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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what's the easiest car to drive (collision avoidance features, etc)

89 replies

NotJustACigar · 16/06/2021 15:52

Im looking for a car that has a good set of safety features that make it easy to drive. For example I find it quite difficult to judge the space around my car sometimes and when I drive through my neighbourhood there are a lot of cars that are parked halfway onto the pavement that I need to weave around. What safety features help with this?

Also looking for lane assistance, collision avoidance, 360 camera, parking assistance etc. And I would also prefer a hybrid. I've been digging around on car maker's websites and find the options and information quite confusing. So AIBU to ask for advice and information please. Do you have a car you love with features such as these? Thank you.

OP posts:
LushHeaven · 16/06/2021 19:56

My qashqai has those features. I think most newer cars that are top of their range have these features.

TheRealMrsMorningstar · 16/06/2021 20:12

@Puffthemagicdragongoestobed

I find cars in which you sit slightly higher and that have a shorter front quite good in terms of visibility. For example have a look at the Citroen Picasso. No idea if it has all the fancy safety features you are after, but I could imagine it's brilliant for going camping with its big boot.
I have a citreon picasso(grand) and struggle with the front- I.cant see the end of it so am always worried about clipping something by getting to close (when parking). It has rear sensors which are a godsend but would love front sensors to! (My car is 10 years old though newer models may have more features).
Briarshollow · 16/06/2021 20:22

@NotJustACigar

Again, car recommendations only please, insults are not needed thanks.
Alright, bossy boots. You know you’re in AIBU.

As you wish…

Mclaren GT. It’s comfortable and you won’t need to worry about collision avoidance because you’ll want to drive so slowly so people can see you. Also it’s a snip at £165,000.

Sparrowsong · 16/06/2021 20:26

@NotJustACigar

I was thinking of the Volvo XC40, Crocky. A Tesla would be fun but not that practical I don't think with a dog, camping equipment, etc. Interesting about the square shape and visibility, BloodyStupidJohnson!
We have a tesla model s with two dogs and lots of luggage. It has more room than a volvo estate! A front boot, a rear boot and a second level at the back we call the underboot.
delilahbucket · 16/06/2021 20:36

Our Ford Focus comes with all of those features as optional extras. I wouldn't say half of them make driving any easier. The automatic handbrake is brilliant but beyond that, I find the other things an annoyance. Lane assist goes mad if you have to drive around parked cars and cross the line, crash alerts go off at the slightest thing and if you don't turn them off they take over your driving (ours once went off as I went under a bridge and slammed the brakes on for absolutely no reason). DP likes the auto cruise control on longer journeys. We don't have a camera but could have had. The sensors are sufficient for easy parking and manoeuvres, including driving through closely parked cars. The wing mirrors took in for particularly tight spots too.

CaptainThe95thRifles · 16/06/2021 20:51

I'm just disappointed that @BloodyStupidJohnson isn't suggesting wildly inappropriate cars that would be better purposed as MRI scanners or submarines...

PrivateParty · 16/06/2021 21:49

@Bumpsadaisie

My bmw i3 is really good.

Parking sensors

Brakes when you remove foot from accelerator

Active cruise control so it keeps your safe distance from car in front.

It brakes if you're not pressing the accelerator? That sounds... Not good!
Arrierttyclock · 16/06/2021 22:03

My Honda beeps if I get to close to anything and if I am drifting into another lane it beeps then too

Arrierttyclock · 16/06/2021 22:05

I also have a BMW 3 series and its the best I've found for parking assistance and if selfs parks. Ifs got like 5 cameras, birds eye view etc

NutNutmum · 16/06/2021 22:05

HI Op
if you are looking for the best cars with parking features you should look at the toyota range of cars. They are no1 for saftey features as standard.

Virtually all models now also come with parking assist, where by the vehicle will use its semi autonomy to parallel or reverse park for you and also get its self out. All you have to do is drive the car forwards or backwards when prompted and the car takes care of all the steering. See video link I attached.

They also have a multitude of sensors, front rear and and reversing cameras and will also stop the vehicle for you if you are about to hit another parked car.

JellyBabiesFan · 16/06/2021 22:07

Probably the bus or a bumper car.

AlwaysLatte · 16/06/2021 22:16

My all electric MG ZS has loads of features like that, most of which I've turned off! There are warnings if you wander over the lines in the road, and for approaching a slow/non moving car too quickly, also it will put the brakes on. Plus lights in the wing mirrors that come on when someone is over/undertaking you.

GreenSalon · 16/06/2021 22:19

My Toyota Rav 4 hybrid has all of those features and we love it.

NutNutmum · 16/06/2021 22:27

Also ment to add Op,

If you want a decent hybrid with all the saftey features look at the Toyota Yaris Icon /Icon Tech models or slightly larger and more expensive Corolla Icon /Icon Tech hybrid models.

Mine has lane assist, Parking assist. Front and rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, drive assist where it keeps you from wandering over the lines with a gentle steering assist, speed sign recognition. Braking assist, automatic braking, radar assisted cruise control (where you set you speed and will keep the correct distance from the car in front, and if the car in front brakes it will slow or stop your vehicle automatically and speed up when they speed up, it will also adjust your speed and auto stop if some one cuts you up).

They also come with one of the highest NCAP safety ratings of all cars and constantly in the top 3 for most reliable cars every year.

Best thing is also Toyota has now released its 10 year relax guarantee for all Toyota cars, old and new as long as they have less than 100,000 miles and you have 1 official service every year.

P0stp0ned001 · 16/06/2021 22:44

Daimler ferret

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 17/06/2021 07:07

Without a doubt, a Volvo.

bouncydog · 22/06/2021 06:29

Toyota RAV4 - especially now the warranty is 10 years with 15 on the battery in the hybrid! At the end of the day depends on your budget!

brittleheadgirl · 22/06/2021 06:44

@NotJustACigar

Again, car recommendations only please, insults are not needed thanks.
You do know this is Mumsnet? You don't get to choose to receive only replies that you like, ffs.

You sound dangerous, it's fair enough that many on here don't want you on the road and are suggesting this as a solution!!

Original poster
NotJustACigar · 22/06/2021 06:50

Have you read the thread @brittleheadgirl? Considering I've been driving for nearly 30 years and the worst I've ever done was clip someone's wing mirror I hardly think I'm a menace to the roads! There is something deeply insecure and sad about people who feel the need to come o to threads like this and insult people. And I can only assume jealousy comes into it as well. You must have a very sad life and I can only pity you for it.

Thanks bouncydog I will look into the Rav4 - I think it's between Volvo and Toyota at this point. I really do appreciate all the helpful responses I've received.

OP posts:
brittleheadgirl · 22/06/2021 07:06

@NotJustACigar

Have you read the thread *@brittleheadgirl*? Considering I've been driving for nearly 30 years and the worst I've ever done was clip someone's wing mirror I hardly think I'm a menace to the roads! There is something deeply insecure and sad about people who feel the need to come o to threads like this and insult people. And I can only assume jealousy comes into it as well. You must have a very sad life and I can only pity you for it.

Thanks bouncydog I will look into the Rav4 - I think it's between Volvo and Toyota at this point. I really do appreciate all the helpful responses I've received.

Jealousy GrinGrin
Original poster
NotJustACigar · 22/06/2021 07:07

Brilliant comeback 👏

OP posts:
LactoseTheIntolerant · 22/06/2021 07:15

I was going to say volvo too. I've got an xc60 and it is very safe it's a bit of a nag tbh 😂

newnortherner111 · 22/06/2021 07:17

Whilst OP you may have been driving for 30 years with nothing more than clip a wing mirror, if you need to ask the question you have asked, perhaps you should be considering a smaller car than you have driven so far, or not driving at all. If your health has worsened, physical or mental, there is no shame in stopping driving.

Imapotato · 22/06/2021 07:27

If I were nervous about manoeuvring my car I wouldn’t go for a big vehicle with loads of sensors, I’d go for something tiny that fits easily through small gaps.

In recent years I’ve had a VW up and a Hyundai i10. I’m not a nervous driver, but need to park in small spaces and frankly don’t want to fuel a thirsty car. Neither was a hybrid, neither had loads of sensors, both were super easy to drive and park.

Treacletoots · 22/06/2021 07:28

We've got a Tesla and a Renault Zoe. Both have all of those features.

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