As drivers age, their preferences shift toward comfort and ease of access rather than sporty performance when choosing automobiles. The best SUVs for seniors guarantee more comfort than other vehicles, especially those with cramped cabins. Moreover, fuel efficiency is a crucial deciding factor for seniors on a fixed income, as it helps reduce their monthly expenses. Additionally, seniors will benefit from a host of driver-assist features since they prioritize safety in their SUVs.
Top SUVs for seniors
Choosing the right SUV for seniors is crucial for ensuring comfort, accessibility, and safety on the road. Based on these key senior-friendly features, there are a few SUVs seniors can consider.
1. Volkswagen Taos
It is a subcompact SUV, ideal for seniors due to its roomy interior and easy access. All Taos models come equipped with Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive suite of driver-assist features, which include:
- Lane-keeping and centering
- Automatic emergency braking
- Emergency assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot intervention with rear cross-traffic warning
- Blind-spot warning
It is important to note that blind-spot intervention with rear cross-traffic warning and blind-spot warning are usually not standard in most SUVs. In the top SEL trim, Taos adds adaptive headlights and parking sensors. Despite being a compact SUV, it has one of the roomiest interiors compared to competitors in the segment. Further, its wide door openings make getting in and out of the car easy.
The windows are also large and ensure excellent outward visibility. The controls are well laid out and easily accessible for drivers, including seniors. Unlike the other Volkswagen cars, Taos does not have many touch-sensitive buttons. In contrast, it has physical knobs and buttons that are easy to use. Its price starts at $25,420.
2. Honda CR-V
One of the top-selling compact crossover SUVs, the Honda CR-V is known for its responsive handling, making it ideal for seniors. The automobile has adequate headroom in the front seat that effortlessly accommodates tall drivers. Further, the SUV facilitates easy entry through its wide door apertures. At 34 mpg on highways and 28 mpg on city roads, the vehicle offers decent fuel efficiency. The Honda CR-V also comes with a roomy cabin, ample cargo space, and places for stacking phones and cups. The top safety features of the vehicle, which makes it an excellent choice for seniors, include:
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Cross-traffic monitor
- Brake assist
- Electronic brake distribution (EBD)
The vehicle is available at a starting price of $31,450.
3. Kia Soul
This affordable subcompact crossover SUV comes with a host of features that are tailored to meet the diverse requirements of seniors. One should not be fooled by the Kia Soul’s small size; it offers abundant interior room, facilitating easy entry and exit from the car. The SUV also ensures excellent visibility, making it easy for seniors to maneuver in traffic. Its sticker price is $20,565, making it an attractive choice for seniors on a fixed income.
4. Subaru Crosstrek
It is a smaller alternative to the Subaru Forester. The Crosstrek has an easy-to-use infotainment system and a straightforward interior control layout. While it looks tiny on the outside, the interior seems spacious thanks to its low cabin and high roofline. The SUV has excellent outward visibility. Its wide door openings and elevated seat height are advantageous for seniors. All Crosstrek models come with an EyeSight driver assist package, which comprises:
- Evasive steering assistance
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-centering assist
- Lane-keeping assist
- Automatic emergency braking
The Sport and Premium trims include an optional package. It comprises safety features beneficial for seniors, including:
- Rear cross-traffic warning
- Blind-spot warning
The Wilderness and Limited trims come standard with these two attributes. Surprisingly, the rear automatic braking, a rarity in the subcompact segment, is also standard in the Wilderness and Limited trims. The SUV is available at a starting price of $26,540.
5. Toyota RAV4
This compact crossover SUV is another excellent choice for seniors as it ensures great outward visibility with its sizable windows. The car’s interior control layout is easy to use. But the tuning knob and touchscreen are placed slightly far from the driver.
While getting in and out of RAV4 is easy for the driver, the front passengers may struggle a bit as the seats are high and do not adjust much on most trims. While its infotainment system may look dated, it is easy to use for seniors. All trims come with Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of driver-assist features, which comprises:
- Lane centering
- Lane-keeping
- Automatic emergency braking
- Traffic sign reader
- Adaptive cruise control
In the XLE trim, additional safety features are part of the optional package, which include:
- Parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking
- Rear cross-traffic warning
The Limited and TRD trims offer optional safety packages, including a 360-degree camera system. The base variant of the SUV has a sticker price of $30,025.
