10 best cars for seniors

Safe, reliable and comfortable vehicles for older drivers with different budgets

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Susan Meyer

Senior Editorial Manager

Susan is a licensed insurance agent and has worked as a writer and editor for over 10 years across a number of industries. She has worked at The Zebr…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

Ross h…

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  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
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As you age, what you value in a vehicle may change. Obviously everyone is different, but older drivers often prioritize comfort, safety and ease of use when choosing a car. 

The best cars for seniors typically offer features like spacious interiors with easily adjustable seats, advanced safety systems such as blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking and user-friendly controls. 

Additionally, you may prioritize a vehicle with smooth rides and good visibility, as well as those with higher seating positions for easier entry and exit. Reliable brands with good customer service and maintenance options can also be important considerations for older drivers.

With these criteria in mind, here are some of our top rides for seniors, arranged from least to most expensive. 

Note: We consulted NHTSA[1] and IIHS[2] for safety ratings, FuelEconomy.gov[3] for fuel numbers and Car and Driver[4] for feature details.

1. Kia Soul

Most affordable on our list, the Kia Soul combines many of the advantages of other SUVs on the market with its upright seating position offering good visibility and easy entry. It has a lofted cabin, which can make it feel roomier without making it more difficult to step up for entry. It’s a great budget option, making it a good choice for drivers on a fixed income. Despite that, it does come standard with many driver-assist features like emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and driver-attention monitoring. 

Soul by the numbers

MSRP: $20,190

Fuel economy: 29 city/ 35 highway

Insurance: $20 to $81 per month

2. Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry consistently ranks highly as a midsize car for families, but it can also be a great choice for older drivers. Why? It’s infotainment and tech features are uncomplicated, with clearly legible graphics giving access to the most important features. It also has great driver assistance features like lane-assist, surround-view camera and blind-spot monitoring. It gets good gas mileage, is easy to maneuver and is known for its reliability. However, as a sedan, it is obviously lower to the ground than an SUV which may make it harder to get in and out of for some drivers.

Camry by the numbers

MSRP: $26,420

Fuel economy: 28 city/39 highway

Insurance: $11 to $95 per month

3. Subaru Forester

SUVs like the Subaru Forester are often preferred by senior drivers because they’re higher up on the road, which offers better visibility and also makes the vehicle easier to get in and out of. The Subaru offers a comfortable ride and at a relatively low price point for an SUV. It has a lot of standard safety features, reliable safety ratings and all-wheel drive if you live in a snowy or icy area. It has blind-spot monitoring, steering assist and other standard driver assist features.

Forester by the numbers

MSRP: $27,095

Fuel economy: 26 city/ 33 highway

Insurance: $9 to $74 per month

4. Hyundai Tucson

Another compact SUV, the Hyundai Tucson offers the ease of entry and sightlines of an SUV without providing more car than you need. The Tucson offers more cargo room than similar SUVs in its class, which can be handy if you’re using retirement to hit the open road. It offers a comfortable ride, above average gas mileage and supportive seats. It also comes standard with driver assist features including blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

Tucson by the numbers

MSRP: $27,500

Fuel economy: 25 city / 32 Highway

Insurance: $20 to $79 per month

5. Honda Accord

Another strong option if you’re looking for a midsize sedan to jet around town, the Honda Accord offers a lot for seniors in terms of safety features, comfortable interior and reliability. It has some fun tech features like setting temperature through voice commands so you can focus on driving without fiddling with the AC. It includes driver assist features like lane-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control. The gas mileage is excellent. Also, its wider doors make it easy to get in and out of. 

Accord by the numbers

MSRP: $27,895

Fuel economy: 29 city/37 highway

Insurance: $11 to $88 per month

6. Honda CR-V

If you want the advantages of an SUV (higher clearance for easier in and out and better road viewing), but don’t want to lug around a big vehicle, a smaller SUV like the Honda CR-V might be a great choice. It is a top safety pick and includes features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and steering assist. It also has a lower cargo floor for easy loading.

CR-V by the numbers

MSRP: $29,500

Fuel economy: 28 city / 34 highway

Insurance: $10 to $81 per month

7. Acura Integra

The Acura Integra stands out as a top choice among small, lower-cost luxury cars, offering impressive value at a lower cost than many competitors. The Integra boasts spacious accommodations, comfortable seats and agile handling. Older drivers who are less tech-savvy will appreciate its user-friendly infotainment system. The Integra also comes with a comprehensive list of standard driver aids, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection.

Integra by the numbers

MSRP: $31,800

Fuel economy: 26 city/ 33 highway

Insurance: $15 - $80

8. Toyota Highlander Hybrid

If you need a lot of space for carting around grandkids or your bridge club, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid might be a good choice. This three-row SUV can seat up to eight passengers comfortably, and it’s easy to see out of. Considering its size, it gets great gas mileage, and also has top safety ratings. It comes standard with driver assist features like blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.

Highlander Hybrid by the numbers

MSRP: $40,970

Fuel economy: 36 city / 35 Highway

Insurance: $128 to $390 per month

9. Lexus RX

If you have a looser budget, the Lexus RX offers a luxurious ride and intuitive technology. The vehicle is a two-row, five-seat SUV with a modern interior, and it’s roomy, comfortable and easy to get in and out of. It comes standard with a number of driver assist features like automatic braking, lane-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control. It doesn’t have particularly great gas mileage, but it has high ratings for safety and reliability.

RX by the numbers

MSRP: $49,950

Fuel economy: 25 city / 28 highway

Insurance: $128 to $379 per month

10. Hyundai Ioniq 5

If you’re open to an electric car, the Hyundai Ioniq is a convenient choice. You can install a charging port in your garage and not have to deal with gas stations anymore. The vehicle is wide, and the entries provide good clearance, so it’s accessible to get in and out of. A suite of driver assistance features is standard on every model including emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-assist keeping.

Ioniq 5 by the numbers

MSRP: $67,475

EPA range: 221 miles

Insurance: $92 to $148 per month

Wrapping up

Choosing the right car for you is a difficult decision at any age. Make sure you do your research so find the right vehicle that will comfortably serve you for many years to come. And remember, once you’ve found your perfect match, it’s just as important to choose the right insurance. The Zebra can help you compare rates and find coverage that fits your needs, ensuring peace of mind on the road.

 
Sources
  1. Safety ratings. [NHTSA]

  2. Top safety picks. [IIHS]

  3. Power search. [FuelEconomy.gov]

  4. Car and Driver Car Research. [Car and Driver]