value.

The mother has the latest iPhone, so I don't think there will be much problem moving to a modern car, EV or ICE.

Modern cars are also much safer, so there is that to consider.

micks_address · 29-01-2026 02:52PM

its an interesting topic.. if the OP's car is a manual gearbox then id be all for changing.. driving an auto is just so much easier at any age. I do agree with others that change is really hard at that age. My parents want a car with a manual handbrake with indicators and controls that they are used to.. they drove opels for years and skoda and wouldnt take anything else… their criteria is a higher seat thats easier to get in and out of.. not necessarily a higher car.. petrol as they don't need to worry about shorter journeys and soot issues on egr valves etc.. In saying that they do have an ev charger that i got fitted at their place for when i visit for handy charging. So in theory they could have an EV and if they only had to charge it every week or so wouldnt be a problem. Would they do it? probably not unless they had no option.

looksee · 29-01-2026 02:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189881#Comment_124189881

The Hybrid (at least the one I have, don't know about more recent ones) has virtually no techy stuff, and I am not techy - practical yes, techy no, I have trouble with my phone! Anyway why not talk to your mother rather than doing it for her. Be prepared to offer suggestions and answer questions when she has them, if she is fit to drive she is still thinking and capable. I would be a bit annoyed at someone leading looking for a new car for me, rather than supporting.

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 03:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189993#Comment_124189993

I had a hire Arona last year on holidays. Really liked the extra space and height. I had driven one before and didn't like it. This time I did. Spec was weird though Auto petrol with manual hand brake.

I sat in the Yaris Cross and didn't think it that roomy. Didn't drive it though. With Toyota they actually honour their warranties hard to look past that these days.

pooley124 · 29-01-2026 03:24PM

The easiest and most straightforward thing would be to just trade in the Q2 for a new petrol Q2. Spec all the options your mother wants, job done.

micks_address · 29-01-2026 03:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189881#Comment_124189881

good news for button lovers is they are all coming back to VW over the next few years.. VW ID Polo probably the first to be old school buttons.. filtering into all other models moving forward

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 03:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124190174#Comment_124190174

I saw that. About time.

HBC08 · 29-01-2026 07:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189066#Comment_124189066

yes,its diesel

HBC08 · 29-01-2026 07:39PM

She needs to put the seats back to get in and then move them forward for driving position every time.

carsfan2 · 29-01-2026 07:39PM

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

I wouldn’t bother with complicating things with EV for your parents. I would look at Lexus LBX if I was you.
The top spec Lexus LBX has heated memory drivers seat and power tailgate. The interior fit and finish is far ahead of other similarly sized cars and it drives very smoothly.

Very cheap to run too.

HBC08 · 29-01-2026 07:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124189949#Comment_124189949

Rope already attached to boot since day 1 with the Q2.

The mother never complained about anything in her life but is now mentioning she'd like a new car.

Im not pushing them into new car,I'd prefer if they kept the one they have but I figure at their age they deserve whatever they want.

Flinty997 · 29-01-2026 08:06PM

Lexus sounds a good meet in the middle option.

yagan · 29-01-2026 09:58PM

My experience of recent years helping relatives in their 80s and cars is that driving ability can steeply decline. Probably best to stick with lifelong habits of an combustion engine auto. Even if they're still able to adapt to an EV today, cognitive decline can mean reduced recall later.

Another issue that someone else raised is that hybrids can require regular driving or their small battery won't recharge enough if they're only doing a spin to the local shop maybe twice a week.

I've had this problem with a relatives Toyota hybrid in recent years and now I keep a small jump starter pack handy as non starting has happened too many times.

mailforkev · 30-01-2026 09:38AM

Lexus LBX is made for this situation, old people who are used to a bit of premium.

eastie17 · 30-01-2026 10:18AM

Renault scenic would be my recommendation. Has normal controls for wipers, indicators etc, good space, easy to get in and out of, auto boot, power seats with facial recognition memory for seat and mirror settings. Very easy to setup

yagan · 30-01-2026 10:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124191811#Comment_124191811

When I was car shopping with my elderly relative the LBX really stood out for, although at the time I was weary as they were trying to get out of a Corolla that they were starting to have difficulty parking. They adjusted to a lower shorter car than the LBX, but the LBX really was lush.

At least an LBX is slightly shorter than the Audi A2 mentioned in the first post so dimension wise it wouldn't be too much of a change. It has the same CVT transmission as the 2 ltr corolla which was awful to drive, but it seems to be more reactive and immediate in the smaller 1.5 Ltr in the LBX.

I would be concerned though about the problem of a dead starter battery as was common with the Corolla when it was only being driven 20 minutes a week. This seems to be a recurring issue with the Toyota/Lexus hybrids and the dealerships I chatted with didn't contest it.

cgorzy · 30-01-2026 10:52AM

I’d be picking between the Yaris Cross, CHR and Lexus LBX like a lot of others here. They are very economical from what I have seen from relatives with the Toyota models. At 100km a week they would probably only need to fill up about 10 times a year and that is with a smallish tank. It will take them years to cover the cost of a charger install and it probably won’t be worthwhile changing electricity plan for the small amount of extra they will do with the car. Maybe if they don’t use their full over 70’s energy credit it could make financial sense but that is unlikely I imagine and would probably mean slow charging to avoid the install cost, and that is adding unneeded complication.

EV For elderly parents

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