WhatCar - A Yeti but not as we know it for elderly parents

[JulietRomeo]

Hi folks, What car please as a replacement to a 2008 Mercedes A class for my 70 year old parents. The reason for the change is spurred by the seating position which by design does not have decent footwell depth relative to the seat height. My dad struggles with entry/exit and needs a more conventional but still overall elevated seating position.

Mandatory criteria
Elevated seating position which allows for easier transition between upright and seated positions
Larger than supermini (Discounts Fiesta, Polo, Jazz etc)
Auto, petrol (<3kpa)
Parking sensors
An ergonomic dashboard that doesn't require an IT degree for them to fiddle with heating and radio controls

A Skoda Yeti would be my choice for them however these are veto'ed by mum due to memories of battling with windscreen condensation build up on the 2003 Fabia (which the A class replaced).

Likely contenders are the Tiguan, Q3, X1... others please Kuga , Ecosport?

Likely to be discounted; French, Vauxhall(Mokka),

I'm somewhat adrift of the current makes and models crossovers these days so I can't rustle off the top 10 best suggestions to include the Kia and Mazda's of this world which I might otherwise overlook.

Budget.. upto 15k tops please.

Thanks
Jr

[Superhoop]

Mazda CX-5, Mazda CX-3?

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Seat Ateca?

[JulietRomeo]

CX-3 - over budget
CX-5 - diesel only. folks will do 2-20 mile trips only.

[MDMA .]

my Mum and Dad have a Yeti. 1.2tsi engine one. they both love it. one in the 70's, other approaching 70. I thought it would a bit underpowered but it drives quite well. my Mum also has a VW UP for going the shops in and they use the Yeti for longer runs.

[JulietRomeo]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

Seat Ateca?

Autos look like they are north of £25,000.. needs to be 15k tops. thanks for input

[BuzzBravado]

The Suzuki Jimny is still in production. Simple to use, elevated and small petrol engine. Auto version RRP £15,600.

Edited by BuzzBravado on Friday 2nd December 16:24

[JulietRomeo]

MDMA . said:

my Mum and Dad have a Yeti. 1.2tsi engine one. they both love it. one in the 70's, other approaching 70. I thought it would a bit underpowered but it drives quite well. my Mum also has a VW UP for going the shops in and they use the Yeti for longer runs.

Mum won't even set foot onto a Skoda forecourt after the Fabia condensation. I've tried and its always met with stubborn refusal. Not worth me pushing it anymore with them so now looking elsewhere...

[JulietRomeo]

BuzzBravado said:

The Suzuki Jimny is still in production. Simple to use, elevated and small petrol engine. No parking sensors though. RRP £12,600 so more likely £11k out the door with discounts?

Good shout Buzz.. but criteria I overlooked to mention; must have min. 4 doors

[Krikkit]

JulietRomeo said:

MDMA . said:

my Mum and Dad have a Yeti. 1.2tsi engine one. they both love it. one in the 70's, other approaching 70. I thought it would a bit underpowered but it drives quite well. my Mum also has a VW UP for going the shops in and they use the Yeti for longer runs.

Mum won't even set foot onto a Skoda forecourt after the Fabia condensation. I've tried and its always met with stubborn refusal. Not worth me pushing it anymore with them so now looking elsewhere...

Nissan Leaf?

I know, I know, but it's actually very easy to use, and pretty decent for floor->seat height thanks to clever packaging.

[mosp]

Volvo v40 cross country

[juice]

What about a Rav4 - seems like it fits the criteria ?

[Mr2Mike]

JulietRomeo said:

A Skoda Yeti would be my choice for them however these are veto'ed by mum due to memories of battling with windscreen condensation build up on the 2003 Fabia (which the A class replaced).

Likely contenders are the Tiguan, Q3, X1... others please Kuga , Ecosport?

Surely your mum wouldn't go for the Ford Kuga since the Ford Cortina used to rust quite badly?

[hornetrider]

My old man had the same criteria - easy to get in and out of. He bought an Outlander.

[BuzzBravado]

I was thinking Rav4 too but then isn't that bordering on having to climb in due to its height? Old folk want something they can slide into without bending down or reaching up.

[JulietRomeo]

mosp said:

Volvo v40 cross country

looks promising thanks, will take a gander with them on weekend

[kiethton]

Nissan Juke/Quasqi

[JulietRomeo]

Mr2Mike said:

Surely your mum wouldn't go for the Ford Kuga since the Ford Cortina used to rust quite badly?

Well we did have a Cortina, and perhaps it did rust. But then she has fond memories of me frisbeeing the road tax disc out the window and her getting a subsequent fine. Plus there was the time I stuck a stone up my nose and the Cortina was rustled into action to get to A&E and served us all well. Then there is my private love affair with Granada's but that's for post-watershed posts only

[Deerfoot]

Your budget will get you a Kia Sportage.

It'll have the remainder of the 7 year warranty.

[JulietRomeo]

Thanks gents for input so far, any recommendations for West Midlands car supermarkets which would have the most of these cars in stock to quicken up the viewing process.

I live in London and an afternoon spent in cargiant in West London has served its purpose in a similar fashion when looking for cars for the mrs.

The V40 and Sportage options look good to me.