The Best Cars for Seniors
Read time
10 minutes
Date
05.26.2023
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There are over 56 million adults aged 65 and older living in the US and this number is expected to grow to more than 73.1 million by 2030. The aging population is a trend that hasn’t gone unnoticed by car manufacturers or dealerships, who are increasingly designing, making and marketing vehicles to this growing sector of the population.
Age in itself should not be an impediment to driving — within reason. So, if you’re entering your “golden years”, there are plenty of great options to choose from as cars for seniors become more plentiful and prominent in the car market — especially SUVs and sedans. But which are the best cars for seniors in 2023? Which models stack up best in terms of the key factors that seniors look for: safety, comfort, accessibility, visibility, leg space, trunk space, price?
What is a senior driver?
For this article, a “senior” is classified as aged 65 or over. Around 29 percent of drivers on US roads are classified as senior, meaning that car manufacturers who do not cater to this growing sector are missing out.
Many senior drivers are capable drivers but may suffer from neck or leg pain, vision issues, and other factors that make driving more challenging than for the average person. Car manufacturers know that many seniors have a high disposable income after a lifetime of work, so it’s no surprise that they’re increasingly adding safety and comfort features that address the concerns of drivers over 65.
The available technology means that many of the traditional drawbacks to driving as a senior can be alleviated — and the smartest models out there have already adopted many of these features as “standard”.
What’s the best car type for seniors: SUV or Sedan?
The main car types are SUVs, sedans, coupe, hatchbacks and sportscars. Generally speaking, the more space available in the driver/passenger area and trunks mean that SUVs and sedans are better suited to seniors than the smaller vehicle types.
Sedans are smaller than SUVs but are easier to maneuver and park. They may also be more affordable both in terms of the initial price tag and the running costs. However, they are lower to the ground, visibility may be poorer and there is generally less interior and cargo space.
SUVs sit higher than sedans so are easier to get in and out of. They offer excellent visibility and are spacious. They are also designed for easy driving outside of the city in more rugged terrain and all-weather condition and can usually carry large amounts of luggage. However, they may be more expensive to buy, own and run.
A third option for seniors is a “crossover” or compact SUV. These are more agile and fuel-efficient than full-size SUVs but still provide excellent roominess and visibility.
1. Cadillac XT6
The Cadilac XT6 is a midsize SUV and one of the best in the luxury class for seniors. The 2022 model was named a Top Safety Pick Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This Cadillac SUV features automatic transmission and many top-of-the-range safety features are standard, including keep assist with lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane change alert with side blind zone alert and collision alert.
It also includes a full comfort and air quality package, driver information center, automatic parking assist with braking, HD Surround Vision, a head-up display, rear camera mirror with washer and rear pedestrian alert. Its front bucket seats have eight-way power seat adjusters so that seniors can easily find the most comfortable position.
2. Honda CR-V (Hybrid)
The 2023 Honda CRV is not only one of the best cars for seniors to get in and out of (low step-in). It’s also named a Top Safety Pick Plus by the IIHS. That means it’s packed with safety features, such as a collision mitigation braking system, seatbelt reminders cross-traffic alerts and blind spot monitoring. Its elevated ride height and expansive windows are great for visibility, blind spot coverage and easy parking. It also has a low liftover for the trunk, which makes accessing the ample cargo space easier.
The seats and the steering wheel are adjustable for additional comfort and convenience and the automatic transmission is also a positive for seniors. The CRV’s extra safety and comfort features come at an affordable price and reasonable running costs(good fuel economy) — even more so with the hybrid model.
3. Mercedes Benz GLC
Mercedes Benz is a well-established name for safety, making it a great choice for seniors. However, it does come with the luxury brand status that adds a good few dollars to the buy price and cost of ownership. The Mercedes Benz GLC is another Top Safety Pick Plus (2022) by the IIHS so you can feel confident driving this 4-door automatic SUV as a senior.
It features assisted parking, blind spot assist, active brake assist with autonomous emergency braking, collision mitigation (front and rear), crosswind assist electronic stability control, side impact beams and more. While it’s considered a smaller SUV, the seating position is high enough for good visibility and it’s easily roomy enough to cope with taking the grandchildren out. The running costs are manageable.
4. Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks is classed as a 4-door hatchback but it looks and feels more like a compact SUV — and many people call it that — so we’re including it in this section as one of the best small SUVs for seniors. It’s priced more like a hatchback than an SUV — which is great news if you’re watching the dollars – and it comes with the added convenience of automatic transmission.
As well as a user-friendly infotainment system and a convenient tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, more advanced features like blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround-view camera are available options. A low-sloping hood, high seating position and large windows provide an unobstructed view of the road even for shorter, elderly drivers. The Kicks' six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way adjustable passenger seat make it ideal for senior couples looking for a safe, comfortable, convenient and affordable option.
5. Volkswagen ID.4 (EV)
The Volkswagen ID.4 is a midsize or compact 4-door SUV and the 2023 model is another of the Top Safety Pick Plus picks from the IIHS. Unlike the other best SUVs for seniors featured here, this is an electric vehicle designed for drivers looking to be a little kinder to the planet — as well as being very economical to run.
As with most EVs, you’ll pay extra upfront but the vehicle should pay for itself over the years of driving ahead. If you’re concerned about charging, it’s convenient by using any Electrify America DC fast-charging station. Seniors will love not only the safety features (front and rear radar, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, radar pedestrian audio warning system, etc.) but also its automatic parking system, ease and quietness of driving, and infotainment system with a large 12-inch display.
Sedans
Sedans offer a lower driving position, making it harder to find models that are suitable for elderly people. There is also less cargo space and windows may restrict visibility to a greater extent than SUVs. That said, there are still some good sedans for seniors who don’t mind the extra challenges of getting into and out of a lower vehicle.
6. Tesla Model 3
Tesla does make an SUV (the Model Y) but we’ve chosen the sedan model because it’s more affordable (closer to $40,000 than $55,000). The premium you pay for an EV may be acceptable for some seniors but it does place these vehicles in the luxury brand category. (Tesla overtook BMW as the best-selling luxury brand in the US in 2022).
The convenient automatic transmission of the Tesla 3 is backed by safety features that contribute to its status as another Top Safety Pick Plus pick from the IIHS. These features include blind spot monitoring, overtaking sensor with display and collision avoidance, a lane departure warning system that activates brakes, a pedestrian audio warning system and front cross-traffic alert radar and camera.
Being Tesla, you’d expect cutting-edge technology and the Model 3 doesn’t disappoint. Seniors will love the 15-inch infotainment display, adaptive cruise control, intelligent speed assistance and voice-activating system that includes audio player/phone and satellite navigation and AC.
7. Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that’s been on the market a long time —one of the best-sellers in its range and another of the Top Safety Pick Plus picks from the IIHS (for models built after January 2023). The model comes with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a hybrid engine system as options. Mostly, it’s renowned as a comfortable, fuel-efficient and spacious cruiser with plenty of leg space and luggage space.
This sedan has large doors for easy access and provides good visibility. The 8-way power-adjustable design driver’s seat comes as standard, with leather and heated/ventilated seats as optional extras. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with system controls is also a standard feature.
What features should seniors look for in a car?
Features that a senior driver looks for can generally be put into these four categories:
- Safety
- Visibility
- Comfort/convenience
- Affordability
But we need to get into the nitty-gritty details when choosing a car. So, what are the specific features that senior drivers should be on the lookout for when comparing and contrasting different makes and models?
1. Safety
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 67 percent of all senior drivers are involved in an accident. Furthermore, almost 7,500 senior drivers were killed on the roads in 2020 alone. It’s no wonder, then, that safety is a primary concern when considering cars to buy, rent or lease.
Safety features and driver-assist technology are major components of new technology in cars. Some of the features to be on the lookout for include:
Lane keep assist with lane departure warning - Uses a forward-looking camera mounted behind the vehicle's windshield, in front of the inside rearview mirror, keeping you in lane when moving forward.
Automatic emergency braking system - Identifies when a possible collision is about to occur, automatically activating the brakes to slow a vehicle before impact or bring it to a stop to avoid a collision.
Lane change alert with side blind zone alert - Uses hidden radar sensors in the rear corners of your vehicle to detect moving vehicles located behind the side mirror in the next lane over.
Forward collision alert - Uses a forward-looking camera/radar sensors to look directly ahead when the vehicle is moving forward. If a vehicle ahead is detected, an icon will be displayed to alert you.
A smart rearview mirror - A mirror that accesses a rear camera to aid driving at night or in bad weather (a very useful safety accessory for seniors).
Blind spot warning system - This detects vehicles in the blind spot while driving and notifies the driver. That’s great for all drivers, not just seniors.
2. Visibility
Visibility is a major element of safety and comfort. If you improve the visibility in a car, you will likely also improve the safety and comfort levels. Features that can do this include:
Large windscreen and windows - To minimize the blind spots, which can be a great help for seniors who have difficulty with glancing over their shoulders or in mirrors.
Head-up display - This keeps everything in view without having to strain to see.
Adjustable seats - Seats that allow full visibility out of the windscreen and comfort while driving are a must. This usually means adjustable seat height, distance from the steering wheel, and seat-back recline.
3. Comfort and convenience
Comfort for senior drivers is partly about addressing the difficulties when getting into and out of the vehicle but also the in-car driving experience. Many smart features address both concerns in the best cars for elderly people:
Low step-in - A running board or low step-in can ease the process of getting in and out of the vehicle for elderly drivers.
Grab handles - Handles inside the top of the door opening can also assist seniors with entry to and exit from the vehicle.
Vehicle lowering - Some high-tech cars have automatic air suspensions that automatically lower or raise the car for access.
Leather seats - If you need to back up to a vehicle, sit down sideways and then slide in. Leather seats may work better than fabric.
Leg space - Adequate leg space is essential for seniors and is a basic requirement of any recommended senior car.
Trunk space - Having adequate space in the trunk for walking aids, trips to see the grandchildren or vacations is another important consideration for seniors.
Automatic transmission - An extra convenience that will suit most seniors.
Power liftgate/trunk lid - Pressing a button makes it much easier and more convenient to open the trunk.
Tilt and telescoping steering wheel - Seniors can adjust the steering wheel according to their specific height and reach.
Steering wheel-mounted controls - Audio, smartphone, AC, wipers, and cruise-control systems can be mounted on the steering wheel, meaning fewer uncomfortable (and dangerous) stretches to reach the controls.
Automated wipers and headlights - Rain-sensing wipers and automatic on/off headlights mean fewer controls for elderly drivers to reach for.
4. Affordability
Some seniors may be well-off enough from a lifetime of work to consider the luxury car brands with the most modern features designed for older drivers. Others may have to watch the dollars as they no longer have a regular income.
For this latter group, it becomes even more important to calculate not only the initial costs of the down payment or loan/lease repayments but the total cost of buying a car and also the ongoing running costs (fuel, maintenance/repairs, taxes, insurance).
Because of the high volume of accidents involving seniors, insurance can be especially expensive. The average cost of a full-coverage car insurance policy for a 55-year-old is $1,514 per year. A 75-year-old driver will pay an average of $1,886 — about 20 percent more.
Final thoughts
The best retirement cars address the safety, comfort, space, visibility and affordability issues that are uppermost in seniors’ minds when considering what to buy. As you’ve seen, many leading manufacturers offer plenty for senior drivers in their latest models. Safety features like lane departure warning systems, collision alerts and automatic braking are now standard on some of the leading models, while high sitting positions, adjustable seats for extra legroom, automatic trunk lids and other smart features solve many of the traditional challenges of driving a car in later years.
These best cars for seniors should help you narrow your choice down but there may be another option you haven’t yet considered. Rather than buying the car outright or auto/leasing it, have you considered a car subscription?
Subscriptions save you the hassles of choosing and owning a car. For one all-inclusive fee per month, the registration, insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance are taken care of.
A FINN car subscription is a fast, low-risk and convenient option that offers plenty of choices for seniors. There’s no down payment or long-term commitment necessary and the car can be delivered directly to your doorstep.