Automobiles are one of the most often utilized modes of transportation in the modern-day, and seniors, in particular, need them. Fortunately, car manufacturers have developed vehicles to accommodate elders and make their journeys easier.
Seniors often look for a car that has more leg, head, and elbow room, a suspension that keeps them comfortable on rough roads, an exterior that looks attractive while also keeping them safe in harsh weather, and some necessary driver assistance features.
Fortunately, the car manufacturer I am going to discuss is a known luxury car brand, BMW whose cars are futuristic, stylish, safe, and premium. If you are a senior looking for the best BMWs for you. Then, you are at the right place. The BMWs I have shortlisted for seniors include BMW 5 Series, BMW X5, And BMW X1.
Let’s review each of them.
1. BMW 5-Series
BMW 5 Series is said to be the sign of elegance, dynamic engineering, and leisure in an executive sedan. It is the best mid-size sedan with a comfortable interior containing heated and ventilated adjustable seats, wide-open doors for easy entrance and sit-in, and the largest trunk in this class. It has the best all-around visibility as well. Advanced driver-assistance technology makes it safe and easy to drive for seniors.
Interior Details:
One of the best SUVs for seniors is BMW 5-Series. The BMW 5 Series has a starting price of $55,200. The 5 series has a low-belted sporty seating position with a penalty of room inside that helps seniors easily get in and out of the car. The seating position is excellent, and the seats are soft yet supportive. Moreover, in the front row, you will find legroom of 41.4 inches and headroom of 38.8 inches. The front seats are 20-way adjustable for extra comfort; they allow the driver to move his legs to any preferred dimension, and the back seats also have good room for adults.
Also read: 3 Best Mercedes-Benz for Seniors (with Pictures)
Engine and Performance:
530i model in BMW 5 Series has a four-cylinder engine and 540i has a cylinder engine. The premium variant 550i has a turbocharged engine that can give a power output of about 523 HP. 530i and 540i are almost equal in terms of fuel economy. They can give you 25 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. The V8 Premium engine in 550i offers about 17 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
Safety Features:
Series 5 offers amazing safety features that ensure the safety of its passengers. The automobile was awarded a 5-star rating in a crash test by the experts of NCAP; it was marked 91% safe for adults. You will find airbags in the front, rear, and side of the car.
The safety and driver assistance features in BMW Series 5 cars include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Crash Sensor, electronic vehicle immobilizer, Side Impact Protection, and Active headrests.
Infotainment System:
BMW 5 Series comes with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system paired with a 12.3-inch touch display. The touch screen can be controlled using the knob, touchpad on the console, or using voice commands. The system is user-friendly and commands can be given by gestures, such as volume control by a twirl of fingers. A 16-speaker stereo system has also been added. The other notable functions are a heads-up display, a wireless phone charging facility, and an entertainment system that adds TV functionality for rear seats through screens in headsets.
Maintenance and Repairs:
As per CarEdge, the BMW 5 Series will incur maintenance and repair costs of approximately $13,530 during the first ten years of ownership.
2. BMW X5
The second car on our list is a luxury SUV, BMW X5. It is simply a blend of luxury and power that you can trust.
Interior:
The BMW X5 starts at $61,500. With power steering and power windows, X5 has leather-covered seats interior that gives a luxurious look with full comfort. The driver’s seat is 18-way electrically adjustable, the other front seat is 14 way electrical adjustable, and the rear seats are 2-ways adjustable.
In addition, you will find the leather-wrapped Steering wheel, driver arm- and head-rests; perfectly suitable for a comfortable ride that seniors want. With a 72.3 cubic feet cargo capacity, X5 allows you to carry enough luggage. Its standard panoramic Moon roof makes you feel more space inside with a better exterior view. The front headroom is 41.9 inches and the legroom is 40.4 inches. Adults will find ample space in the first and second rows, but the X5’s optional third row is exclusively for children.
Performance and Engine:
X5 possesses a six-cylinder inline 2998cc DOHC B58 Turbocharged I6 Engine with a power output of 335 HP. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission system; an ideal start/stop function with regenerative braking. Its strong engine makes this SUV capable of running on and off-road. While riding this car you feel that age is just a number, you can travel on plain roads to sloppy mountainous tracks. Its strong engine is also fuel economical. It gives you 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city.
Also read: Are BMW X5 Parts Expensive? (The Full List & Prices)
Safety Features:
The X5 contains safety features that ensure the safety of drivers as well as passengers. The over-speed warning alerts the driver at speed of 80 kph with a beep and if the limit reaches 120 kph, a continuous beep warns drivers to control their speed. In addition, it has six airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), and a speed-sensing door lock. They help the driver to stay safe in case of any emergency crash.
More safety and driver assistance features in BMW like Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Light Flashing, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Child Seat Anchor Points, Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TC/TCS), Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control make this luxury the safest choice.
Infotainment System:
X5 comes with a twin 12.3-inch display that runs BMW’s iDrive software. And as mentioned earlier, this software interface is user-friendly and can be controlled by various methods; by the knob, gesture controls, and voice commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Support are also there. All in all, a good and easy to control interface for seniors.
Maintenance and Repairs:
The maintenance and repairs of the BMW X5 will cost you about $18,389 in the first 10 years of service.
3. BMW X1
The BMW X1 is a compact, sporty SUV that is fun to drive and is more practical.
Interior:
The base variant of X1 costs around $36,395. Its interior is well-decorated, with the majority of the materials being high-quality. The instrument cluster, which is oriented toward the driver, is businesslike in appearance and easy to read at a glance. The vehicle’s driving position is excellent.
This BMW has 27.1 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 58.7 cubic feet of space behind the front seats, which are both excellent figures for a small luxury SUV of this size. X1 has seating for up to five passengers. Both rows of seats are extremely comfortable. The headroom in the front is 41.9 inches, and the legroom is 40.4 inches in the back.
Also read: 3 Best Lexus for Seniors (with Pictures)
Safety Features:
The NHTSA has given BMW X1 a five-star safety rating due to its exceptional safety and driver assistance features. The notable driver assistance features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, rearview camera, and automatic high-beam headlights. To protect passengers from an accidental collision, 6 airbags have been added to BMW X1.
Performance and Engine:
X1 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 228 HP and 258 pound-feet of torque; the most powerful in its class. A standard feature is an automatic transmission with eight gears. It is capable of making smooth and prompt shifts. When equipped with front-wheel drive, this luxury SUV achieves an estimated 24 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, which is excellent for the luxury subcompact SUV segment.
Infotainment System:
X1 is equipped with BMW’s flagship system, iDrive with an 8.8-inch touch display. This system offers you Bluetooth, satellite radio, a USB port, and a 7-speaker audio system. You would get Apple Car Play, but Android Auto isn’t supported.
Maintenance and Repairs:
You may spend $17, 516 in maintenance and repairs of X1, during the first 10 years of service.
Summary
I have individually reviewed each car. Now, let’s see a comparative review of all three BMW cars for seniors.
| BMW 5 Series | BMW X5 | BMW X1 | |
| Car Type | Luxury Sedan | SUV | Mid-size SUV |
| Cost (Starting @) | $55,200 | $61,500 | $36,395 |
| Leg-room (front row) | 41.4 inches | 40.4 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Head-room (front row) | 38.8 inches | 41.4 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Fuel Mileage (City/highway) | 25/32 mpg | 22/28 mpg | 24/33 |
The above specification and details suggest that all 3 BMWs are perfectly suitable for seniors. You can go with a sedan of BMW 5 Series or an SUV, X5 or X1, whatever is cost-effective for you.
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