Some cars are built with tons of controls and sophisticated systems, which is fine. But not everybody would benefit from driving a car like that. That’s especially true for older drivers. There are a few vehicles, like the Honda Fit, that are simple, easy to use, and don’t pose a safety risk with too many distractions. 

U.S. News came up with a list of vehicles that are great fits when it comes to older drivers. The Honda Fit was one of them. Let’s see what features are important for grandparents to have in their car and see if the Honda Fit meets that need.

What older drivers should look for in a vehicle

There are a few things that older drivers should look for when beginning their search for a new vehicle. One of the most important things to keep in mind is how easy it is to access. Can they get in and out of it really easy? If not, keep looking. 

Another area of importance is the safety features the car has. The two must-haves, according to Consumer Reports, are automatic emergency warning and forward collision alert system. There are many other safety features that would help grandparents drive safely. In fact, the more a car has, the better it is. 

Easy-to-use controls are essential. Some climate and infotainment systems are challenging to use even for young drivers. For older drivers, however, it can be an enormous distraction and could cause an accident. Keeping things simple will help them stay focused on the road. 

How Honda’s small hatchback could “fit” their needs

The Honda Fit’s hatchback style has everything an older driver needs. Honda installed large doors on the Fit so your grandparents can slide in and out of the car easily. There’s no climbing up to get into the front seat of a pickup or stooping down to access the driver’s seat of a low car. 

Seats are wide enough to offer plenty of support, and they’re comfortable so an older driver can make long trips that don’t give them backaches or pain in their joints. 

When it comes to the controls of the infotainment system or climate control, the Honda Fit has one of the easiest interfaces available. Your grandparent can make the necessary adjustments quickly and easily, so they keep focusing on the road, not on fiddling with a dash feature.  

Honda offers their Sensing Suite of safety features, which has several useful items. Some of them include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning to name just a few. 

U.S. News gave the Honda Fit a score of 8.8 out of 10 because of its ease of use and extremely low price point. The Fit starts at $16,190. The Fit meets every one of those needs. 

What else does the Honda Fit offer?

Powering up the Honda Fit is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 128 hp when using the continuously variable transmission. For those who choose a manual, it will get 130 hp with 114 lb-ft of torque. The engine doesn’t seem to offer very much pep, according to US News, but for older drivers, it should be perfect. 

Fuel economy is pretty good too. With a manual, the car gets 29 city miles to the gallon, and 36 mpg on the highway. With a CVT, the Fit can get 33 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway. That keeps them from not having to stop for gas too often, especially in unfamiliar places. 

The Honda Fit doesn’t have the most sophisticated infotainment system on the market, but that’s perfect for older drivers. You’ll get a navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD radio, Satellite radio, and their HondaLink.

If your grandparent needs a new vehicle, the Honda Fit would be one of the best choices to check out. It offers everything they could use in a car and doesn’t come with too many bells and whistles that might end up confusing them or distracting them from the road.