At every age in life, drivers consider different components when looking for a new car. That is certainly the case for older drivers. Most in this demographic put a greater emphasis on factors such as visibility, safety features, easy-to-use systems and how comfortable it is to get in and out of the car. Or maybe, if they have recently retired, they decided it is time to finally splurge and get behind the wheel of their dream car. Whatever the situation, these are a few of the best cars for older drivers.
For The Practical Driver
MSRP: $25,895
MPG: 26 city / 33 highway
Crash Test: 5 stars
The Subaru Forester makes getting behind the wheel a cinch for older drivers – literally. Large doors and elevated seating allow for easy entrance and exit to and from the car. Once set to drive, the chair-like seating position coupled with big windows and thin pillars supply excellent driver visibility. The Forester’s climate and infotainment systems are straightforward and easy to use.
The Forester comes with a five-star crash test rating. Even better, Subaru has worked to significantly cut down on crashes thanks to EyeSight, the manufacturer’s driver assist technology. EyeSight works by equipping the car with dual color cameras near the rearview mirror. These cameras can monitor traffic movement, optimize cruise control and warn drivers if they sway outside the lane. EyeSight has been found to reduce rear-end crashes with injuries by up to 85%.
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MSRP: $29,590
MPG: 24 city / 29 highway
Crash Test: 4 stars
With your nine-to-five days behind them, retirees have much more free time – and much more free time to travel. Whether visiting the grandkids or checking off a destination on their bucket list, retirees need the right car for all their future adventures.
The Kia Sorento is a midsized SUV with all the prerequisites needed for older drivers: comfortable seating, simple controls and available safety technology. What makes it perfect for long trips is the large, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, ample storage space and, most importantly, above-average highway gas mileage for a SUV. Check out our list of the most fuel-efficient cars.
Also, the Sorrento’s third row of seating can be folded down if you need more storage space or up to hold passengers, in case they do happen to visit the grandchildren.
For The Frugal Consumer
MSRP: $15,380
MPG: 32 city / 40 highway
Crash Test: 5 stars
The Versa was completely redesigned for 2021 (goodbye manually operated crank windows!) The makeover gave the subcompact sedan more legroom than one would expect, up to 15 cubic space of cargo room and a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
Safety is addressed with the Nissan Safety Shield® 360, a package of features including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beams. The entry-level Versa S sedan retains Bluetooth functionality, but lacks the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration you can find in higher trims.
But above all, what makes the Nissan Versa one of the best cars for older drivers — or any driver? The price. With a base price of under $15,000, you will be hard-pressed to find a better value.
Want to see more inexpensive cars? Here’s our list of the cheapest new cars of 2022.
For The Dreamer
MSRP: $32,705
MPG: 20 city / 28 highway
Crash Test: N/A
Those recent retirees who waited to reach social security’s full benefit age (66) most likely started their driving career in the 1960s or early 70s. This era in automotive history was marked by the rise of muscle cars and there was no such car more popular than the Ford Mustang. Assuredly, many current retirees dreamed of getting behind the wheel of a Mustang. And if they weren’t able to then, now is the time. Finding a vintage Mustang may be challenging. Fortunately, the model is still going strong. In fact, it’s nearing its 60th anniversary.
While there are several model types to choose from, you can’t go wrong with a convertible. The Mustang Convertible EcoBoost models delivers 310 horsepower and gets 20/28 miles per gallon. And the powerful car still has a five-star safety rating thanks to features such as a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert. The Mustang also comes standard with modern amenities like LED headlamps and lighting, active noise cancelation, six-speaker sound system, and leather wrapped steering wheel.
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137 Thoughts on “Great Cars for Older Drivers and Retirees”
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Just take a breath and drive what you want. It’s your life.
I am an older driver and own a Jeep Cherokee and I love it. I don’t believe in limits according to age. If one has health problems then one needs to find ways to adjust for the limitations at any age. Electric cars will bring more pollution in the future with the use of batteries.
The Subaru Forester is a fine car but I’d like to see a little pep added to the package. Subaru used to offer its cars as either front wheel drive or all wheel drive. I don’t need all wheel drive. With a front wheel drive offering, you eliminate some weight and mechanical complexity (and things to go wrong). Weight savings and hybrids boost gas mileage. But I would never want an electric car. Life is too short for seniors to wait around for the thing to recharge. Note: I still miss riding around in my friend’s 1966 Corvette coupe. It had all the power you would ever need (as did my 1971 650 cc Triumph motorcycle).
Would you recommend a Toyota RAV 4 ? For seniors
With arthritis, I am concerned with getting in and out of SUV’s. I am interested to hear what the Senior community thinks about that.
I got a Forester in 2019 BECAUSE of arthritis. Getting in and out of a low to the ground car was very difficult on long trips. I would stiffen up and find it very hard to get out and walk. The higher, more upright position made it much easier. The trade off was the luxurious feel of my compact Acura to the more Spartan feel of the Forester. But, hands down, a good choice for me. The Mid size Acura SUV was a turbo in 2019 and I found it to be noisy.
I just heard the Toyota Avalon is gone after 2022, this is a BIG mistake, most Seniors do not want some Stupid Useless Vehicle (SUV) they are TOO Big, use TOO much gas & WE have no reason to have one unless you are a Hasidim with 7-8 kids. “I” want a BIG comfortable car as in the Avalon but NOT that STUPID CARNIVORE GRILL
A very safe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for seniors to consider is the 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring PHEV compact SUV. This vehicle has incredible safety technology, luxurious comfort, high MPG, and really good looks. I’m expecting delivery in late September from theLincoln Louisville Kentucky Assembly Plant. I looked at the Toyota RAV4 PHEV, the Ford Escape PHEV, the Audi and BMW PHEVs which are all about the same size as the Corsair but none matched up in lux, tech or comfort. Buy made in America in any case.
So glad you included a convertible! (Though Mustang wouldn’t be my first choice.)
But why assume people are buying brand new cars? I imagine a lot of seniors have come by the wisdom of buying used cars.
What? No Hellcat?
We’re playing our endgame here so why skimp on power.
It comes with a power seat so ec will like it.
65 West 4th Street
This article was helpful. The electric vehicles will get better and better. I agree about the Toyota RAV4 being a good car to be considered. Where I live, AWD is very important. We are all going to need to change and adapt given climate realities. Our children and grandchildren will need a planet to live on.
A practical car for seniors is any plug in hybrid that suits you. I charge my Toyota Prius Prime from an ordinary wall outlet. It is rated to go 25 miles on a full charge, and it does in the worst winter weather. When temperatures are milder I get up to 38 miles on a charge, which last me 2 days of local driving. If I go farther, the gas engine kicks in for a total range of 640 miles. I have owned my used Prius pPrime for 10 months and only added $22. of gas. AND My municipal electric company offers up to $10 a month refund for charging during off-peak hours, easily accomplished by programming charging times on the car’s touchscreen.
I’m 78, been retired for 6 years. The first car I purchased in 2015 was the Toyota Highlander. Needed the 3-row seating for the grandsons. I’m now ready to purchase my next car, it will be a plug-in electric. Right now, I’m really interested in the new Ford F-150 Lighting.
I’m 78, been retired for 6 years. The first car I purchased in 2015 was the Toyota Highlander. Needed the 3-row seating for the grandsons. I’m now ready to purchase my next car, it will be a plug-in electric. Right now, I’m really interested in the new Ford F-150 Lighting.
I highly recommend the mustang. You are never too old to have fun. My daily driver is a Shelby 500 mustang. My first new car was a 66 mustang fastback.Both the forester and sore to are very comfortable and great and comfortable on long trips.The versa is a joke.It is very uncomfortable if you are over200 lbs and accelerates dangerously slow.
I am looking for a used car, but the extended warranty is a most. I used to lease cars, but prices are getting out of hand. I don’t need a car in need of repairs all the time. May be you got me confused with someone else. This is the first time I responded to you.
I am looking for a used car, but the extended warranty is a most. I used to lease cars, but prices are getting out of hand. I don’t need a car in need of repairs all the time.
After much research (and driving Volvos for decades) I now drive a Model Y (Tesla)
Economy, safety and performance are unparalleled.
No tune-ups, oil changes etc
No emissions….(and I remind skeptics that mining is not the same threat as greenhouse gas emissions).
It is easy to drive, charging is not an issue, and it is comfortable (and holds our two dogs).
It continues to amaze me that no deep investigation has ever been done in the clearly higher number of ‘rollover’ accidents with SUV’s versus sedans.
The Forrester has the Boxer Engine that sits lower on the chassis and stabilizes it, even though it’s higher off the ground than a sedan. One reason I own one.
I was shopping for a Fit a few years ago and found a smoking deal on a Prius C so bought that instead. It’s awesome – I average 54 mpg. I get even better mpgs depending on conditions.